When Can You Enroll In, Switch Or Cancel A Medicare Advantage Plan?

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

• 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.
• Between November 15–December 7 2011 (your coverage will begin on January 1 of the following year)

However, you can’t enroll in or switch to a plan with prescription drug coverage during this time
unless you already have Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D). You also can’t cancel a plan with prescription drug coverage or join, switch, or drop a Medicare Medical Savings Account Plan during this period.

In most cases, you must stay enrolled in your current Advantage plan for that calendar year starting the date your coverage begins.

However, in certain situations, you may be able to join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan at other times. Some of these situations include the following:

• If you move out of your plan’s service area
• If you have both Medicare and Medicaid
• If you qualify for “extra help”
• If you live in an institution

To switch to a new Medicare Advantage Plan, simply join the new plan during the period listed above. You will be disenrolled automatically from your old plan when your new plan’s coverage begins.
If you are planning to switch your plan and need more information, please feel free to contact us.