Dear AMAC,

I know the annual enrollment period has ended, but I just found out my doctor is no longer in network for my current plan and my drug copays have become too expensive. I’m just not happy with my Advantage plan and I fear that I will have to keep this for another year. Do I have any way out or am I stuck?

-Pamela (Salt Lake City, UT)

Hello Pamela,

I’m glad I came across your question. Since Medicare rules can be confusing, Medicare beneficiaries are often unaware of all their options. I know that you feel trapped in your Medicare Advantage Plan, but the good news is that you do have an opportunity to change it!

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, or MA OEP, is happening right now. You may not have heard about it because there are strict Medicare regulations prohibiting agents from proactively offering this enrollment period to you. This means that unless you let your agent know you are unhappy with your plan, they may not be able to help you change it.

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1^st to March 31^st of each year (not to be confused with the Annual Enrollment Period that happens each fall).

There are a few important points to remember about the MA OEP:

1. This is an enrollment period only available to those who ALREADY have a Medicare Advantage Plan (regardless of whether it includes drug coverage).
2. During this time, if a Medicare Advantage enrollee is dissatisfied with their plan, they can make a 1-time change to their coverage.

What kind of changes can be made during the MA OEP?

• You can enroll into a different Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage)
• You can drop your Medicare Advantage plan completely and go back to Original Medicare.
• You can enroll into a Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP)

If you choose to make a change during this time, your new plan selection will begin on the 1^st of the following month. Keep in mind that making a change during the MA OEP does NOT guarantee acceptance into a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan.

Thank you for taking the time to write us, Pamela. If you would like further assistance from one of our licensed Medicare Advisors, please give us a call at 855-611-4856.

-Your Medicare Advisor

For help with Medicare plans – or any questions you may have about Medicare – contact AMAC’s Medicare Advisory Service at 1-855-611-4856 or request a quote below!

(Please note that we do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.)

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