When can I change to Medicare giveback plan

We have big reviews on Medicare giveback plans explained or even compared but what can we do with this information?

If we see a better giveback option or we want to move to this type of plan from another Advantage plan, what are the rules?

We'll go through the different most common situations below but first our credentials:

It's recommended to go over the Giveback plan comparison page to really understand how to compare these options.

Sure the giveback amount is important (that's why we're here to begin with) but there so much more and break it all down.

• Why change giveback plans
• When can I change giveback plans
• When can I enroll newly in a giveback plan from traditional Medicare
• When can I change medi-medi giveback plans
• How to quote and change giveback plans

Let's get started!

Why change giveback plans

So many people are on plans that aren't necessarily the best fit for them.

In a county like Los Angeles, you can see quite a range of JUST giveback plans!:

Look at the spread of just the giveback amount from $50 to $164.

Part of this calculation is how much our actual Part B premium based on prior year's income.

It doesn't make sense to get a plan that offer a $100 giveback if your Part B premium is only $50 all other things being equal.

Alignment's plan at $164 is very popular now since it almost hits the full standard Part B premium of $185 (goes up each year).

Then there's the "all other things".

We go through this in depth since these plans need to also offer good health coverage:

• Star Rating - how actual members review being on the plan
• Out-of-Pocket Max - your exposure in case of big healthcare costs
• Doctor Networks - do your doctors participate
• Medications - are they covered?

Things change but generally, existing Advantage plan members just realize that there's a better option.

They usually hear about it from a friend OR they've read through our Giveback Guide!

So...you find a plan that works better for your situation. Do you have to wait for year's end?

When can I change giveback plans

We have a review on when you can change your Advantage plan with more detail but giveback plans follow the same rules.

They're Advantage plans after all!

• Annual Enrollment period: Oct 15th - Dec 7th: Enroll, Drop, or Change for Jan 1st
• Open Enrollment period: Jan 1st - March 31st: Change existing Advantage plans
• Big life changes (move, etc): During year
• Involuntarily loss of plan: During year
• New to Medicare (new Part B): During year
• To a 5 Star plan (if available): During year
• Medi-Medi: once per quarter for first 3 quarters (Wellcare has a medi-medi giveback plan)

There are other lesser-used triggers but those are the big ones.

If you want to check on your particular situation, email us at help@calhealth.net or pick a time to chat.

If you're changing from giveback to giveback plan, the new plan will be effective the 1st of the month after the change if approved except for the Oct 15 - Dec 7th which will generally have a Jan 1st eff date..

The new giveback benefit will start that same month although it may take some time for Social Security to get the feed if the change processes right before the end of the month.

We'll look at how to speed this giveback plan change up quite a bit below.

What about for people who just have Medicare (with or without a supplement) and want a giveback plan?

When can I enroll newly in a giveback plan from traditional Medicare

This is a little more restrictive than making changes from an existing Advantage plan.

• New to Medicare: You have 3 months before and after your new Part B month to enroll. Effective date will be following enrollment but Part A and B effective date is earliest available
  
• Annual Enrollment Period - Oct 15th - Dec 7th: Jan 1st effective date

Again reach out to us with your situation and we'll track down any available options.

Most advantage plans include Part D for medication already by the way. More on Part D here.

Learn why it's not advisable to just have Medicare alone.

Now is not the time to take on the risk especially if we have Advantage plans that in many areas can be zero premium.

What about people with medi-medi (medi-cal eligible generally)?

When can I change medi-medi giveback plans

So we have all the Advantage plan rules above but even a few more if you're eligible for medi-cal.

Advantage plans are very popular with medi-medi members already.

The giveback plan offers a very attractive extra benefit for these people who are very cost sensitive by definition.

The Alignment giveback plan benefit is almost $2000/year!

People eligible for Medi-cal have an additional rule for changing giveback plans:

Once per quarter for the first 3 quarters.

Effective date will be the 1st of the month following the change.

The Jan-March is more flexible since you can't newly enroll during this period without medi-cal. Only change existing Advantage plans.

Now we can enroll, drop, or change Advantage plans if eligible for medi-cal once per quarter for the first 3 quarters.

This includes the Giveback plans of course which are Advantage plans by design.

Again, if all this is confusing (it is!!), email us at help@calhealth.net or pick a time to chat.

Just know that people eligible for medi-cal have more flexibility and we're happy to help with the process.

Speaking of process!

How to quote and change giveback plans

Rather than hound you with calls and emails, we believe in putting you in control.

We make this fast, free, and secure here:

Make sure to filter plans by "Part B Giveback".

Also, to get the best quote:

• Enter your doctors/hospital under "Preferences"
• Enter your medications/dosages
• Enter your preferred pharmacy
• Sort by "Total Estimated Cost"

You'll be able to see the Star Ratings in your area which is crucial before making any changes.

You'll also see if your doctors are in-network by plan. Equally important.

Changing plans if we're eligible is easy!

Just "Add to Cart" through the quote. If approved, the change will automatically get transmitted to your current Advantage carrier.

Effective date will be the 1st of the month after enrollment/approval.

Again, we're here to help if you need 5 Star Google rated free assistance! Who doesn't need that?  help@calhealth.net or pick a time to chat.