Starting January 1, 2019, there will be an Open Enrollment Period (OEP) that will allow Medicare beneficiaries to make “like plan” changes until March 31, 2019. This is not just an extension of the Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) which is between October 15th and December 7th each year. The AEP dates remain unchanged.
The new Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) allows individuals enrolled in an Medicare Advantage plan, including newly Medicare Advantage-eligible individuals, to make a one-time election to go to another Medicare Advantage plan or Original Medicare. Individuals using the OEP to make a change may make a coordinating change to add or drop Part D coverage.