Dual Eligibles and People with Extra Help Who Want to Change Medicare Plans Must Act by September 30th!

Dual eligibles (people who have both Medicare and Medicaid) and others with Extra Help have a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to change their Medicare health or drug coverage once per quarter between January 1st and September 30th. Changes take effect the next calendar month.  Dual eligibles who  want to change their  health or drug plan for the rest of this year must do so by  September 30th.

During the last quarter of the calendar year (October-December), dual eligibles and those with Extra Help can use the Annual Open Enrollment Period to make changes to their coverage. The Open Enrollment Period starts October 15th and ends December 7th. Changes made during this time take effect January 1st.  

REMINDER: Anyone who currently has Medicare and was receiving any Medicaid benefit (including only the payment of the Medicare Part B premium) on or after July 1st should be automatically approved for Extra Help for all of 2024.  The Extra Help stays in place for all of 2024 even if someone loses their Medicaid later this year or early next year!

Dual eligibles and people with Extra Help who need free, unbiased counseling about plan options or those who need help using the Special Enrollment Period to make a change by September 30th are encouraged to call PA MEDI at 1-800-783-7067.  Click here for a link to upcoming PA MEDI events and presentations as the Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period approaches.