WELCOME CURRENT HEALTH INSURANCE CLIENTS!

MEDICARE ANNUAL OPEN ENROLLMENT

OCTOBER 1 – Medicare plan information available to the public (you may get your new plan information earlier in the mail in late Sept); however, we cannot share competitive information until 10/01. Medicare Supplement information may come at a later date.

OCTOBER 15 – DECEMBER 7 – You may switch your Medicare ADVANTAGE or Prescription Drug Plan for a 01/01 effective date. No health checks required. Note that Medicare SUPPLEMENTS have different rules and may require health underwriting for acceptance.
 
NON-MEDICARE (INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY PLAN) ANNUAL OPEN ENROLLMENT
 
NOVEMBER 1 – DECEMBER 15 - You should receive your renewal information near the end of October. You may switch by December 15 for a 01/01 effective date. There are often extensions so be sure to ask us if you need extra time. No health checks required to change plans.

You can always contact YOUR AGENT directly (email preferable at first) to check if your plan is still a good fit. Be sure to let us know your NAME and your INSURER'S name. Also let us know if you have been satisfied or not. If not, please be specific. If you are happy and simply checking in to be sure your plan is still competitive, let us know that too.
 
You can contact us at the email addresses below:

meganh@thecriterionagency.com for Medicare or individual or family plans

info@thecriterionagency.com for any general questions

Here are important elements of insurance to always check in your renewal packet:

Premium – be sure to locate your new premium.

Deductible – check any deductible amounts

Out-of-Pocket Maximum – this amount is VERY important because it tells you the MOST you will have to pay out in a calendar year for medical services and/or drugs.

Network & Drugs – have you received any network or drug change information that would impact you? The insurer may send that in a separate letter so keep an eye on your mail.

Co-Pays/Co-Insurance Amounts – check all amounts, particularly those you use.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Insurers should contact you directly during the open enrollment if you are currently using a clinic or drug that will not be covered or will experience a coverage change for next year. So, it is important to watch your mail throughout the open enrollment.

If you have questions or concerns on your renewal, let us know.

If you receive a renewal notice from the insurer, your plan should auto-renew for next year. You simply pay the new premium in late Dec or early Jan to continue your plan.

If for some reason you do not receive a renewal notice or are not sure about a renewal, be sure to contact us.

For NON-Medicare clients who use MNSure, be sure to follow any special instructions sent to you directly from MNSure and/or the insurer to keep your insurance in place.

It is our mission to follow-up with ALL clients within 48 business hours. If you do not get a reply within a few business days, be sure to re-contact us indicating that. You will go to the top of the list.

It is also our mission to service ALL clients during open enrollment despite it being a busy time. Over the years, we have effectively assisted clients over the phone, email, mail and in-person. Appointment times are limited so we appreciate clients working with us electronically, by telephone or mail when requests are straight-forward.

Feel free to go to your insurer’s website for “webinars” or community meeting dates that will review your CURRENT plan for next year. If you cannot find this information or would prefer help in finding it, let us know. If you want to consider another insurer, let us know if we can assist you. Presently, we represent Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, HealthPartners, Humana, Medica, UCare and UnitedHealthcare.

Two other great resources are Medicare (www.medicare.gov) for Medicare clients or MNSure (www.mnsure.org) for non-Medicare clients. They will show you all your options.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 74 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all your options.