How to Change a Medicare Insurance Carrier

Participants in Medicare Part C have their choice of private insurance companies to administrate their benefits. Part C covers standard doctor visits, including primary and specialist care. These Medicare Advantage providers offer Medicare Part C subscribers to use their benefits in health maintenance organization (HMO), preferred provider organization (PPO) and high-deductible health plan (HDHP) formats. If a subscriber isn't happy with a Medicare Advantage plan or her needs have changed, she can take advantage of enrollment periods to select another option.

Instructions

• 1

  Obtain a Medicare Part C brochure that outlines your options, including a comprehensive list of Medicare Advantage plan providers. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services makes these available on Medicare.gov (see Resource). You can also request hard copies by calling the toll-free Medicare customer service line.

• 2

  Review your options, and decide which plan best fits your needs and budget. You can enlist the help of the Medicare customer service center, representatives of the various insurance companies as well as insurance brokers who specialize in Medicare Advantage plans.

• 3

  Use the Medicare online enrollment system to elect a new Medicare Advantage plan carrier during the open enrollment period of Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Alternatively, you may request open enrollment forms from the Medicare customer service center. From Jan. 1 to Feb. 14, you may request to drop Medicare Advantage and return to original Medicare, however, you cannot begin a Part D prescription plan until after Feb. 14.

• 4

  Contact Medicare for enrollment and change forms if you qualify for a special enrollment period (see Resource). Common reasons for a special enrollment period include moving and entrance into long-term care facility. You will need to inform Medicare representatives and provide proof of your qualifying event in order to receive an enrollment packet.