Joining A Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug or Medigap Plan
When To Join A Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan
There are only certain times during the year when you can join, drop of switch a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan. To be eligible to join a plan, you must:
- Have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Part B (Medical Insurance).
- Live in the service area of the plan you want to join.
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the U.S.
- Have your Medicare Number and your Part A and/or Part B coverage start dates.
Enrollment Periods When You Can Join, Drop or Switch A Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan:
| Enrollment period: | You can: | Coverage starts: |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Enrollment Period (new to Medicare). Starts 3 months before you get Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) and ends 3 months after you get Medicare. | Join any plan. You need both Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) to join a Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage. You need either Part A or Part B to join a Medicare drug plan. | Varies, depending on when the plan gets your request: If you request to join a plan before your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts: Your plan coverage starts the same day as when your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts. If you request to join a plan after your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts: Your plan coverage starts the first of the month after the plan gets your request. |
| Initial Enrollment Period – New to Part B (only applies if your Part A coverage has already started and you add Part B). Starts 3 months before the month you’re first eligible for both Part A and Part B. You’ll have 2 months after you get both Part A and Part B for the first time to join a plan. | Join any Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage. | The month after you join the plan. |
| Open Enrollment Period October 15-December 7. | Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage (or add or drop drug coverage). Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan or from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare. Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare drug plan if you’re in Original Medicare. | January 1 of the next year (the plan must get your enrollment request by December 7). |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (only if you’re already in a Medicare Advantage Plan) January 1-March 31. Within the first 3 months you get Medicare | Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage. Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare. You'll also be able to join a separate Medicare drug plan. | First of the month after the plan gets your request. |
| Special Enrollment Period Varies. Only for certain situations that happen in your life, like moving to a new address, losing or changing your current coverage, getting Medicaid, or getting Extra Help to pay drug costs. | Depending on your situation: Join a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or Medicare drug plan Switch to another plan If you sign up for Part A and/or Part B during a Special Enrollment Period because of an exceptional situation, you’ll have 2 months to join a plan or switch to another plan. | Varies. Generally, the first of the month after the plan gets your request. |
Source: Medicare.gov
When To Join A Medicare Supplement (a.k.a. "Medigap") Plan
Your best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. Your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the first month you have Medicare Part B and you’re 65 or older. This is a one-time enrollment period; it doesn’t repeat every year. Some states have additional Open Enrollment Periods, including those for people under 65. If you’re under 65 and have Medicare because of a disability or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you might not be able to buy the Medigap policy you want, or any Medigap policy, until you turn 65.
During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you can:
• Enroll in any Medigap policy sold in your state. An insurance company can't refuse to sell you any Medigap policy it offers. They also can’t use medical underwriting to decide whether to accept your application or deny you coverage due to pre-existing health problems.
• Generally get better prices and more choices among policies. An insurancecompany can’t charge you more for a Medigap policy if you have health problems.
• Have your coverage start right away. An insurance company can’t make you wait, except for coverage related to a pre-existing condition.
• A pre-existing condition is a health problem you have before the date a new insurance policy starts. In some cases, the Medigap insurance company can refuse to cover your out of pocket costs for these pre-existing health problems for up to 6 months. This is called a “pre-existing condition waiting period.” After 6 months, the Medigap policy will cover the pre-existing condition.
• Coverage for a pre-existing condition can only be excluded if the condition was treated or diagnosed within 6 months before your Medigap policy coverage starts. This is called the “look-back period.” Remember: Original Medicare will still cover the condition for Medicare-covered services, even if the Medigap policy won’t, but you’re responsible for the Medicare coinsurance or copayment.
• Avoid or shorten waiting periods for a pre-existing condition if you buy a Medigap policy to replace certain other kinds of health coverage that counts as creditable coverage.
• Creditable coverage is generally any other health coverage you recently had before applying for a Medigap policy. If you’ve had at least 6 months of continuous prior creditable coverage, the Medigap insurance company can’t make you wait before it covers your pre-existing condition.
Source: CMS Guide To Choosing A Medigap Policy
Joining A Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug or Medigap Plan
When To Join A Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan
There are only certain times during the year when you can join, drop of switch a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan. To be eligible to join a plan, you must:
- Have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Part B (Medical Insurance).
- Live in the service area of the plan you want to join.
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the U.S.
- Have your Medicare Number and your Part A and/or Part B coverage start dates.
Enrollment Periods When You Can Join, Drop or Switch A Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan:
| Enrollment period: | You can: | Coverage starts: |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Enrollment Period (new to Medicare). Starts 3 months before you get Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) and ends 3 months after you get Medicare. | Join any plan. You need both Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) to join a Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage. You need either Part A or Part B to join a Medicare drug plan. | Varies, depending on when the plan gets your request: If you request to join a plan before your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts: Your plan coverage starts the same day as when your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts. If you request to join a plan after your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts: Your plan coverage starts the first of the month after the plan gets your request. |
| Initial Enrollment Period – New to Part B (only applies if your Part A coverage has already started and you add Part B). Starts 3 months before the month you’re first eligible for both Part A and Part B. You’ll have 2 months after you get both Part A and Part B for the first time to join a plan. | Join any Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage. | The month after you join the plan. |
| Open Enrollment Period October 15-December 7. | Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage (or add or drop drug coverage). Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan or from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare. Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare drug plan if you’re in Original Medicare. | January 1 of the next year (the plan must get your enrollment request by December 7). |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (only if you’re already in a Medicare Advantage Plan) January 1-March 31. Within the first 3 months you get Medicare | Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage. Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare. You'll also be able to join a separate Medicare drug plan. | First of the month after the plan gets your request. |
| Special Enrollment Period Varies. Only for certain situations that happen in your life, like moving to a new address, losing or changing your current coverage, getting Medicaid, or getting Extra Help to pay drug costs. | Depending on your situation: Join a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or Medicare drug plan Switch to another plan If you sign up for Part A and/or Part B during a Special Enrollment Period because of an exceptional situation, you’ll have 2 months to join a plan or switch to another plan. | Varies. Generally, the first of the month after the plan gets your request. |
Source: Medicare.gov
When To Join A Medicare Supplement (a.k.a. "Medigap") Plan
Your best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. Your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the first month you have Medicare Part B and you’re 65 or older. This is a one-time enrollment period; it doesn’t repeat every year. Some states have additional Open Enrollment Periods, including those for people under 65. If you’re under 65 and have Medicare because of a disability or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you might not be able to buy the Medigap policy you want, or any Medigap policy, until you turn 65.
During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you can:
• Enroll in any Medigap policy sold in your state. An insurance company can't refuse to sell you any Medigap policy it offers. They also can’t use medical underwriting to decide whether to accept your application or deny you coverage due to pre-existing health problems.
• Generally get better prices and more choices among policies. An insurancecompany can’t charge you more for a Medigap policy if you have health problems.
• Have your coverage start right away. An insurance company can’t make you wait, except for coverage related to a pre-existing condition.
• A pre-existing condition is a health problem you have before the date a new insurance policy starts. In some cases, the Medigap insurance company can refuse to cover your out of pocket costs for these pre-existing health problems for up to 6 months. This is called a “pre-existing condition waiting period.” After 6 months, the Medigap policy will cover the pre-existing condition.
• Coverage for a pre-existing condition can only be excluded if the condition was treated or diagnosed within 6 months before your Medigap policy coverage starts. This is called the “look-back period.” Remember: Original Medicare will still cover the condition for Medicare-covered services, even if the Medigap policy won’t, but you’re responsible for the Medicare coinsurance or copayment.
• Avoid or shorten waiting periods for a pre-existing condition if you buy a Medigap policy to replace certain other kinds of health coverage that counts as creditable coverage.
• Creditable coverage is generally any other health coverage you recently had before applying for a Medigap policy. If you’ve had at least 6 months of continuous prior creditable coverage, the Medigap insurance company can’t make you wait before it covers your pre-existing condition.
Source: CMS Guide To Choosing A Medigap Policy
Joining A Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug or Medigap Plan
When To Join A Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan
There are only certain times during the year when you can join, drop of switch a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan. To be eligible to join a plan, you must:
- Have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Part B (Medical Insurance).
- Live in the service area of the plan you want to join.
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the U.S.
- Have your Medicare Number and your Part A and/or Part B coverage start dates.
Enrollment Periods When You Can Join, Drop or Switch A Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan:
| Enrollment period: | You can: | Coverage starts: |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Enrollment Period (new to Medicare). Starts 3 months before you get Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) and ends 3 months after you get Medicare. | Join any plan. You need both Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) to join a Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage. You need either Part A or Part B to join a Medicare drug plan. | Varies, depending on when the plan gets your request: If you request to join a plan before your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts: Your plan coverage starts the same day as when your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts. If you request to join a plan after your Medicare Part A and/or Part B starts: Your plan coverage starts the first of the month after the plan gets your request. |
| Initial Enrollment Period – New to Part B (only applies if your Part A coverage has already started and you add Part B). Starts 3 months before the month you’re first eligible for both Part A and Part B. You’ll have 2 months after you get both Part A and Part B for the first time to join a plan. | Join any Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage. | The month after you join the plan. |
| Open Enrollment Period October 15-December 7. | Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage (or add or drop drug coverage). Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan or from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare. Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare drug plan if you’re in Original Medicare. | January 1 of the next year (the plan must get your enrollment request by December 7). |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (only if you’re already in a Medicare Advantage Plan) January 1-March 31. Within the first 3 months you get Medicare | Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage. Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare. You'll also be able to join a separate Medicare drug plan. | First of the month after the plan gets your request. |
| Special Enrollment Period Varies. Only for certain situations that happen in your life, like moving to a new address, losing or changing your current coverage, getting Medicaid, or getting Extra Help to pay drug costs. | Depending on your situation: Join a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or Medicare drug plan Switch to another plan If you sign up for Part A and/or Part B during a Special Enrollment Period because of an exceptional situation, you’ll have 2 months to join a plan or switch to another plan. | Varies. Generally, the first of the month after the plan gets your request. |
Source: Medicare.gov
When To Join A Medicare Supplement (a.k.a. "Medigap") Plan
Your best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. Your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the first month you have Medicare Part B and you’re 65 or older. This is a one-time enrollment period; it doesn’t repeat every year. Some states have additional Open Enrollment Periods, including those for people under 65. If you’re under 65 and have Medicare because of a disability or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you might not be able to buy the Medigap policy you want, or any Medigap policy, until you turn 65.
During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you can:
• Enroll in any Medigap policy sold in your state. An insurance company can't refuse to sell you any Medigap policy it offers. They also can’t use medical underwriting to decide whether to accept your application or deny you coverage due to pre-existing health problems.
• Generally get better prices and more choices among policies. An insurancecompany can’t charge you more for a Medigap policy if you have health problems.
• Have your coverage start right away. An insurance company can’t make you wait, except for coverage related to a pre-existing condition.
• A pre-existing condition is a health problem you have before the date a new insurance policy starts. In some cases, the Medigap insurance company can refuse to cover your out of pocket costs for these pre-existing health problems for up to 6 months. This is called a “pre-existing condition waiting period.” After 6 months, the Medigap policy will cover the pre-existing condition.
• Coverage for a pre-existing condition can only be excluded if the condition was treated or diagnosed within 6 months before your Medigap policy coverage starts. This is called the “look-back period.” Remember: Original Medicare will still cover the condition for Medicare-covered services, even if the Medigap policy won’t, but you’re responsible for the Medicare coinsurance or copayment.
• Avoid or shorten waiting periods for a pre-existing condition if you buy a Medigap policy to replace certain other kinds of health coverage that counts as creditable coverage.
• Creditable coverage is generally any other health coverage you recently had before applying for a Medigap policy. If you’ve had at least 6 months of continuous prior creditable coverage, the Medigap insurance company can’t make you wait before it covers your pre-existing condition.
Source: CMS Guide To Choosing A Medigap Policy
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