The Annual Enrollment is one of the enrollment periods when you can make changes to an existing Medicare Part C or D Plan. Begins on October 15th and ends on December 7th. If you make changes they will take effect on January 1st.
Annual Notice of Change
You will receive an Annual Notice of Change from your insurance provider prior to Annual Enrollment. This document provides information on changes in costs and benefits that will impact your current coverage in the upcoming year. If you no longer want to continue with a plan, Annual Enrollment is the time to make a change. If you leave a current Part C plan with prescription coverage and return to Medicare, you will need to purchase a Part D plan.
Review Coverage
You will receive your Annual Notice of Change, prior to Annual Enrollment. Part C plans often make changes to coverage and benefits. Double-check that the hospitals and providers you use will still be in the network. If the upcoming changes will not fit your needs, you can switch coverage during this time (October 15 – December 7). If your plan isn’t changing, or new changes will not matter, you don’t need to do anything, and you will continue to receive the coverage you have. Part D plans often change the formulary, which could affect the cost of prescription medications you currently take. Check the pharmacy you currently use is still listed in the network of providers.
Changes Allowed
Join, switch, or drop a Part C Plan or D during Annual Enrollment.
Join a new plan and be dis-enrolled from the old automatically when your new coverage starts.
Switch a Part C Plan back to Medicare
Enroll in a Part D plan. Coverage will be effective on January 1st.
References:
https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/when-can-i-join-a-health-or-drug-plan/when-can-i-join-a-health-or-drug-plan.html#collapse-3190
https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/medicare-health-plans/medicare-advantage-plans/when-to-join-medicare-advantage-plan.html
MUC63-2017-BCBS
