The Annual Enrollment Period has ended, but members enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1, 2021, still have an opportunity to make certain changes. The Medicare Advantage open enrollment period (MA OEP) begins January 1 and ends March 31. During this time, Medicare Advantage members may:
- Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage)
- Switch to Original Medicare (with or without a standalone Part D plan (PDP)
Only one election can be made using the MA OEP and the effective date is the first of the month following receipt of the enrollment request.
The OEP does not apply to those enrolled in Original Medicare, a Medicare Medical Savings Account, or other Medicare health plan types such as cost plans, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), or Medicare Supplement plans.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services prohibits plan sponsors, brokers, and agents from knowingly targeting or sending unsolicited marketing materials to any Medicare Advantage enrollee or Part D enrollee during the open enrollment period. However, you can advise your clients of the MA OEP and their options if they express dissatisfaction with their Medicare Advantage plan renewal or the selection they made during the Annual Enrollment Period.
Open enrollment for the newly eligible
The Medicare Advantage open enrollment period is also available throughout the year to those newly eligible for a Medicare Advantage individual health plan. Individuals who enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan during their Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP) can make a switch using the MA OEP election during the first 3 months they are enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B. Rules apply as noted above.
Questions?
Call the Kaiser Permanente Medicare Sales Producer Support team at 1-800-581-8252 or email kpwa.medicare@kp.org.