When to Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan
Important Dates and Information About When You Can Enroll
Picking the right type of health care or prescription drug coverage can be tricky, especially when you have so many more choices.
Depending on what type of plan you want to enroll in, the time of year it is, and when you became eligible for Medicare Part A or B, your options may be limited. Keep reading to find out what the rules are for the Medicare enrollment periods.
Medicare Advantage Plans – Enrollment Periods
If you recently became eligible for Medicare, through age or disability, you generally have the option to apply for coverage in a Medicare Advantage plan close to the date when your Medicare Part A or B coverage starts.
Your coverage can't start before your Part A and B coverage begins. However, you generally have a period of seven months to apply for coverage in a Medicare Advantage plan.
- For Medicare Advantage plans you can apply for coverage three months before, the month of, or three months after your Medicare Part A and B coverage starts. You must be enrolled in both Part A and Part B.
If you didn't recently become eligible for Medicare, your options are different depending on the time of year.
October 15 – December 7 – Annual Election Period:
The Annual Election Period runs from October 15 through December 7 of each year. This is known as the "AEP." During this time, Medicare beneficiaries may change and/or enroll in a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan, Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare. Changes you make during this period will take effect on January 1.
January 1 – February 14 – Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (MADP):
Beginning in 2012, Medicare beneficiaries that have a Medicare Advantage plan can return to Original Medicare, but will no longer be able to switch Medicare Advantage carriers during this time. Medicare beneficiaries may enroll in a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP), which may cause termination of their Medicare Advantage plan.
February 15 – October 14 – "Lock-in" Period:
Between February 15 and October 14 of each year, Medicare beneficiaries cannot switch coverage. This time is referred to as the "lock-in" period. During this period, you generally must stay with your current coverage until January 1, when any new coverage you choose between October 15 and December 7 begins.
In certain situations, beneficiaries may be able to join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage HMO plan or a Prescription Drug Plan during a Special Election Period (SEP). If you have any questions, please contact our Member Services department at 1-800-794-5907. If you use a TTY device, please call 711. We are open 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. From February 15 until the following Annual Election Period (AEP), you may leave us a voice mail message after-hours, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and we will return your call the next business day.
Examples of special circumstances include, but are not limited to individuals:
- Who recently moved
- Who enter, reside in or leave a nursing home
- Who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid
- Who qualify for extra help
- Who are disenrolling from an Employer Group Health Plan
- Who involuntarily lost creditable prescription drug coverage
Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply.