People may lose their Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan for various reasons, including unpaid premiums, relocation, or when a plan is discontinued.

After the loss of a plan, a person may join another Advantage plan, but they may need to do so within a certain time frame. They may also return to original Medicare, Part A and Part B.

This article discusses the situations that may lead to the loss of an Advantage plan. Next, it describes the four main Advantage plans, and explains how to join a new plan.

We may use a few terms in this piece that can be helpful to understand when selecting the best insurance plan:

  • Deductible: This is an annual amount that a person must spend out of pocket within a certain time period before an insurer starts to fund their treatments.
  • Coinsurance: This is a percentage of a treatment cost that a person will need to self-fund. For Medicare Part B, this comes to 20%.
  • Copayment: This is a fixed dollar amount that an insured person pays when receiving certain treatments. For Medicare, this usually applies to prescription drugs.
a man reading a letter about how he a medicare advantage plan can drop youShare on Pinterest
Nonpayment of premiums may lead to a person losing their Advantage plan.

There are several reasons a person might lose an Advantage plan, including in the following three cases.

Nonpayment of premiums

A person can lose their Advantage plan when they do not pay the monthly premiums. An individual must get a notification that the plan will disenroll them unless payment is made within a certain time frame.

The plan must offer a grace period of at least two months before they disenroll someone. The grace period begins on the first day of the month in which a person did not pay the premiums.

When a person is disenrolled by an Advantage plan, they will receive automatic enrollment in original Medicare, as long as they have paid the Plan B premiums.

However, if a person wants to enroll in another Advantage plan, they must wait until the next Open Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7.

Relocation to a different area

If a person moves to an area that is not within their plan’s service area, they may either join another Advantage plan or return to original Medicare. This tool may help a person find a plan in their new location.

A person’s opportunity to enroll in a new Advantage plan depends on when they notified their plan about the move.

When someone notifies their plan before they move, their opportunity to change plans begins 1 month before the move and ends 2 months after the move.

When an individual notifies their plan after they move, their opportunity to change plans begins the month of notification and ends after 2 months.

A company can stop offering an Advantage plan for various reasons, including the three following scenarios:

  • Medicare takes contract action or enforcement against a plan sponsor. In this circumstance, an individual may join another Advantage plan. Medicare determines the time frame in which they may do so on a case-by-case basis.
  • Medicare does not renew the plan’s contract. When this happens, a person may join another Advantage plan during the Special Enrollment Period, which runs from December 8 through February 28.

Medicare Advantage is the alternative to original Medicare. The plans are offered by private companies.

The plans provide the hospital insurance of Part A and the medical insurance of Part B, and, in most incidences, prescription drug coverage (Part D).

Some Advantage plans offer additional coverage, such as vision, dental, and hearing coverage.

The four most common types of Advantage plans are: Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans, Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans, and Special Needs (SN) plans.

Health Maintenance Organization plans

An HMO plan usually requires a person to choose in-network providers, except in emergencies. Most plans provide prescription drug coverage. They also usually require a referral to see a specialist.

Preferred Provider Organization plans

Someone with a PPO plan has the choice of using in-network or out-of-network providers, but the former cost less. Most plans offer prescription drug coverage. They generally do not require a referral to see a specialist.

Private Fee-for-Service plans

A PFFS plan has set amounts on how much it pays providers, as well as set fees for people to pay when they get care. A person may choose from in-network or out-of-network providers, but the former cost less.

Some plans offer prescription drug coverage. They typically do not require a referral to see a specialist.

Special Needs plans

Individuals with certain disabilities are eligible for SN plans. This option customizes benefits, providers, and prescription drug coverage to meet the specific needs associated with each disability.

Most plans require a referral to see a specialist.

A person’s first step in joining an Advantage plan is to use the search tool to see options in their area.

After someone decides on a plan, they can make a direct application to the company. There are several ways to make an application:

  • A person may be able to apply online via the company’s website.
  • The company must provide a paper enrollment form.
  • A person can choose to call the company. The contact information may be found on the company’s website.

A person may also get more information by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Several scenarios may lead to the loss of an Advantage plan. In each situation, a person may join another Advantage plan, although there may be enrollment period restrictions.

If a person does not join a new plan within the specified time frame, they receive automatic enrollment in original Medicare. This action prevents a person from being without coverage.