Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period 

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period  (OEP) allows Medicare beneficiaries a one time opportunity to switch plans outside of the Annual Election Period (AEP). OEP starts January 1st and runs through the end of March31 every year. This period is primarily for : 

•  If somebody has a Medicare advantage plan, they are able to switch to a different plan during this time period
• Alternatively , a Medicare beneficiary is able to leave their Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and B), and then sign up for a Medicare Part D plan.
• Other types of changes for example from Original Medicare (Part A and B) to Medicare Advantage are not possible, during this time period .

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

For those people currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, they will have an opportunity to compare Medicare Advantage plans for 2021 and make a change effective January of 2021.

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) begins every year from January 1st through the end of March 31. It is meant to replace the previous Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period that only was available January 1st through February 14. The main difference is that the OEP allows people to change their Medicare Advantage plan rather than just disenroll.

Types of Changes possible during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period        

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is designed to help people who do not feel that the current Medicare Advantage plan they enrolled into is meeting their personal, financial and healthcare needs.  The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period allows people to:

• Switch from one Medicare Advantage (Part C or MAPD) to another
• Switch back to Original Medicare from Medicare advantage
• Enroll in a new Medicare Prescription Drug plan (Part D or PDP) , if they left their previous Medicare Advantage plan
• In certain situations, to change their existing Medicare Prescription Drug plan (Part D or PDP)

*Important: In order to utilize the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, you must currently be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. If you’re just enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, then you will not be able to use this Open Enrollment Period and will have to wait until next year’s Annual Election Period.

Other times you can enroll into a Medicare Advantage plan

For most people they will not be able to change their Medicare Advantage plan anytime they want. But, during the Open Enrollment Period and Special Enrollment Periods a Medicare beneficiary may make changes to their plans. Below are a few times someone can change their plan. 

• Your newly eligible to Medicare (usually when you turn 65 years old) and you are applying for the first time
• Special Enrollment Period , if you have the required life change to qualify
• A Medicare beneficiary is enrolling into a 5 star plan for either a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Prescription drug plan.

Additional Benefits available through some Medicare Advantage Plans for 2021

There have been some changes to what benefits Medicare Advantage plans are able to provide to their beneficiaries for 2021. Below is a list of benefits that may be added to Medicare Advantage plans for the 2021 coverage year:

• Home Healthcare, respite care, and custodial home health care
• In home Meal Delivery
• Transportation to and from Home and doctors offices
• Yearly allowances for home safety equipment like shower bars
• Allowances for over the county (OTC) benefits
• Telehealth benefits
• Acupuncture and Chiropractic 
• Gym Memberships
• Pest control

*Important: These benefits are just a summary of what may be offered by some Medicare Advantage plans, additionally there may be limits to how much of each benefit may be available to any one individual Medicare Advantage enrollee.

If you have more questions about enrolling into Medicare, Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug coverage please  contact us directly at 844-367-6555. There is no cost for any of our services and we are able to assist in both English and Spanish.

We are the Covered California Enrollment Center, your place to get free assistance with your health insurance plan. We can assist you to sign up, enroll and update your private health Insurance, Covered California plan, Medi-Cal, Obamacare and Medicare insurances. Our California agency is certified by Covered California, to assist you in-person, over the phone or online in English and Spanish. 

We specialize in individual and family health insurance plans, Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement (MediGap plans), Medicare Prescription Drug plans (Part D), as well as, Dental and Vision coverage. We can help you get enrolled into health insurance plans, compare healthcare options, provide required health coverage tax documents and review the plans that best fit your budget and healthcare needs.  

Call us today at 844-367-6555 for free assistance over the phone, visit our website at www.EnrollSocal.Com to make an appointment at our California Enrollment Centers Serving San Diego County, Los Angeles County and Imperial County.