What is the Open Enrollment Period (OEP)?

During the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) January 01 - March 31 an individual has the opportunity to make an MA election. During an OEP MA organizations are not required to open their MA plans for enrollment. However, because Original Medicare is always open during an OEP, an MA organization must accept valid requests for disenrollment during the OEP. MA eligible individuals may make one MA OEP election during the first 3 months of the year. A change of election made during an OEP is limited to the same type of plan in which the individual making the election is already enrolled. For example, an individual who is enrolled in an MA-PD plan may elect another MA-PD plan or disenroll from the MA-PD by enrolling in Original Medicare with coverage under a PDP. An individual who is in Original Medicare and is enrolled in a PDP may elect an MA-PD. However, the individual may not elect an MA plan that does not provide qualified prescription drug coverage. An MA-eligible individual who is ...  more