By Greg Durette

Now that the Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) is over (ended December 7th), you can finally take a breather from all those ads, phone calls and mailers. Come January 1st, you will have a chance to try out your new Medicare Advantage, Supplement and/or Prescription plan.

If you suddenly discover the plan you selected during the AEP is not right for you, all is not lost. You will get one more bite at the apple to make changes to your plan.

As with many situations, in order to get a good outcome, you first have to ask the right questions. In this case, the questions you should ask first are:

• Did you sign up for a new Advantage Plan or a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan during the last Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)?

• Do you have an existing Advantage Plan or a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan that renewed with a January 1st effective date?

If the answer to either of these questions is yes, then the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is very important to you.

The OEP runs annually from January 1st to March 31st.

During this time, Advantage plan holders are given the option to make certain changes to the plan they selected in the AEP.

These allowed changes are:

• Cancel your stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan.
• Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare (A & B only).
• Enroll in a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
• Elect to change from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another.

Let’s a look at each option a bit deeper. First, why would someone elect to cancel their stand-alone Part D prescription plan? The only reason one could have would be it was being replaced by other qualifying coverage. If you cancel without replacing, penalties will accrue and be waiting for you when you do put this coverage back in place at a later date. Plus, those penalties will be with you for life!

Second, there are a few rare circumstances when it makes sense for someone to cancel an Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare known as Part A and Part B. Usually, this would have something to do with provider networks which are insufficient for the beneficiary. Again, this rare circumstance would require you to also enroll in a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan in order to avoid accruing the future penalties I just mentioned.

Again, enrolling in a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan is a requirement if you do not have qualifying coverage elsewhere and want to avoid those penalties. If you neglected to get that done during the AEP, now is the time to take care of this.

Last, some folks have a change of heart once they see the detailed materials of the Advantage plan they enrolled in during the AEP. Perhaps you find your HMO plan does not have the providers you need but, a PPO plan does. Or, perhaps the terms of coverage are better in a plan different from your current plan. Maybe, another plan costs less (or even $0!).

You don’t need any reason to switch plans provided you do so before the OEP expires on March 31st. Just remember, you only get one chance to make this change. Once you do, you will have to keep that plan until the next AEP, which begins on October 15th of every year.

The best options for your particular situation should be thoroughly discussed with your insurance agent/broker to make sure you have all the facts about the choices you may be thinking about and, get all your questions answered.

Greg Durette is a qualified, licensed agent with Florida Health Connector providing Medicare throughout the state and is based in Niceville. He has been in the insurance industry for over 38 years and can be reached at his office at (850) 842-2400 or his mobile at (978) 509-2941.

By Amy Milligan, CRYO850 Performance & Recovery

As we relish our holiday fare, most of us are rolling into 2022 with a list of New Year’s goals. Drink less. Eat better. Exercise more. Lose a few pounds. STAY HEALTHY. If health is on your mind, CRYO850 is a unique, locally owned spot in Destin worth visiting. While cryotherapy is at the heart of the center, you’ll find a long list of drug-free services beyond the cold. While everything is offered a la carte, most take advantage of the The Wellness Circuit which offers access to six therapies including: Infrared Sauna, Red Light Therapy, Whole Body Cryotherapy, Localized Spot Treatment Cryo, Vibration Plates and Compression Therapy. Membership offers access to the Circuit on a consistent basis. Visitors and first-time guests can enjoy the same services via a day, week or two-week pass. Beyond the Circuit, Pagani Muscle Recovery Therapy is a favorite for sore and strained muscles. Alternating hot and cold application creates the same healing as hours with heat and cold packs. For additional pain management and relief, the all-new Cocoon Fitness POD takes recovery to a higher level with combined heat, light and full body vibration.

For a combined treatment of both health and esthetics, try our Pagani Detoxing. This popular body contouring treatment eliminates toxic subcutaneous fat and shaves off inches for both a slimmer and healthier body. Combine with sessions in the Cocoon Fitness POD to move the lymphatic system and you’ll see exponential results! Interested in weight loss? Studies show a visit to the cryo chamber burns anywhere from 400-800 calories. If you are looking to retain or regain that youthful glow, Pagani Collagen Enhancement Facials and Cryo Facials keep the skin taunt and young with the glow we all love. We’ve also seen great results with skin tightening and cellulite reduction.

CRYO850 is extending a handful of Holiday Specials to Bay Life! readers through the month of January including the $99 Unlimited Cryotherapy or Unlimited Red Light Therapy starting at $99/month and 20% off all traditional memberships. You can also save $50 on a Day Pass for Two.

Call (850) 279-4145 or visit www.cryo850.com for more information.