Part D Enrollment
Enrollment Requirements
In order join a Medicare Part D plan you must:
- Have Medicare Part A or Part B. You do not need both.
- Live in the plan’s service area
You can only join, switch, or drop a Medicare drug plan (Part D) during certain times, called enrollment periods.
When to Enroll
There are specific times when you can join a Medicare drug plan (Part D) or make changes to you existing Medicare durg plan
- Enrollment Requirements
In order to Join a Medicare Part D plan you must:
- Have Medicare Parts A and/or B.
You do not need both.
- Live in the plan’s service area
You can only join, switch, or drop a Medicare drug plan (Part D) during certain times, called enrollment periods.
When to Enroll
There are specific times when you can join a Medicare drug plan (Part D) or make changes to your existing Medicare drug plan.
Initial Enrollment Period: If you are newly eligible for Medicare because you turned 65 you can enroll in Part D during the Initial Enrollment Period. There is a 7-month window that begins 3 months before your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday and 3 months after your 65th birthday. If you enroll during the first 3 months, coverage becomes effective the first day of the month you turn 65. If you enroll during the month you turn 65, or during the 3 months after you turn 65, coverage becomes effective the first of the following month.
Annual Enrollment Period: This period runs from October 15 to December 7 of each year with coverage being effective January 1st of the following year. During this time, you can join a Medicare drug plan, drop a Medicare drug plan, return to original Medicare, or switch a Medicare drug plan.
Special Enrollment Period: Under certain situations, you can enroll or make changes to a Medicare drug plan when certain events happen in your life. Examples consist of but are not limited to the following:
Initial Enrollment Period: If you are newly eligible for Medicare because you turned 65 you can enroll in Part D during the Initial Enrollment Period. There is a 7-month window that begins 3 months before your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday and 3 months after your 65th birthday. If you enroll during the first 3 months, coverage becomes effective the first day of the month you turn 65. If you enroll during the month you turn 65, or during the 3 months after you turn 65, coverage becomes effective the first of the following month.
Annual Enrollment Period: This period runs from October 15 to December 7 of each year with coverage being effective January 1st of the following year. During this time, you can join a Medicare drug plan, drop a Medicare drug plan, return to original Medicare, or switch a Medicare drug plan.
Special Enrollment Period: Under certain situations, you can enroll or make changes to a Medicare drug plan when certain events happen in your life. Examples consist of but are not limited to the following:
- Moving out of a service area
- Losing group or union coverage
- Moving back to the U.S. after living outside the country
- Living in or moving out of an institution such as a nursing home or rehabilitation hospital
- Were incarcerated and have been released
- Are no longer eligible for Medicaid
- Having a chance to enroll in other coverage offered by your employer or union
- Your Medicare Advantage Plan ends
- You’re eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid
- You receive Extra Help paying for Medicare drug coverage
- You’re in a state pharmaceutical program
- Moving out of a service area
- Losing group or union coverage
- Moving back to the U.S. after living outside the countryLiving in or moving out of an institution such as a nursing home or rehabilitation hospital
- Were incarcerated and have been released
- Are no longer eligible for Medicaid
- Having a chance to enroll in other coverage offered by your employer or union
- Your Medicare Advantage Plan ends
- You’re eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid
- You receive Extra Help paying for Medicare drug coverage
- You’re in a state pharmaceutical program
The coverage effective date for a special election period is the first of the month following the event.