Select the scenario that applies to you.

Important: Please read carefully.

My Situation: (New at 65)

I am turning 65 (or recently turned 65)
I am new to Both Medicare A&B
I just signed up for a Medicare Supplement Plan and/or a Part D Plan
or I enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan

Next Action Steps: Since you are new to Medicare and this is your first time getting set up with Medicare-related health coverage, you'll want to ensure any prior coverage is properly canceled so that there is no duplication in coverage for when this new coverage starts. This includes, but is not limited to, coverage through the Marketplace (ACA, healthcare.gov) and/or Employer Group coverage.

My Situation: Changing Medicare Supplement Plans (moving from one supplement to another)

I was previously enrolled in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan (for example, Plan G, Plan N, Plan F, etc.)
I’ve replaced that plan with a new Medicare Supplement Plan with a new or different company. I’ve received confirmation that my new plan application has been approved.

Next Action Steps: Since you’ve applied for a new Medicare Supplement plan and you’ve received confirmation that you’ve been approved, you will need to call your current Medicare Supplement plan and inform them that you have new coverage. Please inform them when your new policy will start - tell them “it is effective on (date).” Ask them, “what is the cancelation procedure?” Be sure that you do not have an lapse or gap in coverage - i.e. if your new coverage begins on Feb 1, ask for the old coverage to end with the last day of coverage on Jan 31.

*Note - Most companies will allow you to “stop future payments” by a verbal request over the phone. Some will also allow you to cancel the policy by phone. Others may require a written request to cancel - regardless of their procedure, please follow the procedure as outlined to you by the customer service representative.

My Situation: Changing a Stand-Alone Medicare Part D Plans (Rx-Only) - (“I’m moving from one Part D Plan to another”)

I was previously enrolled in a Medicare Part D (Rx) Plan.

I’ve replaced that plan with a new Medicare Part D Plan (Rx) with a new or different company. I’ve received confirmation that my new plan application has been approved.

Next Action Steps: Since you are replacing a different Part D plan - there is no action needed (Medicare will only allow you to be enrolled in one Medicare Part D plan at a time, so they will facilitate the canceling of the old Medicare Part D plan).

My Situation: Changing from one Medicare Advantage plan to a new/different Medicare Advantage Plan - (“I’m moving from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another”)

I was previously enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan (Medicare Part C).

I’ve replaced that plan with a new Medicare Advantage Plan (Medicare Part C Plan) with a new or different company. I’ve received confirmation that my new plan application has been approved.

Next Action Steps: Since you are replacing a Medicare Advantage plan with this new Medicare Advantage plan - there is no action needed (Medicare will only allow you to be enrolled in one Medicare Advantage plan at a time, so they will facilitate the canceling of the old Medicare Advantage plan).

My Situation: Changing from a Medicare Advantage with Prescription Drugs Included (MAPD) to a Medicare Supplement Plan paired with a Medicare Part D Plan.

I was previously enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan (Medicare Part C) and my Medicare Advantage plan included Rx coverage (MAPD).
I’ve replaced that plan with a new Medicare Supplement Plan. I’ve received confirmation that my new plan application has been approved.
I’ve also enrolled in a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan (for Rx coverage), and I’ve received confirmation that the Part D plan has been approved as well.

Since you are replacing your old Medicare Advantage plan with this new Medicare Supplement + Part D combo - there is no action needed (Medicare will cancel the old Advantage plan based on your enrollment in the Part D plan).

My Situation: Changing from a Medicare Supplement Plan Paired with a Medicare Part D Plan to a Medicare Advantage with Prescription Drugs Included (MAPD).

I was previously enrolled in a Medicare Supplement Plan (for example, Plan F, Plan G, Plan N).
I was also enrolled in a Part D Plan to cover my Rx’s.
I’ve replaced this with a new Medicare Advantage Plan which includes Rx coverage. I’ve received confirmation that my new plan application has been approved.

Next Action Steps: Since you are replacing your old Medicare Supplement + Part D combo with this new Medicare Advantage plan - there is action needed to cancel your old supplement plan (Medicare will cancel the old Part D plan based on your enrollment in the Medicare Advantage plan, so no action will be required to cancel your old Part D (Rx) plan).

Since you’ve applied for a Medicare Advantage plan and you’ve received confirmation that you’ve been approved, you will need to call your current Medicare Supplement plan and inform them that you have new coverage. Please inform them when your new policy will start - tell them “it is effective on (date).”

Ask them, “what is the cancelation procedure?” Be sure that you do not have a lapse or gap in coverage - i.e. if your new coverage begins on Jan 1, ask for the old coverage to end with the last day of coverage on Dec 31.

My Situation: Retirement Post-65 (New to Part B + Medicare-related Health Ins)

I’m over the age of 65 — I’ve been working and I’ve been covered by Employer Group Health Insurance.
I’m new to Medicare Part B and I’m also new to Medicare-related Health Insurance. I’ve not needed it in the past, because I’ve been covered by Group Health, either through my job or the job of my spouse.
I’ve now enrolled into Medicare-related Health Insurance (i.e., a Medicare Supplement Plan + Part D, a Medicare Advantage Plan).

Since you are leaving your employer coverage and this is your first time getting set up with Medicare-related health coverage, you'll want to ensure any prior coverage is properly canceled so that there is no duplication in coverage for when this starts.

Once you are fully set up on your new plan, and no longer in your employer plan — there may still be issues with coordination if Medicare still has “on file” that you are on a group plan as your primary coverage (even if you’ve taken steps to cancel the group coverage). If this occurs and your bills are not being properly routed to your new primary insurance, please call the following:
Benefits Coordination & Recovery Center (BCRC) - 1-855-798-2627.

Important: You will likely receive correspondence from your plan and/or Medicare regarding a LEP (Late Enrollment Penalty). It is imperative that you respond to these correspondences and fill out any required paperwork. This will ensure that Medicare will have documentation from you regarding prior creditable coverage.

My Situation: I just “added” coverage, I’m not replacing anything.

I didn’t change my “major medical” policy, I simply added Dental, Vision, Cancer, Hospital Indemnity, or something similar. Usually, no action is required unless you previously had similar coverage and you’ve completed a “replacement.” i.e., maybe you had Dental through Company A, and now you’ve simply switch to Company B (but your major medical has not changed). Simply, be sure to cancel any prior coverage which you believe is no longer needed. If you have questions, please reach out.

Other?

This list (above) is not exhaustive, but it does cover the most common scenarios that we deal with. If you are in a situation that does not fit any of the scenarios outlined above, and you are curious to find out if you need to do anything else now that you have new approved coverage - please call me - 855-887-5050.