Note:
In certain situations, you may be able to join a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan at other times. For example
If you are eligible for a
Medicare Advantage Plan, you can also join or switch Medicare Advantage Plans from January 1 to March 31 of any year, but you can't join or drop Medicare prescription drug coverage during this time. For instance, if you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan with prescription drug coverage, you could return to the Original Medicare Plan, but you'd have to also join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan at the same time. If you have questions about whether or not you can join or switch Medicare plans, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
Special Note for Joining Medicare Prescription Drug Plans:
If you don't join a Medicare drug plan when you are first eligible, you most likely will have to pay a higher
Premium that includes a
Penalty, unless you have had continuous
Creditable Prescription Drug Coverage. You will have to pay this penalty as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage. The next time you can join is from October 15--December 7 of next year, and your coverage won't start until January 1 of the following year.