You may be familiar with Medicare enrollment periods. Your Initial Enrollment Period is when you first become eligible for Medicare and consists of three months before, the month of, and three months after your eligibility date. You’re likely also aware of the annual Open Enrollment Period from October 15 through December 7, which allows you to make changes to your Medicare plans. But, are you aware of SEPs – Special Enrollment Periods? We’re in one right now!
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment is each year from January 1 through March 31. If your existing plan doesn’t cover you as well as it did last year, or your doctor stopped accepting that carrier, you can make a change.
There are other SEPS, too, for special situations:
- Your address changes requiring a change of Medicare plans
- You lose current coverage (lose Medicaid, losing coverage from an employer or union, leaving the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE))
- You have a chance to get other coverage, such as through an employer, union, TRICARE, VA Coverage, or enrolling in PACE, you can drop your Medicare Advantage Plan
- If your carrier’s contract with Medicare is cancelled
- If you dropped a Medigap plan for Medicare Advantage and are still in the trial period for guaranteed issue to return to it
- If you gain or lose Medicaid, Extra Help, or other state assistance
Have questions? Give us a call. We’ll be happy to set an appointment to review your options. Michigan Medicare Assistance Program (MMAP) has offices in every Michigan county. Call 800-803-7174 for more information.
Bring the following to your appointment: Your Medicare card, a list of your prescriptions, a list of your doctors and healthcare facilities.
MMAP is a free Medicare counseling service provided to you via state and federal grants. MMAP is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from any insurance companies