Are you unhappy with your current Medicare Advantage plan?

If so, there is some good news. Now from January 1, 2019 through March 31, 2019, the CMS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will allow you to switch plans one time with the Extended Medicare Open Enrollment Period 2019 (OEP). This is a nationwide three-month extended Medicare Advantage open enrollment period vs. last year where those unhappy with their Medicare Advantage choice only had the option of switching to traditional Medicare coverage.

What Are You Allowed to Do During the Extension?

Drop the your Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare.

Add a drug plan, Part D.

Change to a different Medicare Advantage or PDP plan. Note, this is a one time election.

The extension gives you more options and allows your to reconsider your previous decision. “Any time an individual has an additional period of time to reconsider a choice they’ve made, from my perspective, it’s a good thing,” said Bill McKendree, coordinator for the Allegheny County Apprise program that helps seniors select a Medicare plan.

What Should You Do Next?