CMS has established the following special enrollment period (SEP) to support Medicare beneficiaries impacted by hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.
Individuals who reside, or on a specified date, resided in a affected by the are a hurricane in 2017, will be eligible for a SEP that extends the 2018 Annual Open Enrollment Period (AEP) through December 31, 2017. This special enrollment period will allow Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees affected by these hurricanes to enroll, switch Medicare health or prescription drug plans, or dis-enroll and return to Original Medicare, and be in the market for a Medicare Supplement insurance policy.
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In addition, the extended AEP is available to those who rely on help making healthcare decisions from friends or family members who live in the affected area. Individuals may contact 1-800-MEDICARE to request dis-enrollment using this special enrollment opportunity.
The SEP opportunities are available to impacted counties in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Click here for a list of the affected counties.