2013 Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollment Options
(Effective December 8, 2012)

You are limited to making changes in your Medicare Advantage plan and Part D prescription drug plan options only between October 15 - December 7 each year except as follows:

-If you are eligible to join or are already a member of a Medicare Advantage plan, you may be able to make one change to your coverage by not later than February 15, 2013. You may drop your Medicare Advantage plan coverage and only switch to Original Medicare coverage for the remainder of 2013.

-If you are new to Medicare (65th birthday or disabled), you can join a Medicare Advantage plan (HMO, PPO, PFFS) or a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan during the period that starts three months before the month you get Medicare, and ends three months after you get Medicare.

-If you have both Medicare and full Medicaid coverage, you can join a Medicare Advantage plan (HMO, PPO, PFFS) or a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan at any time..

In special circumstances, Medicare may give you an opportunity to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan –

A) if you permanently move out of your existing plan's service area;

B) if you have creditable prescription drug coverage and that coverage ends;

C) if you live in, move into or out of an institution - nursing home, for example.

Note: To determine whether you qualify for extra help paying for prescription drugs based on low income criteria, visit the Social Security Administration at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/i1020.

Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services