A University of Alabama Law School Clinical Program funded in part by West Alabama Regional Commission

Enrollment in Part C and Part D

The enrollment periods for these programs can be confusing. First, you must enroll in Part A and Part B.
The Medicare Advantage (MA) Initial Coverage Election Period begins three months before the month an individual turns 65 and is first entitled to Part A and enrolls in Parts A and B, and ends on the later of: the last day of the month before (s)he is eligible for Parts A and B, or the last day of the Part B initial enrollment period.
If the individual enrolls in Part A and Part B immediately upon Medicare eligibility, the Part C or MA Initial Coverage Election Period and the Part D Initial Enrollment Period occur at the same time.
The Part C Annual Coordinated Election Period begins November 15 and ends December 31st of each year. At that time, Medicare beneficiaries already enrolled in Parts A and B may enroll in a MA plan for the first time, change Medicare Advantage plans, change prescription drug (Part D) plans, or change back from MA to Traditional Medicare. The change takes effect the next January 1.
It is no longer possible to change back and forth between Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage at will.
To be eligible, the beneficiary must have both Part A and Part B, live in the geographic area served by the chosen plan, and fill out an election form.
The Part C Open Enrollment Period extends from January 1 through March 31 each year. At that time a beneficiary can enroll or disenroll from a plan. You cannot drop or add a Part D plan at that time.
There are MA Special Enrollment Periods for special circumstances, such as retiring and thereby losing coverage from an employer and enrolling in Part B for the first time. The SEP extends from the date of retirement or loss of health care coverage to the end of the eighth month thereafter.
There are other exceptions for people who enter nursing homes or leave a coverage area.
The Part D Initial Enrollment Period is the same as an individual's initial Part B enrollment opportunity (three months before the month of the 65th birthday through three months after).
There is a Part D Special Enrollment Period from April through June for those who delayed enrollment in Part B.
The Part D Annual Coordinated Enrollment Period is the same as the Part C Annual Coordinated Enrollment Period described above.

Be extremely cautious about making changes. The process is confusing and mistakes can be costly. Get advice from a state SHIP counselor or from Medicare. There can be other rules that apply in certain cases, which are beyond the scope of this article.

Go back