You can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan at these times:

Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP):Three months before, the month during, and three months after, you turn 65 years old. The Initial Election Period is when you first become eligible for Medicare (3 months before you turn age 65 to 3 months after the month you turn age 65). If you get Medicare due to a disability, you can join during the 3 months before to 3 months after your 25th month of disability. During this time, you may enroll in Medicare Part A & B. In addition for Parts A & B, you may also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, Part D prescription drug plan, or apply for a Medicare Supplemental Insurance plan (Medigap). Medicare Part D is voluntary, but you may get a penalty for not enrolling when you first have the opportunity to do so. Medicare Advantage plans and Medigap plans are optional, and there are no penalties for enrolling in either plan at a later time.

Open Enrollment Period (OEP): Between November 15, 2009 - December 31, 2009. Each year plans change what they cost and what they cover. The next general open enrollment starts on November 15, 2009 and ends on December 31, 2009. During this time, people with Medicare can add, drop or change their prescription drug coverage. They can also select a Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) health plan for their 2010 coverage. Your coverage will begin on January 1 of the following year.

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): Between January 1, 2010- March 31, 2010. This is the time to make any changes to your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. However, you cannot enroll in a Part D drug plan during this period if you did not already enrolled with one on January 1, 2010. Likewise, you cannot drop a Part D prescription drug plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage during this time, or join, switch, or drop a Medicare Medical Savings Account Plan during this period. The point here, which seems to confuse many people, is that between 01/01/10 and 03/31/10:

•If you DO have Part D drug coverage on 01/01/10, you cannot make any changes that will result in your losing coverage under the Part D Medicare drug program.
•If you DO NOT have Part D drug coverage on 01/01/10, you cannot make any changes that will result in your acquiring coverage under the Part D Medicare drug program.

Be aware, however, that there are Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) that will provide you the opportunity to make changes during this, period as well as anytime during the year.
Examples might be, but are not limited to:

•You move out of your current plans territory of coverage.
•You have recently ended group or retiree health care benefits.
•You recently became eligible for Medicare, and are within the normal Initial Coverage Election Period (IECP).
•You have both Medicare and Medicaid.
•You qualify for “extra help”.
•You live in an institution.

If you have any questions as to your situation and enrollment rights, click here or click below for information from CMS.

(Read the entire "You & Medicare 2010" publication by clicking here)
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