Remember: Certain Medicare Enrollment Periods Ending March 31st

Currently, there are two Medicare enrollment periods that will conclude on March 31st:

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

The annual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period runs from January 1st through March 31st.  This enrollment period allows people who are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan as of January 1st to switch to another Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage) or disenroll from their Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare.  Anyone who chooses to return to Original Medicare during this enrollment period will be able to join a stand-alone prescription drug plan for Part D coverage.  Only one change may be made during this period.  This enrollment period cannot be used by someone in Original Medicare seeking to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan.

This enrollment period is especially helpful for Medicare beneficiaries who find that their current Medicare Advantage plan is not meeting their needs.  Any change made during this enrollment period takes effect on the first day of the next month. For example, if someone disenrolls from their Medicare Advantage plan and enrolls in a prescription drug plan on February 16th, they will have Original Medicare and their chosen prescription drug plan coverage starting on March 1st. 

General Enrollment Period for Medicare Parts A and B

Another enrollment period is relevant to people who did not sign up for Medicare Parts A and B when they were first eligible.  These individuals can enroll during the General Enrollment Period (GEP), which runs from January 1st through March 31st each year.  Coverage takes effect the first of the month after enrollment.  Further information about how to enroll in Medicare can be found on SSA’s website. 

We encourage readers who have questions about Medicare plan choices or who need help enrolling or changing plans to call PA MEDI at 1-800-783-7067.