Enrollment

Whether you’re enrolling in Blue Cross Medicare Advantage for the first time or switching your Blue Cross Medicare Advantage plan, there are three ways you can enroll.

Anyone can join, switch or drop a Medicare prescription drug plan between October 15 and December 7. If you apply during this time, coverage begins on January 1.

Making Changes to Your Coverage After December 7

Between January 1 and February 14, if you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can leave your plan and switch to Original Medicare. If you switch to Original Medicare during this time, you’ll have until February 14 to also join a Medicare prescription plan. Your coverage will begin the first day of the month after the plan gets your enrollment form.

During this period, you can’t do the following:

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
• Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another
• Join, switch or drop a Medicare Medical Savings Account Plan

When you first become eligible for Medicare, you can join during the 7-month period that starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65.

In most cases, you must stay in the plan for the calendar year when your coverage began. But you may be able to join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan during a Special Enrollment Period. Below is a list of some, but not all the reasons you may need to change during a Special Enrollment Period:

• Moving outside of the plan’s approved service area
• Entering or leaving a qualified institution, such as a nursing home
• Qualifying for low-income subsidy assistance (Extra Help)
• Enrolling in Medicaid

Contact us if any of these situations apply to you.

For more information, refer to the Medicare and You Handbook. 

*Dates subject to change after January 1, 2019. 

Extra Financial Help

After You Enroll

Disenrolling From Your Plan