Medicare Eligible Tennesseans Can Still Switch Plans With Five-Star Plan Opt-In

Even though the annual enrollment period for 2024 has ended December 7, 2023, individuals who are eligible for Medicare may be able to opt-in to a top-rated Medicare Advantage plan.

You can use a Special Election Period designed for those who live in areas with a Five-Star Medicare Advantage Plan. These plans offer the highest level of overall Quality and performance in member experience, chronic condition management, and preventive services. The best thing is that because these plans are five-star plans, Medicare-eligible individuals can enroll throughout the year.

Five-Star Medicare Advantage plans earn their five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This special election period lasts until November 30, 2024, allowing Tennesseeans currently enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or a Medicare Advantage plan to have the opportunity to switch to a five-star plan in their area.

The catch is that you can make this change one time, meaning you will have to wait to make further changes during that Annual Election Period which currently runs from October 15th to December 7th.

What Do The Stars Mean?

CMS goes right to the source, the consumer, and allows them to speak their mind with an unbiased comparison of all the Medicare Advantage plans available to them and rating those plans on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Five-star plans are the cream of the crop and are considered "excellent," with very few plans raking in this top-tier ranking award.

The scores are averaged together to calculate the overall star rating, which evaluates a comprehensive assessment of 40 different touch points. These 40 measures include preventive screenings, medication adherence, member health outcomes, and patient experiences. Star ratings, regardless of how many stars are received are presented with each plan. You also can get more information from the CMS.gov website.

How Can You Find Five-Star Plans?

In Tennesse, there are several options available among different carriers. The easiest way to find the plan that will work with your unique situation is to speak with a licensed local broker. With a broker, you can compare plans and gain an objective view of the plans that could work well with your needs.

You also get a personalized no-rush, no-obligation quote during your appointment which allows you the time needed to assess what is important to you in the plan and some features that you may not even known were available to you. Even look up your doctors and prescriptions to make sure you are covered and have confidence in the plan you choose.