You can only enroll or change your Medicare plan during enrollment periods.
The US government provides Original Medicare Part A (hospital) and Part B (doctors and medical care). Original Medicare Part A and Part B have some potentially expensive coverage gaps and no cap on out of pocket expenses.
The solution? Four types of optional plans fill those gaps cost-effectively.
- Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
- Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNP)
- Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D)
Each of the four types of plans has rules for changing your plan. Keep reading for enrollment information. There are exceptions, so contact us if you have questions.
- Initial Medicare Enrollment Period for Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement plans, and Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) Plans
- Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans
- General Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans
- Special Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans
- Medicare Supplement Enrollment and Changes
This video provides useful facts about the timing of your initial enrollment in Medicare.
Keep reading to get the basic facts about each enrollment period. There are many exceptions and details. If in doubt, contact us for answers.
Initial Medicare Enrollment for Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans, and Medicare Prescription (Part D) Plans
Enroll in Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, and either a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Supplement plan, and a Medicare Prescription Drug plan near your 65th birthday.
- Up to 3 months before you turn 65 (effective the first day of your birthday month)
- During your 65th birthday month (effective the first day of the month following enrollment)
- Up to 3 months after you turn 65 (effective the first day of the month following enrollment)
Don’t delay enrolling in Original Medicare A and B. If you wait, Medicare may add a lifetime penalty to your premium. The longer you wait, the higher the penalty.
It’s important to consider enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, a Medicare Dual Special Needs Plan, or a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan and a Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan. These policies fill costly gaps in Original Medicare A and B; many Medicare Advantage plans have zero premium.
Contact us now for answers to your questions. The call is free, and there is no obligation to enroll – you will get the facts and learn more about your options so you can decide what’s best for you.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
Every year from October 15 – December 7
Contact us for a free, no-obligation Medicare Advantage plan review every year, even if you are happy with your policy. Your health, lifestyle, or preferences may have changed. Maybe you are taking a new prescription, are going to the gym, seeing a healthcare provider for preventative care or treatment. The right Medicare Advantage policy can save you money. Policy premiums change, too. If your premium goes up, we can likely find a similar policy with a different carrier that has a lower premium.
Contact us to get a free review to ensure your policy benefits meet your needs and that you aren’t paying too much.
Medicare Advantage General Enrollment Period
Every year from January 1 – March 31
Suppose you missed the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period or didn’t like the policy you selected during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. In that case, you can change your plan during the general enrollment period.
Medicare Advantage Special Enrollment Period
Under certain circumstances, you can change your Medicare Advantage policy outside of the open and general enrollment periods.
- Move to a new address outside your plan’s service area
- Move to a new address and are eligible for other plans
- Move into, live in, or move out of an institution such as a skilled nursing facility or long-term care hospital
- Are released from jail
- You lose your current medical coverage, including Medicaid, employer coverage, union coverage, PACE plan, etc.
- You have an opportunity to enroll in health insurance offered by your employer, your union, PACE, etc.
- Your plan changes its contract with Medicare
- And more
Contact us to discuss your situation to see if you qualify to enroll or change your plan during a special enrollment period.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan Enrollment Periods
There are some restrictions to changing your Medicare Supplement policy. There are three primary types of exceptions.
- You are inside your Medicare Supplement six-month open enrollment period
- You are eligible due to a special circumstance
- Your health insurance plan changes or stops offering you coverage
There are many other exceptions, too. If you want to change your Medicare Supplement plan but none of the above apply to you, contact us to talk with a licensed sales agent; there is no cost and no obligation. In most cases, we find an exception and help folks to change their plan. We will do our best for you, too.
Contact us today to talk with a licensed sales agent. It’s free, and there’s no obligation. Our licensed sales agents are ready to answer your questions about changing your Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Medicare Dual Special Needs Plan, or Medicare Prescription Drug plan.