Please review this information carefully to be sure you understand important enrollment and disenrollment deadlines. Also, please be aware before signing up for a Blue Cross Medicare plan, you must be eligible for Medicare Part A and enrolled in Medicare Part B.
Medicare Advantage Plans & Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDP)
If you're newly eligible for Medicare.
You can apply for a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan during any of the seven months that make up what's called the Initial Enrollment Period. This includes the three months before your birth month, the month of your birthday, and the three months after your birth month.
If you get Medicare due to a disability.
You can apply for a Part D plan during the 7-month period that begins 3 months before your 25th month of disability and ends 3 months after your 25th month of disability. You can also enroll during any of the seven months that includes the three months before your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday, and the three months after your 65th birthday.
Open Enrollment
October 15 – December 7
During this time, you may enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plan for the first time, change prescription drug plans, change Medicare Advantage plans, or return to Original Medicare. Your plan selection will take effect on January 1 of the following year.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)
January 1 – March 31
If you're a Medicare Advantage (MA) member, you can make a one-time election during the first 3 months of the calendar year to switch MA plans or to disenroll from an MA plan and obtain coverage through Original Medicare. Individuals using the OEP to make a change may make a coordinating change to add or drop Part D coverage. The effective date for an MA OEP election is the first of the month following receipt of the enrollment request.
New Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in a MA plan during their Initial Coverage Election Period may enroll in another MA plan or disenroll from their MA plan and return to Original Medicare during the first 3 months of their entitlement (i.e. the month of entitlement to Part A and Part B through the last day of the 3rd month of entitlement).
Enrolling throughout the year due to special circumstances.
If you have special circumstances, you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Part D Prescription Drug Coverage throughout the year, without worrying about the time periods listed above. Examples of a special circumstance would be if you move out of your current plan's service area or if you retire past the age of 65.
Medicare Supplement Plans (Medex)
Enroll at any time during the year.
After you enroll, you have, by law, at least 30 days to review your plan. If you decide you don't want the plan, you can get a full refund of any premiums you've paid during this "free look" period.