Special Enrollment Period

Special Enrollment Period

If you want to change your plan, enroll in a new plan, or are losing coverage, you have to make changes to Medicare during one of its enrollment periods. Medicare has different enrollment periods for different people. One of those is the Special Enrollment Period. Take a look below to understand how the Special Enrollment Period works. 

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How a Special Enrollment Period works

The Special Enrollment Period is for people who are either leaving their area of coverage or are losing coverage. Medicare allows you to enroll in a new plan during the Special Enrollment Period. The amount of time you have to enroll in a Medicare plan depends on the situation you are in. 

If you are moving out of your plan’s service area, you must notify your plan before you move at least one month before you move or during the two months after you move. You can enroll in a Medicare plan during this time. 

If you are losing coverage, you have two months to enroll in a new Medicare plan after you lose coverage.

What are all the qualifications?

To qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you must be in a very specific scenario. These scenarios include: 

Losing Coverage

  • You are no longer eligible for Medicaid.
  • You lost coverage through your employer or union.
  • You lost drug coverage, both voluntarily and involuntarily.
  • Your current coverage makes changes but is no longer credible.
  • You dropped your coverage in a PACE plan

Moving

  • You move out of your plan’s service area.
  • You moved to a new address and have new plan options available.
  • You moved back to the United States.
  • You moved into, moved out of, or currently live in an institution.
  • You were released from jail.

Changes in Contract

  • Medicare takes an official action because of an issue with the plan that affects you.
  • Medicare ends your plan’s contract.
  • Your Medicare Advantage Plan, prescription drug plan, or Medicare Cost Plan’s contract is not renewed with Medicare.

Obtaining Other Coverage

  • You have the option to enroll in coverage offered by your employer or union.
  • You have the option to enroll in prescription drug coverage that’s as good as Medicare prescription drug coverage.
  • You enrolled in a PACE plan.

If you believe you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period but are unsure of what to enroll in, contact Medicare With Jake today!