News & Articles Category: **Annual Enrollment
What CAN You Do During Medicare AEP?
Each fall, Medicare beneficiaries have an opportunity to review and adjust their coverage. Knowing your options during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) can help you save money and avoid surprises.
When is Medicare AEP?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (also called Medicare Open Enrollment) runs every year from October 15 through December 7. Any changes you make take effect on January 1 of the following year.
What You CAN Do During AEP
• Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage (Part C): If you currently have Parts A & B, you can move into a Medicare Advantage plan, which may include extra benefits.
• Switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare: You may disenroll from your MA plan and return to Original Medicare. This may also allow you to apply for a Medigap policy, though acceptance isn’t always guaranteed outside certain periods.
• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another: If your current plan’s coverage, costs, or provider network no longer fit your needs, AEP is your chance to find a better option.
• Enroll in, change, or drop a Medicare Part D plan: If your drug costs have increased or your prescriptions are no longer covered, you can review and update your plan. Even if satisfied, it’s smart to check annually — formularies often change.
• Switch from one Part D plan to another: Comparing premiums, deductibles, and pharmacy networks can help reduce out-of-pocket costs.
What You CAN’T Do During AEP
• Guarantee acceptance into a new Medigap plan unless you’re in a qualifying enrollment window.
• Change employer or union retiree coverage — those plans follow separate rules and timelines.
Why AEP Matters
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is your main chance to ensure your coverage matches your health and financial needs. Drug prices change, networks adjust, and health needs evolve. Spending just 30 minutes during AEP could save you hundreds in the coming year.
We’re Here to Help
Call 1-855-890-2583 to connect with an Education Specialist who can guide you through your Medicare AEP options and help you choose the right plan for your situation.
News & Articles Category: **Annual Enrollment
Simple Steps to Medicare Enrollment & Eligibility
Who qualifies for Medicare?
If you’re 65 or older and have worked (or your spouse has) for at least 10 years paying Medicare taxes, you likely qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A — hospital coverage that includes inpatient care, skilled nursing, hospice, and some home health services.
Under 65? You may still qualify if:
You’ve received Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits for 24 months.
You have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or need a kidney transplant.
Even if you haven’t paid Medicare taxes, you can usually buy coverage if you’re a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
When and how to enroll?
If you’re getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, you’re typically enrolled in Parts A and B automatically. You’ll get a welcome packet about three months before your 65th birthday.
Not getting benefits yet? Contact Social Security three months before turning 65 to get started.
Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) spans seven months:
Three months before your 65th birthday.
The month of your 65th birthday.
Three months after your 65th birthday.
You can still enroll even if you’re not retiring yet, and you might qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if certain conditions apply.
Ready to start your Medicare journey?
To speak to an Education Specialist Call 1-855-890-2583 now!
News & Articles Category: **Annual Enrollment
Turning 65? It’s time to understand how and when you can enroll in Medicare!
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
Medicare Part A (hospital insurance): Automatically enrolled at no cost if you’ve worked 10 years and qualify for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits.
Medicare Part B (medical insurance): Automatically enrolled (with fee), but can opt out. Still working and covered by an employer health plan? Delay Part B without penalty and enroll during a later SEP.
General Enrollment Period (GEP)
Miss your IEP? Sign up for Medicare Parts A and/or B from January 1 – March 31. Coverage begins July 1, but late enrollment penalties may apply.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
Experienced a life-changing event (e.g., losing employer coverage, moving, or changes in Medicaid eligibility)? You may qualify for a SEP to enroll outside the standard windows.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)
From January 1 – March 31, if you’re enrolled in an MA plan, you can:
• Switch to another MA plan.
• Drop your plan and return to Original Medicare, with the option to add a Medicare Supplement and/or Prescription Drug Plan (PDP).
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
From October 15 – December 7, you can:
• Move from Original Medicare to an MA plan (with or without prescription drug coverage).
• Join, drop, or switch PDPs.
• Switch MA plans or return to Original Medicare (with supplemental coverage options).
Act Early. Stay Covered. Avoid Penalties.
Enroll or make changes before your window closes to ensure coverage starts January 1 of the following year.
Connect with an Education Specialist at 1-855-890-2583 and make your Medicare plan work for you!
News & Articles Category: **Annual Enrollment
If you’re looking to enroll in Medicare, understand your specific enrollment periods and avoid missing your deadline and possibly a penalty.
Initial Enrollment
For those who are turning 65 7 months to enroll is called the Initial Enrollment Period. This period begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after you turn 65.
General Enrollment
For those who miss the Initial Enrollment, there is a General Enrollment, which extends from January 1st through March 31st each year. Enrollment begins on January 1st for coverage that begins on July 1st.
Open Enrollment
Changes can be made during open enrollment to change from a Part C to a Medicare Plus or switch from one Part D plan to another. This period is from January 1st to March 31st. Plan changes take effect the month after it is submitted.
Annual Enrollment
Medicare realizes that sometimes people want to make changes. Annual Enrollment is available from October 15th through December 7th.
Special Enrollment
Special Enrollment is available for people to enroll who are undergoing special life events or circumstances that make it difficult during designated periods.
References:
https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/get-parts-a-and-b/when-sign-up-parts-a-and-b/when-sign-up-parts-a-and-b.html
https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/get-parts-a-and-b/when-how-to-sign-up-for-part-a-and-part-b.html
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News & Articles Category: **Annual Enrollment
The Annual Enrollment is one of the enrollment periods when you can make changes to an existing Medicare Advantage or Part 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 before 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, before 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
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