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I signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan during open-enrollment season and am just starting to use it this year, but I haven't been happy with the coverage. Is there any way to switch plans now?
You still can switch plans if you act quickly. You have until March 31 to switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another or from Medicare Advantage to traditional Medicare plus a Part D prescription drug plan. You can make the change for any reason.
After March 31, you can switch plans if you can prove that you were fraudulently signed up for the Medicare Advantage plan. Otherwise, you're generally stuck with your plan until open enrollment season starts again on November 15, 2008.
Now is a great time to make sure you have the best coverage. If you didn't spend time comparing plans before you signed up, take a careful look at the plans available in your area -- both for Medicare Advantage and Medicare plus Part D.
For more information about your Medicare Advantage and medigap options, use the Medicare Options Compare tool at Medicare.gov. Most state insurance departments also have information about the plans available in their area (see the insurance page at Kiplinger.com for links to each state insurance department Web site). For details about the Medicare Part D plans in your area, use the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder.
Be sure to compare total out-of-pocket costs as well as premiums. Some policies that charge very low premiums might charge higher co-payments for drugs and hospitalization, which could end up costing you a lot more by the end of the year. Make sure the doctors you use are covered, and check on the costs for drugs you use regularly.
For help, contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program or call 800-MEDICARE. The Medicare Rights Center also has a lot of helpful information about your options.
And if you discover you've been fraudulently enrolled in a plan without your knowledge -- which has been a big problem for some people -- contact your SHIP for help switching plans anytime during the year. Also complain to your state insurance department, which can take action against an agent if it finds a pattern of problems. See How To Spot a Health Scam for more information about how this can happen and what you can do to protect yourself.
For more information about the 2008 premiums and coverage for Medicare Part D plans, see Act Soon on Part D, which was written during open-enrollment season in the fall. Also see the Pros and Cons of Private Medicare Advantage Plans.
Keep in mind, though, that you have limited opportunities to switch plans now. You have until March 31 to switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another one or to traditional Medicare plus Part D prescription drug coverage. Or if you have Medicare plus Part D, you can switch to a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage during this time.
You cannot switch from one Part D plan to another one right now. You can only make that change during open enrollment period from November 15 to December 31, when you have the full range of enrollment options.
You can sign up for any of these plans during the three months before and after the month you turn age 65. The Washington State Insurance Department has a very helpful Medicare Advantage Enrollment Timelines booklet, which includes sign-up information that applies to people in any state (for more assistance, contact your own state insurance department).
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