By Mark Moran - Producer-Editor, Contact - Supported by/Underwritten
Big Sky Connection - The open enrollment period to sign up for Medicare, or make changes to supplemental and drug plans runs until Dec. 7. In 2025, Medicare recipients will have their out-of-pocket prescription drug costs capped at $2,000 a year, which is a change from current policy. In Montana, to buy insurance through the federal marketplace, the enrollment period starts this Friday (Nov. 1) and runs through Jan. 15, 2025. Comments from Montana Deputy Insurance Commissioner Frank Cote (COE-tay); and Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer UnitedHealthcare, employer and individual.
Click on the image above for the audio. Montana's open enrollment period to purchase insurance on the federal marketplace runs from this Friday, Nov. 1, to Jan. 15, 2025. (Adobe Stock)Montana's open enrollment period to purchase insurance on the federal marketplace runs from this Friday, Nov. 1, to Jan. 15, 2025. (Adobe Stock)
Mark Moran
October 28, 2024 - People have the opportunity to enroll in Medicare, or change their supplemental coverage, between now and December 7.
In Montana, insurance experts remind people to check their options when enrolling in standard health-care plans, too.
Montana Medicare recipients will have a $2,000 out-of-pocket cap on prescription drug costs.
Montana's open enrollment period to sign up for coverage on the federal marketplace runs from this Friday to January 15 of next year.
Deputy Insurance Commissioner Frank Cote said for people shopping for plans, it's important to understand which providers are in different health-care networks.
"Are they a broad network that encompasses most of the physicians and hospitals across the state?" said Cote. "Or are they a narrow network that, for instance, only covers one hospital in Billings, or one hospital in Missoula?"
There is a video tutorial on how to enroll on the State of Montana website.
Chief Medical Officer UnitedHealthcare - Employer and Individual - Dr. Rhonda Randall added that beyond understanding which providers are in network, it's also important to check existing insurance plans - because the benefits can change from year to year.
"Are your current benefit plans still meeting your healthcare needs and your budget needs, and has anything changed with your plan?" said Randall. "For example, is your doctor still in the plan? Is the medication you take still covered by the plan?"
Randall and other providers reminded people to look for mental health coverage options in their insurance plan, too.
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