As a result of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided a special enrollment period for all Medicare beneficiaries in the impacted areas. This special enrollment period gives individuals an additional chance to change their Medicare plan in the event that they were unable to make an election during the Open Enrollment window (October 15 – December 7). This includes the opportunity to enroll, disenroll or switch Medicare health or prescription drug plans. This special enrollment period runs until December 31, 2017.
To be eligible for the special enrollment, you must reside or have recently resided in an area for which FEMA has declared an emergency or major disaster. Additionally, anyone who does not live in the affected areas but relies on help making healthcare decisions from friends or family members who live in the affected areas are eligible.
