Medicare enhancement

Understanding Medicare Plan terminology can be confusing. Here’s a few key terms to help.

• OEP – Open Enrollment Period

  The open enrollment period is only available to people who have already enrolled in Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. During this period, a beneficiary may change to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or return to original Medicare.

  The OEP begins on January 1 and continues through March 31 with the new plan coverage beginning on the first day of the month after enrollment.

• ICEP – Initial Coverage Election Period

  If you are turning age 65, you have a seven-month initial election period to enroll in a Medicare supplement, a Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D), or a Medicare advantage plan.

  This includes the three months before your birth month, the month you turn 65, and the three months after your birth month.

• AEP – Annual Election Period

  The annual election period is the period each year during which you may change your Medicare advantage plan and/or your part D prescription drug coverage. During this time you may change plans, or return to original Medicare.

  The AEP is from October 15 through December 7. Any plan changes you make during AEP are effective January 1.

• SEP – Special Enrollment Period

  The special enrollment period for Medicare, otherwise known as “special circumstances” is triggered when certain events happen in your life, like moving to a new area, getting married, having a baby, or losing other insurance coverage.

  These changes trigger a special enrollment period where you may make changes to your Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplement, and Medicare prescription drug coverage.

  Depending on your special enrollment period type, you may have 60 days following the event to enroll in a new plan.

• Medicaid & Medicare Beneficiaries

  Under the new rule, dual eligibles and LIS recipients may enroll or dis-enroll from a Medicare plan or Part D plan once per quarter. The enrollment or dis-enrollment will be effective the first day of the following month if a change is made in the first three quarters of the year.

  The fourth quarter change occurs during the AEP (October 15-December 7) and the effective date will be
  January 1.