The Benefits Office has announced that the 2000 Medicare supplement plans open enrollment period will be November 1-30. Those enrolled do not need to do anything to remain in their current Medicare supplement plan. Changes made during this period will take effect on January 1, 2000.
In past years, MIT has offered the Medicare supplement plans open enrollment in March. This year, this additional enrollment period will occur in November for a January 1, 2000 effective date. Hereafter, the annual Medicare supplement plans open enrollment period will be held in November instead of March.
An information packet has been sent to all current participants. Those who do not receive a package by the end of this week and think they should have may call the Benefits Office at x3-6151 or e-mail benefits-www@mit.edu.
The deadline for submitting the forms to change plans is November 30. To obtain detailed plan information and enrollment forms, contact the Benefits Office. Information will be mailed on the next business day. Details about the Medicare supplement plans open enrollment are available on the Benefits Office web site.
Those who are currently enrolled in Medicare supplement plans and anyone nearing Medicare eligibility are invited to attend one of the seminars listed below. The sessions will provide information on Medicare and the supplement plans available through MIT. After the presentation, representatives of each plan will be available for individual consultation. The seminars will be held on the following dates:
- Wednesday, Nov. 3 -- 9:30am-noon, Rm E19-758, Conference Room A
- Tuesday, Nov. 9 -- 9:30am-noon, Lincoln Laboratory Rm S2-180
- Wednesday, Nov. 17 -- 10am-12:30pm, Marriott Hotel in Burlington.
A representative from the Federal Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) will provide preliminary information on a new set of health plan options that may be available in 2000. The new options are called "Medicare+Choice" or "Medicare Part C." They are designed to supplement the current Medicare program.
The new Medicare options do not change people's ability to choose an MIT-sponsored supplement plan. HCFA will mail Medicare beneficiaries a description of the new plan choices.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on October 20, 1999.
