Medicare（紅藍卡）開放註冊期正在進行中。我們挑選了關於這個主題的幾個問題，並希望在本月的專欄中分享這些資訊。我們還補充了一個問題，希望能夠解決許多人對於COVID-19疫苗的困惑。
問題1：為什麼我需要每年在Medicare開放註冊期檢查我的Medicare醫保計畫？
如果您不採取任何行動，您現有的計畫將在2024年續訂，但這可能包含費用和福利的變化。您的計畫覆蓋範圍可能變化，您的醫療需求也可能變化。這就是為什麼您需要在這個期間檢查您當前的計畫，即便您對當前的計畫感到滿意。請檢查將在一月份生效的保險覆蓋範圍、費用、藥物目錄等內容。考慮一下您的醫療保健和/或處方藥的需求以及醫療費用，以確認當前計畫是否在下一年繼續滿足您的需求。請記住，在Medicare開放註冊期截止（12月7日）前執行此操作。
問題2：我在今年的初始註冊期加入了Medicare優勢計畫，但我打算明年去其他州旅行，所以我想更換到原有的Medicare。我該如何進行更換？
您應該聯繫您當前的醫保計畫取消您的註冊，並在Medicare開放註冊期間聯繫Medicare辦公室（1-800-633-4227）。告知Medicare您的計畫變更有助於確保平穩過渡和正確協調您的醫保福利。更改將在第二年的1月1日生效。原有的Medicare不提供任何額外的福利，比如您在Medicare優勢計畫中可能享有的藥物、牙科或視力保險。如果您想要進行這種更換並需要藥物保險，請務必註冊Medicare獨立的處方藥計畫。如果您不及時註冊卻在之後決定註冊處方藥計畫，您可能需要等待下一個開放註冊期並面臨延遲註冊的罰款。您還可以考慮購買Medicare補充保險政策，也就是Medigap，以幫助支付您在原有的Medicare下的共用成本要求。您還可以在Medicare優勢計畫開放註冊期（1月1日至3月31日）從Medicare優勢計畫切換回原有的Medicare。
問題3：如果我在Medicare開放註冊期不小心更改至錯誤的醫保計畫，我應當如何糾正？
如果Medicare開放註冊期仍在進行：您可以在12月7日截止日期前選擇另一個計畫，新選擇將於1月1日生效。
如果Medicare開放註冊期已結束：您可以在Medicare優勢計畫開放註冊期（1月1日至3月31日）選擇另一個優勢計畫或切換回原有的Medicare和D部分計畫。如果您已經註冊了一個不適合您需求的獨立D部分計畫，您的選擇將更有限——您通常只能在秋季的Medicare開放註冊期更改這些計畫。
問題4：我已經接種了COVID-19疫苗，最後一次接種是在2023年1月。我是否仍需要再接種一劑COVID-19疫苗？
和流感病毒類似，COVID-19病毒會隨著時間的推移發生變化。更新的疫苗已經被研發出來，並於2023年9月11日獲得FDA批准。這種新疫苗針對目前流行的COVID-19變種為人們提供更好的保護，並從2023年9月底開始提供接種。如果您最後一次接種是在2023年9月之前，請接種新疫苗。您可以在一次就診中同時接種COVID-19疫苗和其他疫苗，包括流感疫苗。與其他疫苗一起接種後可能出現的副作用通常與單獨接種時相同。
如果您有關於Medicare（紅藍卡）、Medicaid（白卡）、平價醫療法案健康保險市場、社會保障退休金、補充保障收入或COVID/流感疫苗的任何問題，您可以通過以下三種方式聯繫我們：
電話留言：
中文普通話：1-800-683-742
中文粵語：1-800-582-4218
英語：1-800-336-2722
電子郵件：askNAPCA@napca.org
郵寄地址：NAPCA Senior Assistance Center, 1511 3rd Avenue, Suite 914, Seattle, WA 98101
全美亞太裔耆老中心（NAPCA）是一家非營利組織，致力於提高AANHPI年長者及其家庭的生活品質。我們運營著一個年長者幫助中心，提供五種不同語言的服務。
Medicare Open Enrollment Period is ongoing. We chose several questions about this subject and want to share the information in this month’s column. We added one question to address the areas where many people are confused about the COVID-19 vaccine more clearly. If you have additional questions on Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace, Social Security Retirement Benefit, Supplemental Security Income, or COVID/Flu vaccination, there are 3 ways you can reach us today:
Call: (English) 1-800-336-2722, (Chinese Mandarin) 1-800-683-742, (Chinese Cantonese) 1-800-582-4218,
(Korean) 1-800-582-4259, (Vietnamese) 1-800-582-4336
Email: askNAPCA@napca.org
Mail: NAPCA Senior Assistance Center, 1511 3rd Avenue, Suite 914, Seattle, WA 98101
<Q1> Why do I need to check my Medicare plan every year during the Open Enrollment Period and how do I check my plan?
If you don’t take any action, your existing plan will be renewed for 2024. But that could come with cost and benefit changes. Your plans’ coverage may change, and your health care needs may have changed, too. This is why it’s important to check-up on your current plan during the period even if you’re happy with your current plan. Your plan will send you a “Plan Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC) each fall. If you don’t get this important document, contact your plan. The ANOC includes any changes in coverage, costs, and more that will be effective in January. Review any coverage changes including drug formulary. Think about any changes to your healthcare and/or prescription drug needs, and healthcare expenses to decide whether the plan will continue to meet your needs in the next year. Just remember to do so before Medicare Open Enrollment ends on December 7.
<Q2> I signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan during my Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) this year, but I would like to change it to Original Medicare because I plan to travel to different states throughout the next year. How can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare?
You should contact your current plan to cancel your enrollment and call MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) during the Medicare Open Enrollment period. The change will take effect on January 1 of the following year. Original Medicare does not provide any additional benefits such as drug coverage, dental, or vision you may have with your Medicare Advantage plan. If you make this switch and you want drug coverage, be sure to sign up for a Medicare stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP). If you do not, and you decide to sign up for Part D coverage later, you may need to wait for another year until the next Open Enrollment Period and face a penalty for late enrollment. You may also want to consider purchasing a Medicare supplemental insurance policy, known as Medigap, that helps to pay your cost-sharing requirements under Original Medicare. You also can switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31).
<Q3> If I make a mistake when I change my coverage during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, what can I do to fix it?
If the Medicare OEP is ongoing: you can simply pick a different plan instead (by the December 7 deadline) and the new choice will take effect on January 1.
If the Medicare OEP has ended: you can use the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MAOEP, Jan 1~Mar 31) to pick a different Advantage plan or switch to Original Medicare and a Part D plan. If you’ve enrolled in a stand-alone Part D plan that doesn’t fit your needs, your options are more limited. Changes to these plans can generally only be made during the fall Medicare OEP.
<Q4> I have already received COVID-19 vaccines and the last vaccination was in January 2023. Do I still need to get another COVID-19 vaccine?
Like Flu virus, the virus that causes COVID-19 has changed over time. A new vaccine has been developed and was approved by the FDA on September 11, 2023. The new vaccine provides better protection against the currently prevalent COVID-19 variant and is available for administration starting from late September 2023. If your last vaccine was before September 2023, please get this new vaccine. You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including a Flu vaccine, at the same visit. Possible side effects after getting vaccinated are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines.
National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of AANHPI older adults and their families. We operate a NAPCA Senior Assistance Center for Older Adults and Caregivers and is available in 5 different languages.
