Medicare Disenrollment Period: Fill & Download for Free

You can meet a local broker, and take advantage of the Medicare advantage disenrollment period Jan 1-mar 31. Or you can do it yourself and possibly make the same mistakes all over again..

Medicare Advantage plans, also referred to as MA/MAPD or Part C plans are similar to a group plan one would have with an employer. The beneficiary will receive a plan ID card to use in lieu of the Medicare issued ID as the plan will be contracted through the insurance carrier. Usually the member would need to be enrolled in Part A (Hospital), Part B (Medical), and not have End Stage Renal Disease (kidney failure) as a prerequisite. Generally most advantage plans will be an HMO or a PPO and will have a low or $0 (not free) premium, varying copays, and rely on a network of doctors. They will have a maximum out of pocket which is a safety net to avoid a catastrophic financial burden in the event of a long hospitalization or serious illness/injury. Some advantage plans have built in drug coverage which satisfies the federal Part D (Drug) requirement.I would recommend an advantage plan to those who don’t travel often and don’t anticipate having any major medical problems or need to go to the doctor a lot.Unless one qualifies for a Special Enrollment Period (aging-in, moving to a new service area, plan closure, etc . . . ) the Annual Enrollment Period is Oct 15th-Dec 7th. There’s also a Medicare advantage disenrollment period from Jan 1st-Feb 14th in which the member can revert back to original Medicare should they be dissatisfied with the coverage.Here’s a diagram (copyright of BCBS Michigan Advantage) that helps explain how Medicare plans are set up through a contracted carrier.Please consult with a knowledgeable, reputable, licensed agent in your area for the best information. I would also order a copy of the most current volume of Medicare And You from www.medicare.gov.the official U.S. government site for MedicareMedicare Advantage PlansI hope this helped.

Yes, you may switch from a Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plan to a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plan. However, there are only certain times of the year in which you may do so. (It’s important to remember that you may not have both types of plans at the same time.)The most popular time to execute this kind of switch is during the Annual Enrollment Period, or AEP. This period lasts from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 every year. During AEP, you may do any of the following:Change from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare (with the option of then adding a Medigap plan as well).Change from Original Medicare (with or without a Medigap plan) to a Medicare Advantage plan.Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.Add, drop or change a Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan.Another time that you are allowed to switch from Medicare Advantage to Medicare Supplement Insurance is during the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period. This period lasts from Jan. 1 to March 31 each year and allows anyone who purchased a Medicare Advantage plan during AEP to drop the plan and revert back to Original Medicare. Upon doing so, a Medigap plan may then be added.The final time that you may switch from Medicare Advantage to Medicare Supplement Insurance is during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). A Special Enrollment Period may be granted throughout the year to people who find themselves in certain circumstances. These include things like:Moving to a new address that is outside of your plan’s service area.Medicare ending its contract with your plan.Losing Medicaid eligibility.Being the victim of a weather emergency.You can learn more about Special Enrollment Periods and view a more complete list of qualifying circumstances here.If you are not currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you are free to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan at any time. However, once you are outside of your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) you may be subject to medical underwriting by the plan provider, which can drive up your rates.Your Initial Enrollment Period (not to be confused with Annual Enrollment Period) begins three months before you turn 65 years old, includes the month of your birthday and continues for three more months thereafter. (This is the same time at which you first become eligible to sign up for Original Medicare.) During this time, an insurance provider cannot base your rates on your health. You are guaranteed the same rate as all new customers who are joining during their respective IEP. Once your IEP window closes though, insurance companies reserve the right to charge more for smokers or people in poor health.