Medicare enrollment Periods for California

Medicare enrollment periods for California are the same for the entire United States. However, California does have a Birthday Rule for Medicare Supplement Plans.

ICEP (Initial Coverage Election Period)

Begins 3 months before you’re entitled to Medicare Part A and enrolled in Part B. It ends either the last day of the month before you’re entitled to Part A and enrolled in Part B or 3 months after the month of your 65^th birthday. If you are under 65 and on SSID (Social Security Disability Insurance) you may apply for a Medicare Advantage plan the 25^th month of receiving SSID.

IEP (Initial Enrollment Period Part D)

Begins 3 months before your 65^th birthday, your birthday month, and 3 months after your birthday.

You can enroll in Medicare Parts A, B, and D when you turn 65.

Note: (What is the difference between Medicare IEP and ICEP?

The difference between IEP and ICEP is the IEP is for enrolling in Part A, Part B, and Part D. The ICEP is for joining in Part C.)

AEP (Annual Election Period)

AEP also know as Open Enrollment Period is October 15 to December 7 each year.

You can enroll, disenroll or change Medicare Advantage Plans and Prescription Drug Plans.

GEP (General Election Period)

GEP is annually from January 1 to March 31.

You can enroll in Medicare Part B for the first time. If you enroll during this period (and it is after your Initial Enrollment Period), your coverage will begin on July 1, following your enrollment.

MA-OEP (Medicare Advantage Plan Open Enrollment Period)

When you can use MA-OEP is from January 1 to March 31 and people choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan during their ICEP the month of entitlement to Part A andB through the last day of the third month of entitlement.

You can disenroll from a Medicare Advantage Plan with or without a prescription drug plan. Then return to Original Medicare. You can change your Medicare Advantage Plan, change Part D. (Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan to a Medicare Advantage Plan with a prescription drug plan. Or change from a Medicare Advantage Plan with a drug plan to a Medicare Advantage Plan without a drug plan.) (After disenrolling from a Medicare Advantage Plan with or without a drug plan you may enroll in a prescription drug plan.)

SEP (Special Election Period)

• If you moved to a new address that isn’t in your plan’s service area.
• If you moved to a new address that is still in your plan’s service area, but you have new plan options in your new location.
• You moved back to the U.S. after living outside the country.
• You just moved into, currently live in, or just moved out of an institution (like a skilled nursing facility or long-term care hospital.)
• Being released from jail.
• If diagnosed with a chronic condition. You may apply for a SNP (Special Needs Plan) for that condition.
• 5 Star Special enrollment period from December 8 to November 30. You may switch plans once to a 5-star Medicare Advantage Plan, Cost Plan, or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan available in your area.

Medicare Supplement Plans

1. You have guaranteed issue for a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan during your open enrollment period that starts 6 months after you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B.
2. Birthday Rule: If you already have Medigap insurance, you have 30 days of “open enrollment” following your birthday annually, when you may apply for a new Medigap policy without medical screening or a new waiting period. The new policy must have the same or lesser benefits as your old policy. To avoid confusion, the new law specifies which of the new Plans are equal to the old Plans.
3. You can apply for a Medigap plan at any time other than your open enrollment period if you’re 65 years old and enrolled in Part B. You will have to go through underwriting unless you have a special election period.
4. Trial Period:

You have guaranteed issue for a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan during your open enrollment period that starts 6 months after you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B.
Birthday Rule: If you already have Medigap insurance, you have 30 days of “open enrollment” following your birthday annually, when you may apply for a new Medigap policy without medical screening or a new waiting period. The new policy must have the same or lesser benefits as your old policy. To avoid confusion, the new law specifies which of the new Plans are equal to the old Plans.
You can apply for a Medigap plan at any time other than your open enrollment period if you’re 65 years old and enrolled in Part B. You will have to go through underwriting unless you have a special election period.
Trial Period: During you’re ICEP if you selected a Medicare Advantage Plan. 1) You would have 12 months to change to some Medigap Plans with guaranteed issue. 2) If you selected a Medigap Plan when you were first eligible for Medicare. You could change during Open Enrollment to try it. Then you would have 12 months that you can switch back to your Medigap Plan with guaranteed issue.

Conclusion

You must have Part A and Part B to sign up. There are many opportunities to sign up for a Medicare Insurance Plan. In addition, there are times you can change the plan you are on. Think about what flexibility you want with your plan. Your budget is important, do you want to pay a premium for a Medicare Insurance plan. Think about your medical condition. Consider what doctors and other providers you want to keep. We suggest you speak with an independent broker for Medicare to select the proper plan for you.