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5 Things to know about Medicare Advantage OEP – January 1 to March 31, 2024
- What changes can an individual make during the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period (OEP)?
- Individuals enrolled in a Medicare Advantage prescription drug (MAPD) plan or Medicare Advantage-only plan can use the OEP to get a different MAPD plan or MA-only plan or they can return to Original Medicare (with or without a PDP).
- Individuals enrolled in an MA plan can change to a Medicare Supplement plan as long as the application is accepted by underwriting for that plan. Enrolling them in a PDP automatically disenrolls them from their MA plan, which cannot be easily undone. This is why it’s important to first get underwriting approval.
- How many plan elections can an individual make during OEP?
- Only one
- What types of changes are not allowed during the MA OEP?
- Individuals enrolled in Original Medicare cannot use the OEP to join an MA or MAPD plan, add a PDP, or change their PDP.
- Switching from a Blue Medicare Advantage Simply Blue PPO with Classic Bundle to Blue Medicare Advantage Simply Blue PPO with Active Bundle. The bundles are part of the plan benefits and not considered a change of plans. You cannot write a new application to add dental for the purpose of switching bundles. However, you may write a new application to add the dental optional supplemental benefit with the same bundle selection.
- If I collected a Scope of Appointment (SOA) during AEP, is it good during OEP? It depends on the type of products selected on the original SOA.
- If the original SOA indicates the beneficiary gives permission to discuss MA plans and they want to discuss a different MA plan, the SOA is still good.
- If the original SOA indicates the beneficiary gives permission to discuss MA plans but they now want to discuss Medicare Supplement plans, you will need a new SOA.
- Am I allowed to “market” to beneficiaries during OEP?
- You can market to age-ins or individuals preparing to retire who have not made an enrollment decision.
- You can market to low-income subsidy beneficiaries who, in general, may make changes once per calendar quarter during the nine months of the year.
- If a beneficiary contacts you directly, you can send marketing materials, hold one-to-one meetings, and provide information on the OEP.
- Agents may not contact former enrollees who have selected a new plan during AEP.
- Agents may not engage in or promote agent/broker activities or send unsolicited marketing materials to advertise the opportunity to make further sales.
Your Broker Development and Engagement Manager is here to answer your OEP questions.
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