If you aren’t happy with the coverage offered by Original Medicare, you can get Part C coverage through a private insurer. These plans are often more flexible than Original Medicare, meaning you may be able to access better coverage. If you are interested in joining a Medicare Advantage plan, here’s what you need to know.
Enrolling In Medicare Advantage
You can only enroll, disenroll, or make changes to a Medicare Advantage plan during pre-determined enrollment periods. There are several enrollment periods you can use to get started, including:
Initial Enrollment Period
The Initial Enrollment Period begins 3 months before your 65th birthday and ends 3 months later. Your birth month is included in this period, meaning you have a total of 7 months to enroll. If you enroll in an Advantage plan during this time, you won’t have to worry about late enrollment penalties.
Annual Enrollment Period
The Annual Enrollment Period occurs every year between October 15 and December 7. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during this time, your coverage will start on January 1. You can also use this time to switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare or switch from one Advantage plan to another. If you need to make changes to a Part D prescription drug plan, you can do that during Annual Enrollment as well.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
If you missed the Annual Enrollment Period, you can also enroll in a Part C Advantage plan during Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment. This period starts on January 1 and ends on March 31. During this enrollment period, you can switch from one Advantage plan to another or leave your Medicare Advantage plan. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to enroll in Medicare Advantage during this period if you don’t already have Medicare Advantage.
Special Enrollment Period
Special Enrollment Periods are granted to people who have experienced unique life circumstances recently, such as a change of location or loss of coverage. To find out if your personal situation qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period, speak with an insurance professional today.
Enroll In Medicare Advantage Today
Don’t miss your opportunity to enroll. Whether you use the Annual Enrollment Period or Initial Enrollment, you should get help from a professional when choosing a plan. To get assistance from one of our agents, call us today at 319-200-5050.
