Medicare Disenrollment Period January 1 – February 14

See the video: (NOTE, As of 2019, this period is now called the MAPD OEP - and there is now the option (January 1 to March 31) to change Medicare Advantage plans OR leave Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare.) See updated post on the Medicare Advantage OEP (January 1 to March 31) here. The absolute flood of Medicare Supplement applications will continue right through December. January starts another important opportunity, and the apps will continue to come.. Medicare Disenrollment Period This period is from January 1 through February 14th. Those on Medicare Advantage plans can opt to go back to original Medicare, where they'll need a Medicare Supplement from you. It's not guaranteed issue, so they will need to qualify for the Medicare Supplement based on health. If they voluntarily leave their M.A. plan in January, the Med Supp should start Feb. 1, as this is when they'll return to original Medicare. They will also need a new Part D drug plan that you can help them with, or refer them to Medicare.gov (1-800-633-4227) to select. Step 1: Apply for MAPD to start Feb. 1 (if writing in Jan or Feb) or March 1 (if applying in Feb). Step 2: Create a letter from the client to the MAPD company (Don't send it). Attach this letter to Med Supp application, or keep for Underwriter when they ask for it if you cannot attach it during the application process. If Approved on Med Supp - Tell them to now apply for a Part D plan to start Feb 1 (or March). This will automatically cancel their MAPD plan. You can have then send the actual disenrollment letter to their MAPD carrier, too, if they wish. If Not Approved on Med Supp - Stay on the MAPD plan. Service Area Reduction Folks These folks have been notified in October that, as of January 1, they will be returning to original Medicare because their Medicare Advantage plan is leaving their county. AARP says that as much as 5% of their membership, alone, is affected by this for 2014. This is a great opportunity. These people will return to original Medicare on January 1, if they do nothing to change it by signing up for another M.A. plan now. They have guaranteed issue, with that letter they received about the Service Area Reduction. They can use that letter and get Plan F guaranteed issue. Be cautious about writing these as guaranteed issue, though, as you will want to make sure the company you are recommending as a Medicare Supplement will pay you at least something in commissions! See the webinars on Guaranteed Issue considerations here. OR (better idea), you can explain to them the benefits of Plan G, rather than Plan F. (See the webinar here). Then, they would get a better value for their money, go through the underwriting questions to get Plan G, as it's not guaranteed issue, and that would pay you full commissions, too. If they're not approved for Plan G, those folks can still use that letter of termination of their M.A. plan to get Plan F as a last resort. Those people, too, will need to get a Part D drug plan, either through your help or by directing them to Medicare.gov. These are big opportunities for us that are uncovered by continuing to call folks and follow up with older leads. The opportunities for Medicare Supplement sales continue, steadily, throughout the new year! From Medicare.gov https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/when-can-i-join-a-health-or-drug-plan/when-can-i-join-a-health-or-drug-plan.html#collapse-3192 Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period. Enrollment Period Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period What can I do? If you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can leave your plan and switch to Original Medicare. If you switch to Original Medicare during this period, you'll have until February 14 to also join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to add drug coverage. Your coverage will begin the first day of the month after the plan gets your enrollment form. What can't I do? Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan. Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another. Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another. Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plan. When? January 1–February 14

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