Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period

Medicare Advantage Disenrollment

Q: The Open Enrollment Period is over, but I want to disenroll from my Medicare Advantage Plan. What should I do?

A: No fear! If you didn’t disenroll from your Medicare Advantage Plan during Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period (Oct. 15- Dec. 30), then you have another chance. From Jan. 1- Feb. 14 is the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (MADP).

 

Q: What is the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period for?

A: The Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period is specifically designed to allow disenrollment from Medicare Advantage plans. It does not provide any other options in regards to Medicare Advantage Plans. That being said, if you decide to disenroll from your Medicare Advantage plan, you must be prepared to return to Original Medicare. If you decide to leave Medicare Advantage to return to Original Medicare, considering Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) is strongly suggested. A Medigap plan will help will any gaps in Original Medicare coverage.

 

Q: What can I do during the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period?

A: You can

  • Return to Original Medicare
  • Apply for a Medicare Supplement
  • Enroll in a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan

 

Q: Is there anything I can’t do during the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period?

A: Since the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period is for disenrolling from Medicare Advantage plans, you are limited in what you can and cannot do during this time frame. During the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period, you may NOT:

  • Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
  • Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to a different Medicare Advantage Plan
  • Switch from one stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to a different stand-alone drug plan

 

It is important that you look at Medigap options before disenrolling from a Medicare Advantage Plan. If you are planning to disenroll from your Medicare Advantage Plan, then you should apply for a Medicare supplement early enough to learn whether your application is accepted prior to Feb. 14. Start by getting a free Medicare supplement insurance quote.

Unless you are prepared to be insured by only Original Medicare, then you should not disenroll from your Medicare Advantage plan yet. You want to be certain that you will be able to get the Medicare supplement policy to replace it. Also, keep in mind that Medigap plans do not include drug coverage, so enrolling in an affordable prescription drug plan is an important money saving step to supplement your Medicare supplement coverage. If you disenroll from any Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare during MADP, you have the option of enrolling in a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

 

Q: Why should I consider switching from Medicare Advantage to a Medicare Supplement?

  • Budget Friendly and Surprise-free: Month-to-month costs are easy to predict, and lower than you may anticipate!
  • Flexible: You are not limited to a network of healthcare providers.
  • Year-Round: You are able to join Medicare supplement plans at any time of the year! So, if you disenroll during the MADP and qualify for a supplement plan, your medigap coverage will begin immediately upon returning to Original Medicare.

 

Q: Is this the right move for me?

A: Switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap is a good move for many people, but that is no guarantee that it is the best move for you. Unless you have Medigap guaranteed issue rights, medical underwriting is likely to apply when you apply for a Medicare supplement plan. Private Insurance companies may decide to exclude you from certain Medicare supplement plans if they think you pose too great a risk. Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program can tell you whether medical underwriting will apply if you want to join a particular Medicare supplement plan during this year’s MADP.

If pre-existing conditions or other medical considerations are a hindrance in enrolling in the Medicare supplement plan of your choice, then it may be better to keep your current Medicare Advantage plan. The same may be true if you are looking for the lowest possible premiums (or no premiums at all) and are comfortable with the choice of providers within your plan’s network.

Changes made during the MADP typically become effective on the first day of the following month after changes are received.

For more information on the 2016 Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period, visit Medicare.gov.

 

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