area agency on aging of western michigan

Medicare Information

Catch the Medicare Bus, November 30, 2006

Medicare Part D Enrollment Doesn’t Stop for Everybody on May 15

 

Although the initial enrollment period for most Medicare beneficiaries ends on today (May 15), there are many individuals who are still eligible to enroll in a Part D plan. The Medicare beneficiaries who may continue to enroll in a Part D plan are:

  • Turning 65: Beneficiaries turning 65 and who are now Medicare eligible have a seven month enrollment period beginning three months before turning 65, their birth month, and three months after their month of birth
  • New to Medicare (Disabled Under 65): Similar to beneficiaries who are turning 65,  other types of individuals who became eligible for Medicare on or after Feb. 1, 2006 have an initial enrollment period for Part D that is the 7-month period surrounding Medicare eligibility. People who qualify for Medicare because of a disability have a “month” in which they become eligible for Medicare to enroll in a Part D plan. 
  • Dual Eligibles: May continue to change plans as often as once per month. Once the beneficiary enrolls in a plan, Medicare will send notice of the disenrollment to the old plan. Discuss with your dual eligible patients whether their plan’s formulary continues to meet their needs.
  • Low Income With Special Enrollment Period: Beneficiaries who are eligible for the low income subsidy (LIS) receive letters from CMS indicating they may enroll in a Part D plan during a special enrollment period. 
  • Beneficiary with Regional Plan Moves Out of State: If the beneficiary moves to a state where his/her current Part D plan is not approved by Medicare to provide coverage, he/she may enroll in a plan that provides service in that geographical area.

Upon enrollment, the patient’s benefit is effective the first of the following month following receipt of the enrollment application.

Your eligible patients may join Medicare Part D plans by:

  • Submitting a paper application
  • Calling Medicare at 800-MEDICARE
  • Applying online at www.medicare.gov

All other eligible Part D Medicare beneficiaries who did not enroll in a plan by May 15 must wait until the next open enrollment period which runs Nov. 15-Dec. 31, 2006 for the 2007 benefit year.