From January 1, 2019 through March 31, 2019, Medicare Advantage enrollees can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another. Since 2010, those who wished to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan had to do so between October 15 through December 7th during the Annual Election Period. However, beginning in 2019, there is a new Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP). While the Medicare Advantage OEP from January 1, 2019 through March 31, 2019 is more limited than the Fall Open Enrollment period, recipients of Medicare can still sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan, change from one Medicare Advantage plans to a different Medicare Advantage plan, drop an existing Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare Part A and B, or sign up for a stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan if you had returned to Original Medicare.
Medicare Advantage is a type of Medicare health plan that is offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to the original Medicare which offers Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Medicare Advantage Plans offer all your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage as well as extra benefits. Most Medicare Advantage plans offer prescription drug coverage. Some Medicare Advantage programs also help recipients save on their monthly Medicare premiums.
If you have questions regarding your Social Security disability benefits or Medicare, contact an experienced Social Security disability attorney at Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C. at (251) 343-1111. Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C. represents Social Security disability claimants in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Louisiana at all levels of the disability process from initial application to appeals to Federal Court.
