A Medicare Advantage eligible individual may make one Medicare Advantage Open Election Period (MA OEP) election from January 1st through March 31st. The Open Enrollment Period election must be made to the same type of plan MA-PD (regarding Medicare prescription drug coverage) in which the individual is already enrolled.

For example, if you have Medicare prescription drug coverage, you can only choose to join another plan that offers Medicare prescription drug coverage (like Freedom Blue PPO), or choose to return to the Original Medicare Plan and join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. If you don't have Medicare prescription drug coverage, you cannot use this chance to get it.

ENROLLMENT PERIOD AT AGE 65:

When you reach age 65 and you sign up for Medicare Part B, you have a one-time seven-month period (three months before, three months after and the month of your birthday) during which you may purchase any Medigap (or Medicare Advantage) policy a company sells at the lowest price available, even if you have or used to have health problems.

If you purchase a Medigap (or Medicare Advantage) policy after this seven-month open enrollment period, you could be denied the Medigap (or Medicare Advantage) policy of your choice, or any Medigap (or Medicare Advantage) policy, because of pre-existing health conditions.

ENROLLMENT PERIOD AT AGES YOUNGER THAN 65:

In California, if you are younger than 65 years of age and entitled to Medicare because of a disability, you have an Open Enrollment period. This period is for six months after you first sign up for Medicare Part B. (However, this right does NOT apply to people who have permanent kidney failure known as End Stage Renal Disease or ESRD.) If you receive a notice from a government agency that your Medicare benefits began some time ago, then your Open Enrollment period begins on the date of that federal notice.

It is a good idea to apply for a Medigap policy early so it will take effect on the same day as your Part B benefits.

ANNUAL ELECTION PERIOD:

You can only disenroll or switch plans once per year during the Annual Election Period (AEP) (November 15 – December 31 of each year for benefits that begin the following January).