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September 16, 2012

Medicare Part D Enrollment Period

Although Medicare enrollment is automatic for most U.S. citizens over the age of 65, Medicare Part D enrollment is not. Medicare beneficiaries can choose to sign up for Medicare Part D during a specific Part D Enrollment Period. Failing to enroll during a certain enrollment period can result in a Part D Enrollment penalty and a delay in receiving certain benefits until the Medicare Part D Annual Enrollment period occurs. Hence, it is important to know the different Part D Enrollment Period types.

Part D Initial Enrollment Period

Age and/or the qualifying condition for Medicare Part D eligibility affect your Part D Initial Enrollment. There are five categories you can fall into when you become eligible for enrollment into Medicare Part D:

Newly eligible due to turning age 65 - Initial Part D Enrollment Period occurs three months before your 65th birthday and lasts for a total of seven months.

Newly eligible due to disability - Enrollment period occurs 21 months after you receive disability benefits and lasts for seven months.

Already eligible due to disability, but just turned age 65 - Initial Part D Enrollment Period occurs three months before your 65th birthday and lasts for a total of seven months.

Do not have Medicare Part A and enrolled in Medicare Part B during the Part B General Enrollment Period (January 1st to March 31st) - Medicare Part D Initial Enrollment Period lasts from April 1st to June 30th.

Already enrolled in Medicare Part A and enrolled in Medicare Part B during the Part B General Enrollment Period - Initial Enrollment Period lasts from April 1st to June 30th.

Annual Part D Enrollment Period

There are two separate annual enrollment period types that allow changes to your Medicare Part D coverage for next year.

Open Enrollment Period (October 15th to December 7th) - If you have already enrolled in Medicare Part D and/or Medicare Advantage, you may switch plans, pick up a new plan, or drop coverage and return to Original Medicare. If you were not previously enrolled, you can join a new Part D plan during this enrollment period.

Annual Disenrollment Period (January 1st to February 14th) - If you are enrolled in an Advantage plan, you can disenroll and return to Original Medicare. After switching back, you then have until February 14th to join a Part D Plan. You can also drop Part D coverage. You may not switch to another Medicare Advantage or Part D plan during this enrollment period.

Texas Medicare Part D Special Enrollment Period

You can also qualify for a Texas Medicare Part D Special Enrollment Period. Here are some special circumstances in which you can be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period:

Moved to a new address not in your current plan's service area

Lost employer or union health coverage (including COBRA coverage)

No longer eligible or just became eligible for Texas Medicaid

Involuntarily lost credible drug coverage

Entered a long term care facility

There are also other conditions that allow individuals to receive a Special Enrollment Period. Each has a different specified period of time in which you must sign, join, switch, or drop your Part D coverage. However, if you fail to do so during your Special Enrollment Period, you will have to wait until the next Annual Enrollment Period. For many, you may incur a Part D Enrollment Penalty if you fail to join a Medicare Part D plan on time.

Medicare has neither approved nor endorsed this information.

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* By submitting this form, you agree that a licensed sales agent may contact you to discuss the specific types of products listed above. The sales agent that will be discussing plan options with you is either employed or contracted by a Medicare Health plan or prescription drug plan that is not the Federal government, and they may be compensated based on your enrollment in a plan. Submitting this form does NOT affect your current enrollment, nor will it enroll you in a Medicare Advantage plan, Prescription Drug Plan, or other Medicare plan. A Medicare Advantage plan is a health insurance plan provided through a private insurer and delivers Medicare Part A and Part B benefits. A Part D Drug plan is a prescription drug insurance plan provided through a private insurer and delivering Medicare Part D benefits. A Medicare Supplement plan is a health insurance plan provided by a private company that fills in the "gaps" in original Medicare coverage. By submitting this form, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Terms and Conditions.