Cathy Parvino
medicare Enrollment Windows
Upon enrolling in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, you’ll be given a choice between Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), consolidating these coverages. Part D (prescription drug) coverage can be added to either option.
It’s important to note that your initial choices aren’t permanent. Medicare provides opportunities for plan changes based on individual circumstances.
Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
Allows beneficiaries to review and adjust their plan selections yearly. Taking place between October 15th and December 7th, this period provides for changes to Part C (Advantage) or Part D (prescription) plans.
During this timeframe, you can:
- Transition from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Revert from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare.
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
- Enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan.
- Cancel your existing Part D prescription drug plan.
- Adjust the specifics of your Part D prescription drug plan as needed.
Open enrollment period
The Medicare open enrollment period is from October 15th to December 7th every year. This is the time when people with Medicare can make changes to their health plans, like switching to a different plan or adding prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment offers a chance for reconsideration of your Medicare Advantage Plan choices from January 1st to March 31st.
This period allows adjustments such as:
- Transitioning from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
- Reverting from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
- Enrolling in a Part D prescription plan.
- Opting out of a Part D prescription plan.
While switching back to Original Medicare from a Medicare Advantage plan is possible, securing a Medigap plan might not be guaranteed. It’s important to note that carriers can decline enrollment based on their screening processes.
What options are available to modify your plan outside of these specified periods?
Under specific circumstances, such as relocation or the termination of coverage, you may become eligible for a Special Enrollment Period lasting two months. Within this window, adjustments to your Medicare plan(s) can be made.
For instance, moving to a different geographic location where your current plan’s network isn’t accessible might trigger eligibility for a Special Enrollment Period.
During this designated time frame, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage or Part D plan or revert to Original Medicare without facing any penalties. Additionally, under certain conditions, you may have the opportunity to enroll in a Medigap plan without undergoing medical underwriting, a process known as guaranteed issue rights.
Should you suspect that you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, it’s advisable to promptly reach out to your plan administrator following the qualifying event. We are available to assist you through this process.
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