Video: Changing Medicare Plans

Video Transcript

Kevin Soden: Hi, I'm Dr. Kevin Soden. Welcome to Medicare Made Clear. I'm here with UnitedHealthcare's Dr. Richard Migliori where we're helping real people get answers to their Medicare questions.

Senior Man: I'm thinking about changing my Medicare coverage. When can I do that?

Richard Migliori Every year there's a set time period when anyone can enroll in or switch Medicare plans. It's called the annual enrollment period. This year the annual enrollment period starts and ends much earlier than in previous years. It starts on Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7.

There is also something called a Medicare Advantage disenrollment period. From Dec. 7 until Feb. 14, you can disenroll from a Medicare Advantage plan and return to original Medicare. If you do that, just make sure you still have creditable prescription coverage. If you don't, you can sign up for it at that time.

Soden: If they miss that time period, do they have to wait another full year?

Migliori: There are a few exceptions, but the vast majority of Medicare recipients will have to wait another full year if they want to change their options. I recommend re-evaluating your Medicare coverage on an annual basis because not only can some plans change, so can your health.

Soden: Thanks, Dr. Migliori.

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