As a result of this year’s devastating hurricane season, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have decided to make special enrollment periods for those living in an area affected by a hurricane. The enrollment periods will allow individuals and families who were impacted by the hurricanes the opportunity to change their Medicare health and prescription drug plans.

Here are the outlines for the special enrollment periods, from CMS.gov:

“CMS established the following special enrollment periods to support individuals impacted by hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria: 

• Medicare special enrollment period:  This special enrollment period will allow individuals affected by these hurricanes to enroll, dis-enroll or switch Medicare health or prescription drug plans. It is available at the start of the incident period and runs through the end of the calendar year. Individuals may contact 1-800-MEDICARE to request enrollment using this special enrollment opportunity.
    
• Federal Health Insurance Exchange special enrollment period:  CMS created this special enrollment period for certain individuals impacted by these hurricanes who need to enroll in a 2017 plan through the Exchange or make changes to their existing 2017 plan. This special enrollment period will apply to individuals who experienced a special enrollment period qualifying event between 60 days prior to the start date of the incident period and December 31, 2017, but were unable to complete the application, plan selection, and enrollment process due to a hurricane-related weather event in 2017. This special enrollment period will allow individuals impacted by the storms to select a new 2017 Exchange plan or make changes to their existing plan at any time through December, 31, 2017. Individuals affected by the storms may contact the Exchange Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 to enroll in a plan.”

The Medicare special enrollment period allows you to switch from Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage into a Medicare Supplement plan.

Visit our Medicare Supplement Plans page.