Category : General
Posted : Monday, September 20, 2021
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Medicare Enrollment Periods
With the Annual Election Period less than a month away, people in the Medicare space are gearing up for their busy season. Most people know that AEP falls between October 15 and December 7, but with all the different Medicare enrollment periods, it’s easy to get them mixed up. Even veteran agents make mistakes.
Let’s do a quick refresher on the different enrollment dates that Medicare recipients and agents need to be aware of.
To start, there are two sets of enrollment dates.
Medicare Advantage
Annual Election Period is a Medicare Advantage enrollment period. This means that anyone on Medicare can sign up for a new Medicare Advantage Plan or Prescription Drug Plan for the following year. All of the Medicare Advantage enrollment periods provide the opportunity for seniors to change to a new Advantage Plan (also known as Medicare Part C). These Medicare Advantage enrollment periods also offer the ability to change or start a Prescription Drug Plan (also known as Medicare Part D).
Traditional Medicare
Traditional Medicare enrollment dates are for those who need to start receiving benefits from Medicare regardless of their plan choice. These enrollment dates allow people to sign up for both Medicare Advantage and Traditional Medicare, as well as a Prescription Drug Plan.
Let’s take a look at all the different enrollment periods, when they are available and what opportunities they provide.
Medicare Advantage Enrollment Chart
Name | Time Available | Available Options | *Notes |
Annual Election Period (AEP) | October 15 - December 7 | 1. Switch from Traditional Medicare to Medicare Advantage
2. Choose a different Advantage Plan
3.Choose a different Prescription Drug Plan (if separate from Advantage Plan) | All choices made during AEP go into effect January 1st after the end of AEP. |
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period | January 1 - March 31 | 1. Choose a different Advantage Plan *Only if the plan was chosen during the previous AEP*
2. Choose a different Prescription Drug Plan (if separate from Advantage Plan) *Only if the plan was chosen during the previous AEP* | This enrollment period is exclusively for recipients to change their plan from what was chosen during the most recent Annual Election Period. |
Special Enrollment Period (Loss of Qualifying Coverage) | (See Below) | (See Below)
| This Special Enrollment Period overlaps with the Traditional Medicare Special Enrollment Period |
Special Enrollment Period (Change of Address) | 3 Months beginning the Month you move, and the 2 Months after. | 1. Choose a different Advantage plan
2. Choose a different Prescription Drug Plan (if separate from Advantage Plan) | Moving out of the coverage area for your Medicare Advantage plan puts you into this Special Enrollment Period |
Special Enrollment Period (Medicare/Medicaid Dual Eligibility) | Once during each of the following periods:
January 1- March 31
April 1 - June 30
July 1 - September 30
| 1. Choose a different Advantage plan
2. Choose a different Prescription Drug Plan (if separate from Advantage Plan)
3. Drop Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan | Dual eligible recipients have the opportunity to change plans 3 times per year, in addition to the Annual Election Period. |
Special Enrollment Period (Medicare Advantage Contract Change) | Case-by-case | 1. Choose a different Advantage plan
2. Choose a different Prescription Drug Plan (if separate from Advantage Plan) | Depending on the contract changes, recipients may be eligible for an immediate Special Enrollment Period, or a period extending two months after their plan is terminated |
Special Enrollment Period (Qualifying Coverage) | Any time Qualifying Coverage becomes available | 1.Drop Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Coverage | This Special Enrollment Period is available for those who can sign up for employer insurance coverage. |
Traditional Medicare Enrollment Chart
Name | Time Available | Available Options | *Notes |
Initial Enrollment Period | 7 Months beginning 3 Months before, the Month of, and 3 Months after your 65th birthday. | 1. Sign up for Medicare Parts A and B
1a. Add a Medicare Supplement Policy
2. Sign up for a Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plan.
3. Sign up for a Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) | There may be fees for those who enroll after their Initial Enrollment Period outside of a Special Enrollment Period |
General Enrollment Period | January 1 - March 31 | 1. Sign up for Medicare Parts A and B
1a. Add a Medicare Supplement Policy
2. Sign up for a Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plan
3. Sign up for a Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) | Those who enroll during General Enrollment may have to pay a late enrollment penalty. Qualifying coverage from an Employer or Spouse puts enrollees into a Special Enrollment Period separate from General Enrollment. |
Special Enrollment Period | 8 months following the loss of Qualifying Coverage | 1. Sign up for Medicare Parts A and B
1a. Add a medicare Supplement Policy
2. Sign up for a Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plan
3. Sign up for a Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) | Recipients qualify for a Special Enrollment Period when their own or their spouse’s employer coverage ends. |
