Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

Starting January 1, 2019, the federal government added a new enrollment period for Medicare Advantage members. It is called the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (“OEP”). OEP is quite different compared to the Annual Enrollment Period (“AEP”). This article discusses the general differences between OEP and AEP.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period starts on January 1st and ends on March 31st of each year. During this time period, Medicare Advantage beneficiaries can do a few things. This time period only applies to people actively enrolled in a Part C Medicare Advantage Plan. Unfortunately, people enrolled in Standalone Part D Drug Plans do not qualify for OEP. During OEP, Medicare Advantage members can do the following:

  • Disenroll from current Medicare Advantage plan and enroll in a new Medicare Advantage Plan.
  • Disenroll from current Medicare Advantage Plan and revert back to Original Medicare with or without a Standalone Part D Drug Plan.

Members using the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period can make one change per year during OEP.

Annual Enrollment Period

The Annual Enrollment Period starts on October 15th and ends on December 7th of each year. During this time period, Medicare beneficiaries can do the following:

  • Disenroll from a Part C Medicare Advantage Plan effective December 31st.
  • Disenroll from a Standalone Part D Drug Plan effective December 31st.
  • Enroll in a Part C Medicare Advantage Plan effective January 1st.
  • Enroll in a Standalone Part D Drug Plan effective January 1st.

Simply put – the Annual Enrollment period allows people to change plans or enroll in certain types of Medicare plans without health questions. In Nevada, you need to meet the following requirements to apply for coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period:

  • Must be enrolled in Part A of Medicare to get a Standalone Part D Drug Plan.
  • Must be enrolled in both Part A and Part B of Medicare to get a Part C Medicare Advantage Plan.