Also known as the Annual Election Period, it runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, with changes taking effect on January 1. During this period, beneficiaries can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, join or change a Part D prescription drug plan, or select a new Medicare Advantage plan. It’s essential to review the Medicare & You handbook and any Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) or Evidence of Coverage (EOC) from your current plan to understand updates in costs, benefits, or rules. Medicare’s Plan Finder tool can help compare plans, and enrolling directly through Medicare offers added protections in case of enrollment issues.
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
HICAP is a volunteer program that helps Medicare recipients, their family, and caregivers understand their health insurance benefits, options, and rights. HICAP offers free, unbiased, confidential, and personal assistance from health insurance counselors registered by the California Department of Aging.
We offer help with Medicare, Medicare supplement policies, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), and long-term care insurance. We can also help you with filing and preparing insurance claims and Medicare appeals, if your claim has been denied.
Ask us about our free educational presentations on Medicare and other health insurance-related topics.
More Information
Self-Help for the Elderly
601 Jackson Street 2nd Floor,
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 677-7520 or (800) 434-0222
Click on the link below to watch a YouTube video.
Medicare Advantage 101: A Beginner’s Introduction to Medicare Advantage