When can one change or enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan?
To be eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan you must:
- have both Medicare Part A and Part B
- continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium, unless it is otherwise paid for under Medicaid or by another third party
- reside in the service area of the plan
Here's information on when you can change plans:
Medicare Enrollment Center
Health Net's Explanation
Aetna's Explanation
Blue Cross 2008 Summary
CA Health Advocates.org
secure horizons.com/
It doesn't say anything about if you cancel, they won't enroll you or if you have medical problems.
Member Rights
secure horizons.com/
Who is eligible for membership in Freedom Blue PPO?
Anyone who meets the following criteria is eligible for membership:
You maintain Part A (Hospital) of Medicare and continue to pay your Part B (Medical) premiums.
If you are not entitled to Medicare Part A benefits, you can purchase Part A through the Social Security Administration, and you must continue to pay the Part A premium to remain eligible for Freedom Blue.
Your permanent residence is within the geographic service area of Freedom Blue PPO.
You do not have kidney failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation (End-Stage Renal
Disease [ESRD]), unless you were enrolled as a member of any commercial BC Life & Health
health plan at the time of diagnosis with no lapse in coverage
Page 4 blue cross ca.com
If I need to disenroll what happens to my health care coverage?
Your membership in BC Life & Health?s Freedom Blue PPO is automatically renewed on a monthly basis. If you move out of California or decide that Freedom Blue is not right for you, you can disenroll from Freedom Blue. You can do this by writing to Freedom Blue, by going to your Social Security Office or by calling Medicare at 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227).
For requests for disenrollment received by BC Life & Health Freedom Blue PPO by the last day of the month, your effective date of disenrollment will be the first day of the next month. For example, if we receive your disenrollment request on or before April 30th, your effective date of disenrollment will be May 1st. You will receive Medicare benefits through the traditional method of fee-for-service, unless you have enrolled in another Medicare Advantage
HMO, or if you decide to take advantage of our Medicare Supplement Conversion Option, your coverage will convert to the plan you choose. In either case, you will not be penalized by Medicare in any way.
This might be in your Secure Horizons Agreement
I understand that enrollment in this plan is generally for the entire year. I may disenroll from Freedom Blue only at
certain times of the year, or under certain circumstances, by sending a written request to Freedom Blue Member
Services, the Social Security Office, the Railroad Retirement Board, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY/TDD: 1-877-
486-2048). I understand that I must continue to receive all my health care from Freedom Blue providers until
BC Life & Health informs me of the effective date of disenrollment.
C. Effective date of coverage will normally be the first of the month following receipt of the completed application.
Please note: Individuals newly eligible for Medicare may apply up to three months prior to their eligibility date for
Medicare.Their enrollment date will be the same date as their Medicare effective date.
Individuals submitting an application during the Annual Open Enrollment in November must choose an enrollment effective date: December January bluecrossca.com
Check the provisions in this Evidence of Coverage
Rules on changing Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare Website
19 Page report on Part D & MA Plans ca health advocates.org
Summary from BC on Medi Gap Enrollment 2 Pages
Chapter 2 - Medicare Advantage Enrollment and Disenrollment 164 Pages
CMS Marketing Guidelines MA Plans 179 pages
Four Enrollment Periods
Initial Coverage Election Period
Annual Election Period
Open Enrollment Period
Special Election Period
