On behalf of URL and the Medicare Offerings department, THANK YOU for another successful AEP!

Now that the AEP is over, here are some things to remember:

• Clients that are new to Medicare and have a 1/1/2016 Medicare effective date have until 12/31/2015 to enroll into a Medicare Advantage/Prescription Drug plan for a January 2016 effective date.
• Clients that were enrolled into the Geisinger MSA plan have an SEP until 2/28/2016 to enroll into new coverage for 2016. They do have a Guarantee Issue period for a Medicare Supplement plan. Plans that are available to the clients will vary by carrier.
• Coventry is processing all Plan Changes after December 7th, once all “new” applications have been processed for 1/1/2016.
• ID cards will be mailed out in mass mailings towards the end of the year for January 1st effectives.
• Pending applications and enrollments can be checked with each carrier directly.
  

Beginning on January 1, 2016, Medicare will initiate the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (MADP). MADP runs from January 1-February 14, 2016. It is important for agents and members to understand that the purpose of the MADP is to give Medicare Advantage members an opportunity to return to original Medicare. It is not an additional enrollment period nor is it an opportunity for Medicare Advantage members to switch to different MA plans.

• During MADP:
  • People enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan (MA-PD) may disenroll from the MA-PD and will have the opportunity to enroll in a standalone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP).
    VERY IMPORTANT: MA-PD members who enroll in a standalone PDP during this period will be automatically disenrolled from their current MA-PD and will not have the option of enrolling in another Medicare Advantage Plan.
  • Members who are in a Medicare Advantage only plan may request disenrollment from the MA plan and will then receive a Special Election Period (SEP) to enroll in a PDP standalone plan. The SEP is available from the time the disenrollment request is made until the member enrolls in a PDP or after February 14, whichever comes first
  • Members who have both a standalone MA and a standalone PDP may disenroll from the MA plan, but may not make a change to their current standalone PDP.
  • Members who have a standalone PDP, but are not enrolled in a MA plan may not make any change to their current PDP plan and may not enroll in an MA plan.
  • People with Medicare who are not enrolled in any Part C Medicare Advantage plan have no options under MADP to make any change in their Medicare coverage.
• Members who use the MADP to disenroll from their Medicare Advantage plans will have their disenrollment effective on the first day of the month following their disenrollment request. Those disenrolling from Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO or Network PFFS, must continue to use network providers until their disenrollment takes effect. Otherwise neither Medicare nor their MA plan will cover out-of-network expenses, other than under the terms of their existing MA plan. Those leaving MA can choose to apply for a Medicare Supplement policy providing they qualify under the terms of the policy they wish to purchase.  

Stay tuned for additional information about sales opportunities now that the AEP is over.