No need to wait - you can enroll now into a new Medicare plan.
Most people are not allowed to change Medicare Part D prescription drug or Medicare Advantage plans outside of the
annual Open Enrollment Period (or Annual Election Period) that runs from October 15 through December 7 of each year, with new coverage beginning on
January 1st of the next year.
However, a Special Enrollment Period is available for people who move to a new Medicare plan service area during the plan year and allows people to join a new Medicare prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period. (See other Special Enrollment Periods or SEPs).
So, when you moved to Florida from North Carolina, you changed your Medicare plan's service area and you will be granted a Special Enrollment Period to rejoin a Medicare Part D plan outside of the usual October 15 - December 7 Open Enrollment Period. This particular Special Enrollment Period for relocation outside of your Medicare plan's service area runs for two months after your July relocation.
Please note: You may not find exactly the same Medicare plans available in your new service area.
Some stand-alone Medicare Part D plans are available in all states across the country and if you were enrolled in a nationally available Medicare Part D prescription drug plan in North Carolina, the same prescription drug plan is probably available in Florida (most likely with a slightly different monthly premium, cost-sharing structure, and maybe even formulary or drug list coverage). For a quick overview of all stand-alone Medicare Part D plans in Florida, use our PDP-Finder.com/FL.
However, if you were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (that may have included prescription coverage), there is a good chance that the same Medicare Advantage plan is not available in your new service area.
Medicare Advantage plans are offered on a county-by-county basis and it is very possible that a Medicare Advantage plan from a specific county in North Carolina is not available in all counties of Florida. For more information, you can use our MA-Finder.com to get an idea of the Medicare Advantage plans that are available in your new county or ZIP code. Here is an example for the Miami-Dade area.
However, a Special Enrollment Period is available for people who move to a new Medicare plan service area during the plan year and allows people to join a new Medicare prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period. (See other Special Enrollment Periods or SEPs).
So, when you moved to Florida from North Carolina, you changed your Medicare plan's service area and you will be granted a Special Enrollment Period to rejoin a Medicare Part D plan outside of the usual October 15 - December 7 Open Enrollment Period. This particular Special Enrollment Period for relocation outside of your Medicare plan's service area runs for two months after your July relocation.
Please note: You may not find exactly the same Medicare plans available in your new service area.
Some stand-alone Medicare Part D plans are available in all states across the country and if you were enrolled in a nationally available Medicare Part D prescription drug plan in North Carolina, the same prescription drug plan is probably available in Florida (most likely with a slightly different monthly premium, cost-sharing structure, and maybe even formulary or drug list coverage). For a quick overview of all stand-alone Medicare Part D plans in Florida, use our PDP-Finder.com/FL.
However, if you were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (that may have included prescription coverage), there is a good chance that the same Medicare Advantage plan is not available in your new service area.
Medicare Advantage plans are offered on a county-by-county basis and it is very possible that a Medicare Advantage plan from a specific county in North Carolina is not available in all counties of Florida. For more information, you can use our MA-Finder.com to get an idea of the Medicare Advantage plans that are available in your new county or ZIP code. Here is an example for the Miami-Dade area.
- Browse Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
- Browse Medicare Advantage plans (MAPD)
- Sign-up for our Medicare Part D Newsletter.
- Still have a question? Click here to let us know.