Often we hear: "I enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan during the annual Open Enrollment Period, then, I changed my mind and enrolled in Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage before the AEP ended." And from our experience, it is fairly common for people to submit more than one Medicare plan enrollment application during the AEP. Sometimes people make mistakes on their first application --- or they find a Medicare Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan that they prefer or that provides more affordable prescription and health coverage --- or sometimes people just forget that they enrolled early in the AEP and resubmit an application before receiving the enrollment confirmation or Welcome Letter.
Also, we occasionally hear from people who just can’t say “no” to an advertisement or sales person and enroll in numerous Medicare plans during the Annual Election Period (AEP).
As a note, we do not recommend multiple Medicare plan enrollments.
As you might imagine, people who enroll in several different Medicare Part D plans during the AEP can expect an "avalanche" of New Member or "Welcome" information that will be sent from the different Medicare Part D plan providers. And sorting through the various Medicare plan information may take some time.
A better idea is to take your time, understand your Medicare plan alternatives and enroll in your chosen plan - only once.
On the positive side, the "last-in-wins" rule allows for added flexibility for early Medicare Part D enrollees who, later in the enrollment period find a more suitable Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or have a change in medications or health that would make another Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan more affordable or desirable.
Still not sure which Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan will be providing your next year's coverage?
You can always call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 and a Medicare representative can tell you the name of your currently effective Medicare Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan - along with the plan contact information.
Where does the Medicare documentation write about "last in" enrollment?
New combined Medicare Advantage and Part D Enrollment and Disenrollment Guidance Updated: 2024, Section 30 – Election Periods and Effective Dates, state:
"An individual can, in most situations, submit more than one enrollment request prior to the effective date. The last enrollment choice made, determined by plan receipt date, will be the choice that becomes effective. Once an election takes effect, eligibility for that election period ends. Please refer to § 70.1 for further information on 'multiple transactions.'"Section 70.1 Multiple Transactions states,
"Generally, the last enrollment request the individual makes during an enrollment period will be accepted as the plan into which the individual intends to enroll. If an individual elects more than one plan for the same effective date and with the same application date, the first transaction successfully processed by CMS will take effect. When simultaneous enrollment in certain MA plan types and a separate PDP is permitted, CMS systems will accept both enrollments.
Example:
Two MAOs receive enrollment forms from one individual for an April 1 effective date. MAO #1 receives a form on March 4 and MAO #2 receives a form on March 10 for an April 1 effective date. Both organizations submit enrollment transactions, including the applicable effective date and application date. The enrollment in MAO #2 will be the transaction that is accepted and will be effective on April 1 because the application date on the enrollment transaction is the later of the two submitted. Both plans receive the appropriate reply on the DTRR.
Example:
Two PDP sponsors receive enrollment requests from one individual for an April 1 effective date. PDP #1 receives a paper enrollment form with all required information on March 5. The individual completed an enrollment request for PDP #2 by telephone on the same day, March 5. Both enrollment requests have the same application date since they were received by the PDP on the same date. PDP #1 transmitted the enrollment to CMS on March 5, the day it received the enrollment request; however, PDP #2 waited until March 8 to transmit the enrollment to CMS. The enrollment for PDP #1 will be the transaction that is effective on April 1, as it was the first transaction successfully processed by CMS."