Medicare Enrollment Special Enrollment Period

From January 1^st to March 31^st, individuals enrolled in Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C, can switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan or can leave the program altogether and return to Original Medicare (Parts A and B, with the option of buying a stand-alone Part D drug plan).  Typically, this window closes February 14^th, but this year the open-enrollment period has been extended through March 31^st.  Each eligible person is allowed only one change during this period.  One reason someone might opt for a new plan, or switch out of Medicare Advantage altogether, is if he/she discovers that one of his/her doctors doesn’t participate in the plan, or if he/she wants to see a specialist the plan won’t pay for. Another reason is that reimbursements for drugs might be better under one plan that another.

Source:  Money.com, March 2019