How to end Membership in a Medicare Advantage Plan

Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C, are insurance plans offered by independent insurance companies. These plans must offer the same amount of coverage as Medicare Parts A and B and may also offer other coverage, such as vision, dental and wellness benefits. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, unless you meet certain income restrictions you must pay a monthly premium for your coverage in addition to the monthly Medicare Part B premium. Medicare beneficiaries can cancel their Medicare Advantage plans for any reason, but there are restrictions on when and how.

Instructions

Cancelling Plans During Annual Election Period

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.