You can change your Medicare, but only during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which takes place from October 15th to December 7th. Here is all you need to know about the AEP and your other opportunities to change or add coverage.
Why the AEP Is the Best Time to Change Your Coverage
Because you cannot make changes to your Medicare plan at any time, you must choose one of the optional enrollment periods to make the necessary changes. One of the best times to do so, as we have already introduced, is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP).
During this period, you can make the following changes to your Medicare coverage:
- Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare and vice versa
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan without prescription drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage with a Prescription Drug plan, and vice versa
- Switch from one Prescription Drug plan to another
- Switch to a completely new plan with a different provider
What Other Times Can You Make Changes?
Besides the AEP, the two other options for enrolling and making changes to your Medicare plan is the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) and General Enrollment Period (GEP).
The GEP takes place from January 1st to March 31st every year. The IEP, on the other hand, is specific to you and takes place during the 7 months surrounding your 65th birthday.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
The IEP is less about making changes to your Medicare plan and more about enrolling in Medicare for the first time. During this period, you may:
- Enroll in Original Medicare (Parts A and B)
- Enroll in Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- Enroll in Medicare Part D
- Enroll in a Supplement Plan (after you have enrolled in Part B, the 6 months after your 65th birthday. To learn more about enrolling in a Supplement plan, check out our post on an Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare Supplements).
General Enrollment Period (GEP)
Like the IEP, the GEP is not geared towards making changes to your Medicare coverage like the AEP. And, unlike the AEP, you are allowed only one change every period. Your optional changes are:
- Switch Medicare Advantage plans
- Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare
You cannot, however:
- Join a Part D Plan
- Switch Part D Plans
- Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
Want to Change Your Medicare Plan? Get Started with Trusted Senior Specialists
During Annual Enrollment from October 15th to December 7th, you have a great opportunity to make substantial changes to your Medicare plan. However, deciding what changes to make and how to make them can be intimidating and confusing.
With Trusted Senior Specialists, you will be walked through your options and a direct route to success. For your free insurance help, give us a call at (855) 952-1941 today.
