How to Change Medicare Drug Coverage Plans

Many Americans on Medicare have to purchase drug coverage plans to fill the coverage gap left by Medicare. Medicare allows its participants to change their drug coverage plans during the Annual Coordinated Election Period from November 15 to December 31 of each year. For participants with special circumstances, an exception is made to allow a change in the drug coverage plan outside of the open enrollment period.

Things You'll Need

• List of your prescription drugs
• Current Medicare drug coverage plan

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Instructions

• 1

  Determine your drug coverage plan needs. These include an affordable deductible, coverage for your current prescription drugs and a low prescription drug co-payment.

• 2

  Evaluate your current drug coverage plan. Review your plan for coverage gaps that may need to be filled. Those gaps could result in your spending more money out of your pocket for prescription drugs.

• 3

  Review the various drug coverage plans that are available. Medicare drug coverage plans vary by county and state. Visit medicare.gov to use the interactive plan finder to get a listing of available plans in your area and to apply for coverage. Keep in mind when comparing plans that different Medicare drug coverage plans may not cover certain prescription drugs or may make smaller payments toward them.

• 4

  Select a coverage plan. The drug coverage plan you choose should be based on your finances and your prescription drug needs. If you anticipate a change in either, take that into account when selecting a drug coverage plan.

• 5

  Fill out the application for drug coverage. The interactive plan finder on medicare.gov includes an application form for your convenience. Do not skip any questions. Doing so could result in delayed processing of your application.

• 6

  Review the information on the application. Ensure that all of the information you entered is accurate. If not, use the back button to make corrections.

• 7

  Submit the enrollment form for processing. Read the terms and conditions before submitting the application. If you have any questions, contact Medicare directly before submitting your application.

• 8

  Print out the enrollment confirmation page. The confirmation page will include a confirmation number and contact information for the insurance company you chose.