FALSE! In actuality, there are just two things Fall Open Enrollment is designed for, and it only applies to those people already on Medicare:
#1. Changing your Prescription Drug Plan (PDP). If you are enrolled in Original Medicare and decide your PDP is no longer meeting your needs and/or you need to shop for a better plan/price, this is the time designated to do so.
#2. Leaving your Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plan and switching to Original Medicare with a supplement (Medigap Policy). According to infomercials, your mail and email, Medicare Advantage is a no-brainer and best for everyone, touting low to no premiums with so many perks, right? However, once you start accruing medical debt, need out-of-network doctors and the like, switching to Original Medicare and a supplement may likely be your better choice. This is the only time period you have to move to Original Medicare.
Open/Annual Enrollment has nothing to do with finding a different Medicare supplement. If you wish to shop for a better price (all plans are standardized by Uncle Sam), you can do it any day of the year — you are not restricted to a window of time. It costs nothing but a few minutes to get your questions answered.
For people completely new to Medicare (most just turning 65 years old), there is an exclusive open enrollment period, also. When you are broaching 65, you have seven months to apply for Medicare itself (Parts A & B): three months prior to your 65th birthday, the month of your birthday, and three months after your birthday. It is often referred to as your Initial/Open Enrollment.
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