Georgia Emergency SEP through March 2021

Georgia has declared a Special Election Period pertaining to Medicare, for those folks who did not / could not exercise their options during the typical Annual Election Period. This special period impacts Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and runs through March 31, 2021. See what this means, and carrier notices on this, below: Cigna notice is below, followed by the AETNA notice: Strangely - Cigna states that this SEP ends March 8, 2021. Aetna states that this SEP ends March 31, 2021. Clarification is being sought by carrier representatives. - cw This means that someone who wanted a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D plan and did not select one now can. As always, the election starts on the first of the next month. The correct carrier SEP code MUST be used (or they can call Medicare, of course.) CIGNA NOTICE: Special Election Period for Government Entity-Declared Disaster or Other Emergency Declaration Date: February 8, 2021 Dates for SEP: January 11, 2021- March 8, 2021 State: Georgia- full state IMPORTANT: Please be aware An SEP exists for individuals affected by a disaster or other emergency declared by a Federal, state or local government entity who were unable to, and did not make an election during another valid election period. This includes both enrollment and disenrollment elections. Individuals are eligible for this SEP if they: · Reside, or resided at the start of the SEP eligibility period described in this guidance, in an area for which a federal, state or local government entity has declared a disaster or other emergency or they do not reside in an affected area but rely on help making healthcare decisions from one or more individuals who reside in an affected area; and · Were eligible for another election period at the time of the SEP eligibility period; and · Did not make an election during that other valid election period due to the disaster or other emergency. The SEP starts as of the date the declaration is made, the incident start date or, if different, the start date identified in the declaration, whichever is earlier. The SEP ends 2 full calendar months following the end date identified in the declaration or, if different, the date the end of the incident is announced, whichever is later. Compliance Requirements When contacted by an impacted customer, agents/brokers are allowed to assist eligible customers enroll. You must confirm the customer resides or resided in the affected area, confirm if the customer had another valid election period at the time of the incident period, and has not used the election. If all qualifications are met, you must complete the SEP section of the application with the following: · SEP Code: DST · SEP Date: Start date of the incident period. AETNA NOTICE: Overview of SEP for Government Entity-Declared Disaster or Other Emergency* A special enrollment period (SEP) exists for individuals affected by a disaster or other emergency declared by a federal, state or local government entity who were unable to, and did not make an election during another valid election period. This SEP allows for enrollment and disenrollment elections. You can find more information in the CY2021 MA Enrollment and Disenrollment Guidance. SEP availability in Georgia – What you need to know · Individuals impacted by the recent executive order in Georgia are eligible for this SEP if they meet the criteria listed below. · This SEP applies to the entire state of Georgia and runs through March 31, 2021. · When helping eligible clients enroll, please write "SEP-DST" in the Reasons for Special Enrollment Period Eligibility section of the application. IMPORTANT: Remember, you cannot use this SEP opportunity to proactively market to beneficiaries. However, you can assist any clients who contact you about this SEP. Who's eligible Individuals are eligible for this SEP if they: · Reside, or resided at the start of the SEP eligibility period in Georgia. Or, they do not reside in Georgia, but rely on help making health care decisions from one or more individuals who reside in Georgia; and · Were eligible for another election period at the time of the SEP eligibility period; and · Did not make an election during that other valid election period due to the disaster or other emergency. Remember, the SEP is meant to provide a plan change opportunity for those that were unable to make a plan change due to the emergency. In addition, because the SEP Incident Date overlapped with AEP, the SEP only applies to individuals who did not make an election during AEP. In other words, this SEP is not available to those who made a plan change during AEP and are unhappy with their new plan. Unlike MA OEP, this SEP is available for those on Original Medicare that are requesting a plan change. They may use this SEP to request an election for enrollment into any MA/MAPD or PDP available in their service area.

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