Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Offers One-Time Chance to Change Your Mind: Allsup Outlines Rules for Switc...( January thro...),Health

January through March, open enrollment helps Medicare recipients make sure they've made the right choice

Belleville, IL (Vocus) January 12, 2009 -- Although annual Medicare enrollment has ended, some Medicare Advantage beneficiaries can still switch their coverage during the current Medicare open enrollment period. That information comes from Allsup, a leading provider of Social Security disability, financial and healthcare-related services to people with disabilities.

"Most people think the Medicare Advantage choice they make during annual enrollment, which runs Nov. 15 to Dec. 31, is written in stone for the next year," said Paul Gada, personal financial planning director and product manager for Allsup Medicare Advisor(SM). "But under certain circumstances, beneficiaries can change their plan by March 31, and they should take advantage of this if they don't think the plan they have is going to best fit their needs." The Allsup Medicare Advisor service helps people with disabilities choose the best, most affordable Medicare plan to meet their specific needs.

During the open enrollment period, Jan. 1 through March 31, some individuals have an opportunity to switch plans, but there are limitations. Specifically, they must continue to keep prescription drug coverage if they had it as of Dec. 31. Or, if they did not have prescription drug coverage as of Dec. 31, they cannot add it to their plan.

For example, someone could switch from a traditional