When is the Open Enrollment Period in Bend, Oregon?
The annual Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7. During this time, you can:
- Switch from a private plan to Original coverage (or vice versa)
- Join, drop, or change a drug plan
- Review changes to your current coverage
Changes take effect on January 1 of the following year. If you miss this window, you may have to wait until the next enrollment period unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment.
What do Medicare Parts A and B actually cover?
These two parts form the foundation of federal health coverage:
- Part A: Covers inpatient care like hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, and hospice
- Part B: Covers outpatient care such as doctor visits, preventive services, and durable medical equipment
However, A and B do not include:
- Prescription drugs
- Dental, vision, or hearing services
- An out-of-pocket spending cap
Why do most people add coverage to A and B?
Original coverage leaves significant gaps. Most people choose to add a plan that helps cover:
- Deductibles and 20% coinsurance
- Prescription drugs
- Dental, vision, or hearing care
- A cap on total annual expenses
This can be done with either a Supplement plan (Medigap) or a bundled private plan that replaces A and B.
How does a supplement compare to a bundled private plan?
There are two main ways to add protection to your base coverage:
- Supplement Plan (Medigap):
- Works with Parts A and B
- Helps pay deductibles, coinsurance, and copays
- Requires a separate drug plan (Part D)
- Accepted by any provider who takes federal coverage
- Bundled Private Plan (Advantage):
- Replaces A and B
- Often includes drug coverage
- Adds benefits like dental, vision, or gym memberships
- Has a built-in annual spending limit
You can’t have both at the same time—you’ll choose one or the other.
What happens if I only enroll in Parts A and B?
If you enroll in A and B but don’t add additional coverage:
- You pay full price for prescriptions
- You cover 20% of most outpatient care
- There’s no cap on what you might spend out-of-pocket
- You miss out on coverage for dental, vision, and hearing
- You may face higher costs later if you delay adding coverage
This is why most people either add a Supplement plan or choose an Advantage plan from the start.
