Geisinger Health Plan Gold Election Periods
There are several kinds of elections periods, during which a Medicare beneficiary can join Geisinger Health Plan Gold:
1) Annual Election Period: All beneficiaries can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (like Geisinger Health Plan Gold) or make changes to their benefits during the Annual Election Period. For 2007, the Annual Election Period is from November 15, 2006, to December 31, 2006.
2) Initial Coverage Election Period: This period begins three months before an individual is first eligible for both Medicare Part A and Part B, and ends on the later of:
A) the last day of the month before the individual is eligible for Parts A and B, or;
B) After May 15, 2006, the last day of the individual's Part B initial enrollment period.The initial enrollment period for Part B is the seven month period that begins 3 months before the month an individual meets the eligibility requirements for Part B, and ends 3 months after the month of eligibility.
The Initial Coverage Election Period for an Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment election will frequently relate to either the individual's 65th birthday or the 25th month of disability, but it must always relate to the individual's entitlement to both Medicare Part A and Part B. When an individual enrolls in an Medicare Advantage- Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plan she/he used both the Initial Coverage Election Period and the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) for Part D.
3) Initial Enrollment Period for Part D (Medicare Prescriprion Drug Coverage): This period is the same as the Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare Part B (the seven month period that begins 3 months before the month an individual meets the eligibility requirement for Part B, and ends 3 months after the month of eligibility).
During the Initial Enrollment Period for Part D, individuals may make one Part D enrollment choice, including enrollment in an MA-PD plan.
Individuals eligible for Medicare prior to age 65 (such as disability) will have another Initial Enrollment Period for Part D based on upon attaining age 65.
The Initial Election Coverage Period (ICEP) and the Initial Enrollment Period for Part D (IEP for Part D) occur together as one period when a newly Medicare eligible individual has enrolled in BOTH Part A and B at first eligibility. Should an individual delay enrollment in Part B to a later time, the ICEP and IEP become separate with the ICEP changing to then occur as the 3 months immediately proceeding entitlement to both parts A & B.
4) Open Enrollment Period: For 2007, a Medicare Advantage eligible individual may make one Medicare Advantage Open Election Period (MA OEP) election from January 1st through March 31st. The Open Enrollment Period election must be made to the same type of plan (regarding Medicare prescription drug coverage) in which the individual is already enrolled.
Certain other enrollment and special election periods, or limitations may exist for some eligible individuals; please call the Customer Service Team at (800) 498-9731, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (TDD/TTY: (800) 447-2833) for more information on Geisinger Health Plan Gold's Open Enrollment Periods.
* Copays and limitations apply. Geisinger Health Plan Gold is an MA organization with a Medicare contract available to all Medicare beneficiaries residing in the Geisinger Health Plan Gold service area. Members must use Plan participating providers.