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Medicare-Related Enrollment Dates and Guidelines

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Medicare Advantage and Stand Alone Prescription Drug Plans

 

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is October 15th to December 7th.

 

You have the opportunity to change your Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) plan to be in effect January 1 until December 31.

 

Plan changes are announced by carriers on October 1.

 

 

Between: October 1—October 14th  Review and Compare Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D Prescription Drug Plans.

 

Review any notices from your plan about changes for next year. To learn more about your options download Medicare and You 2022 from Medicare.gov's website using this URL in your browser:  https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-and-you.

 

Compare: In October, let's meet to find a plan that addresses your needs.

 

This is the one time of year when ALL people with Medicare can make changes to their health and prescription drug plans for the next year.

 

Between: October 15- December 7

 

  • Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
  • Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.
  • Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan.
  • Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage.
  • Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage.
  • Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
  • Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
  • Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.

January 1, 2020 — Your Coverage Begins

 

Your new coverage begins if you switched to a new plan.  If you stay with the same plan, any changes to coverage, benefits, or costs for the New Year will begin on January 1.

 

Between January 1–March 31, Open Enrollment Period Has Returned

 

If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO), you can leave your plan and switch to Original Medicare.  If you switch to Original Medicare during this period, you are able to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to add drug coverage, and you may choose to fill in the gaps caused by some of the costs Original Medicare may not cover with a Medicare Supplement Insurance Policy (often called a "Medigap" plan).  Your Prescription Drug Coverage will begin the first day of the month after the plan receives your enrollment form.  You can switch from a like plan to another like plan.  If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan and feel another Medicare Advantage Plan may better fit your needs, you may make a one time change only before March 31.

 

When to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance Policy (Medigap Insurance Policy)

 

The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which is the six month period that begins on the first day of the month in which you turn 65 or older and have enrolled in Part B.  (Some states have additional Open Enrollment Periods.)  After this enrollment period, you may not be able to buy a Medigap policy.  If you are able to buy one, it may cost more.

 

If you delay enrollment in Part B because you have group health coverage based on your (or your spouse's) current employment, your Medigap Open Enrollment Period won't start until you sign up for Part B.

 

If you have questions about enrollment, call me at 520-484-3807.  I am here to help.

 

By contacting the phone number on this website you will be directed to a licensed agent.

 

Source:  www.medicare.gov and Medicare and You 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

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