Medicare enrollment periods are not limited to Initial, General, and Open Enrollment Periods. Medicare also allows for making changes in the times where you need it the most. Life is unpredictable. But just because it’s unpredictable doesn’t mean it has to result in suffering through debt.
When a change in circumstance arises, you need to make adjustments, and you need to make them quickly. Below are special enrollment scenarios, and the allotted time for switching or joining a Medicare plan in that instance. In most of these cases, the options are based on what can be done with Medicare Advantage or a prescription drug plan.
Situation One – You’ve Just Moved
Your Medicare plan is part of a network, which is based on the area you live in. Moving to a new area therefore takes you out of that network. And because your coverage is dependent upon that network, it won’t work outside that network.
It is best to notify your plan before you move. When you notify first, that gives you an opportunity to switch to a different Medicare Advantage Plan or prescription drug plan a month before you actually move. The Special Enrollment Period for this would extend to the two full months after you change to a new address.
Situation Two – You’ve Been Released from Jail
Being in jail is a unique situation here because the option is to join a Medicare Advantage Plan or prescription drug plan, not switch. Here, your Special Enrollment Period begins when you get out, and lasts for two months after you are released.
Situation Three – You Lose Employer Coverage
Once employer coverage is lost, your Special Enrollment Period lasts for two months after you lose your employer’s health insurance.
Other Circumstances That Qualify You for Special Enrollment
Other circumstances include:
- Losing or dropping your prescription drug coverage (this gives you a two-month window to join a new prescription drug plan)
- Your plan’s contract gets terminated by Medicare (switch to another plan from the two months before termination is official to the one month following)
- You move back to the U.S. after residing in another country (you can join Medicare Advantage or a prescription drug plan within two months after you have moved back to the U.S.)
Do You Qualify?
If you have any questions about Medicare or if you are in a situation where you may qualify for Special Enrollment, please contact us today by calling 800-805-6834.
