Many healthy seniors choose a low monthly payment for a Medicare Advantage plan. But when a health emergency strikes -say a broken hip that requires post surgery rehab – the co-pays and deductibles can be horrific! But, you can change your plan without waiting for the end of year open enrollment.
A little known provision of Medicare allows for a “Special Circumstances Enrollment Period.” During such a period you can change your Medicare provider. It will be effective the next month – no waiting. Here’s the word straight from Medicare:
What can I do?
When?
Your chance to join, switch, or drop coverage lasts as long as you live in the institution and for 2 full months after the month you leave the institution.
(Above info comes from: https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/joining-a-health-or-drug-plan/special-circumstances-special-enrollment-periods )
That’s right if you are in the hospital or post-hospital nursing home rehab unit and you face enormous copays and deductibles or your MA plan does not include a rehab unit near your home, you can change your Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan and it will be effective the next month! And after you are out of rehab you can go back to your old plan within 60 days of returning home. Note, that a plan may not accept you but shop around: you will have choices!
All the best,
Jim