How to Change Medicare HMO Plans

The Medicare Advantage Program offers flexible coverage options to recipients. You can choose from a variety of different plans. Your choice will affect the cost, coverage and convenience of your health insurance. Selecting the right plan for your needs can seem overwhelming. In some cases, the plan you choose is not what you expect. In other cases, your coverage needs change as life changes. No matter what the reason, Medicaid allows you to change your HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plan. However, there are limitations on when you can change your plan.

Instructions

• 1

  Know the dates you are allowed to make changes. Medicare allows you to switch your plan during the Open Enrollment Period, which is November 15 through December 31 each year. During this period, if you are in original Medicare, you can switch to the Medicare Advantage Plan and select your HMO. This is the period when you are allowed to make changes to your prescription coverage, also known as Part D. The changes will take effect January 1.

  Medicare recipients have one more opportunity to make HMO plan changes. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is from January 1 to March 31. During this period, you can make specific HMO plan changes, but you cannot change or enroll in a Part D plan.

• 2

  Research Medicare HMO plans. Since Medicare only allows one plan change each year, it is important to choose carefully. Visit Medicare.gov to read about the plans available to you. Medicare.gov also offers a personalized plan search. You will need to enter your Medicare identification number, last name and zip code to create the most individualized results.

• 3

  Contact Medicare to switch your plan. You can call Medicare at 800-633-4227. You can also make plan changes online through the "My Medicare" section of the Medicare.gov website. Have your member identification number on hand. Enrolling in a new plan automatically disenrolls you from the previous plan. The new plan coverage will begin on the first of the month after Medicare receives your enrollment request.