How to end Membership in a Medicare Advantage Plan
Instructions
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Cancelling Plans During Annual Election Period
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1
Enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan. During the annual election period, usually held in the fall, you can choose a new plan from those offered in your area. When you enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan, your enrollment in the previous plan is automatically canceled by Medicare.
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2
Call 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE) to cancel your membership in your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to original Medicare. You only need to do this if you are not enrolling in a new plan.
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3
Choose a new Medicare Part D plan if you are not enrolling in a new Medicare Advantage Plan. When you call Medicare, it will present your options.
Cancelling Medicare Advantage Plans Outside the Annual Election Period
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4
Confirm that you are within the period when you can cancel your plan; in general, you must stay in your plan for the entire year. In 2011, you can cancel your plan and return to original Medicare from Jan. 1 to Feb. 14. After that date, you are locked into your plan for the rest of the year and cannot make changes until the next annual election period.
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5
Contact either Medicare or your plan's administrator to cancel your enrollment. If you contact your plan directly, you may be sent a form to complete and sign before the cancellation takes effect.
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6
Choose a new Medicare Part D plan. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Medicare Part D, or prescription drug coverage. When you cancel that plan, you are required to choose a new prescription drug plan.
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