Medicare Open Enrollment FAQ
Medicare’s health and prescription-drug plans can change from year to year, so it’s important to review your coverage during the annual Open Enrollment period to ensure your plan still meets your needs.
We encourage you to research health insurance options carefully to ensure you can use the full benefits of the plan and receive care from the doctor and hospital of your choice.
When is Medicare Open Enrollment?
Medicare Open Enrollment typically runs October through December each year.
During that time, Medicare recipients can make changes to their health and prescription drug coverage. Typical changes include switching back to Original Medicare (also known as Traditional Medicare); joining a Medicare Advantage Plan; switching from one plan to another; or joining or changing prescription drug plans.
This year's Medicare Open Enrollment ends Dec. 7, 2023. Any changes made during Open Enrollment will go into effect Jan. 1, 2024.
Which Medicare plans are contracted with BOTH Sarasota Memorial and First Physicians Group?
Original Medicare — Sarasota Memorial's Hospitals, outpatient and urgent care centers, and its First Physician Group practices always accept all Original Medicare and Medicare/Medigap standard supplemental plans.
Medicare Advantage — The vast majority of Medicare Advantage plans are HMOs or PPOs that require you to get your care from a specific local provider network. Sarasota Memorial's hospitals, outpatient and urgent care centers and First Physicians Group practices will be in-network with the following Medicare Advantage plans through Dec. 31, 2023:
- Aetna
- Alignment Health
- Florida Blue
- Freedom Health
- Optimum Healthcare
- Simply
- United Healthcare
Medicare Select — We are not a network provider for Medicare Select supplemental plans. Medicare Select members may choose Sarasota Memorial for their care, but depending on your plan’s benefits, you may be responsible for the Part A deductible for non-emergency hospital care.
PLEASE NOTE: Humana Medicare PPO is contracted with First Physicians Group practices but NOT with Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Click here for more information on Medicare plans.
* This information is not a solicitation and is not intended to persuade you to make any changes to your relationship with any health insurer. *