ATLANTA – Medicare open enrollment has started for eligible Georgians to get help finding the right plan with SHIP.

Release:

Medicare open enrollment has begun and continues until Dec. 7, 2024. This is the time for anyone eligible to join, switch, or drop a Medicare health plan or prescription drug coverage to better meet their needs in 2025. Georgia’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), administered by the Georgia Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Aging Services (DAS), is offering free, unbiased counseling to help Georgians with Medicare understand their benefits and make informed decisions about their health care options.

Individuals over the age of 65, under the age of 65 with a permanent disability, or those with end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, may be eligible for Medicare coverage. Medicare costs, benefits, and providers can change each year so comparing options could help eligible Georgians find better coverage or save money.

During Medicare open enrollment, Medicare recipients can:

• Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (or add or drop drug coverage)
• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
• Join a Medicare drug plan if they receive Original Medicare
• Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another if they receive Original Medicare

Georgia DHS encourages current Medicare recipients, or newly eligible Georgians, to:

• Review any information received from their current plan, including the “Annual Notice of Change” letter, to learn how costs and benefits may change in 2025
• Visit medicare.gov/plan-compare to review the list of plans available in Georgia
• Review plan benefits and confirm acceptance by their health care providers
• Check plan drug lists for current medications
• Contact Georgia SHIP at 1-866-552-4464, option 4, to speak to a certified Medicare counselor Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Medicare coverage choices made during open enrollment will take effect Jan. 1, 2025. For more information about Georgia SHIP and other services available to older Georgians and their families, visit aging.georgia.gov/georgia-ship.