Medicare Special Enrollment Period
Medicare Special Enrollment Period In Belvidere, Rockford, Aurora, Joliet, Elgin, IL, and the Surrounding Areas
* Areas served vary by plan.
While we all might know of the initial enrollment period for those turning age 65 in Belvidere, Rockford, Aurora, Joliet, Elgin, IL, and the surrounding areas, or the annual enrollment period that happens annually between mid-October and early December, there is another enrollment period that you need to know about. At Medicare and Prescription Services, we can help you to understand this special enrollment period and how you may be eligible for it given some specific circumstances. We will provide answers to some of the most common questions related to this special enrollment period, but you can always reach us at any time with other questions. Contact us today to learn more about this Medicare special enrollment period.
What Specific Life Events Qualify Me For An SEP?
Several specific life events will qualify someone for a special enrollment period. Generally speaking, these include:
- A change of living location
- Loss of current coverage
- A chance to get other coverage
- Your plan changes its contract with Medicare
- A few other specialized situations
How Long Do I Have To Make Changes (What Are The Deadlines)?
For most qualifying events that trigger a special enrollment period, the covered individual has 2 months, or 60 days, from the date of the qualifying event to make changes. Specifically, there is an 8-month window if you or your spouse loses group health coverage and you want to sign up for Medicare Part B.
How Do I Avoid Late Penalties If I Delayed Enrollment?
For many people that remain in the workforce and have an employer sponsored group health insurance option, they can simply remain on this plan until such time as their employment status changes. This will allow you to delay without incurring penalties because you have creditable coverage. COBRA coverage is not considered credible coverage, so you will need to exercise the 8-month window of the special enrollment period in order to avoid penalties.
Does Moving Change My Plan Options?
Moving MAY change your plan options, but you will need to check with your current plan provider to see if they can service you in the new area where you will live. If it is the case that you will have different plan options, then you have the 2-month special enrollment period where you can switch into a new plan that serves your new location.
What If I Lose My “Extra Help” Or Medicaid?
If you get notified that you will lose your ‘extra help’, you have a time frame where you can change plans. This time frame is 3 months long and begins either from the date that you were no longer eligible, or the date when you were notified that you are no longer eligible, which ever is later.
Can I Switch Plans If I Have A Low-Rated Plan?
There may be an opportunity that arises where you find out a 5-star rated Medicare Advantage plan becomes available in your area. Many would like to switch plans to this higher rated plan, and there is a special enrollment period for this, but it can only be exercised once between December 8 and November 30 of the following year.
What Is Considered "Creditable Coverage"?
We have used the term ‘creditable coverage’ earlier, and many may want to know what this means. Creditable coverage is health coverage that is comparable to what you would have on Medicare. Usually, employer-sponsored health coverage, like group insurance, is ‘creditable coverage’. It is important to note that COBRA insurance is NOT creditable coverage, so following the rules for special enrollment periods would prevail.
What Do I Do If I’m Released From Incarceration?
If you have continued to pay for Part A and/or Part B coverage while you were in jail, you then have 2 calendar months after you are released to join a plan. If you lost Medicare coverage while you were in jail, you may be eligible for a special enrollment period for Parts A and/or B, and then you will have 2 calendar months to join a plan.