This year has been a lot different due to the pandemic, but I’ve still helped countless people find the plan best for them and reassessed the available options for many other clients during this Annual Enrollment Period. It has gone by fast; there are only a few days left. The AEP ends on December 7th this year. There are three main periods when you can join, switch, or drop a plan: the Initial Enrollment Period, the Open Enrollment Period (or Annual Enrollment Period), and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. At this point, you should be familiar with the Annual Enrollment Period. It’s the period from October 15th to December 7th where anyone on Medicare can join, switch, or drop a plan.
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, however, is a lesser-known period that occurs between January 1st and March 31st. Unlike the AEP, this period is only for those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan. According to Medicare.gov, “From January 1 – March 31 each year, if you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage Plan or switch to Original Medicare (and join a separate Medicare drug plan) once during this time.” This is a great opportunity for those on Advantage Plans who missed the Annual Enrollment Period or for those who aren’t satisfied with their current Advantage Plan. Thank you for a great Annual Enrollment Period!
(Source: Medicare.gov)