Medicare OEP rules
Before we get into what the Medicare OEP rules are, we will discuss what the Medicare OEP is.
What is the Medicare OEP
The Medicare OEP is also called the Medicare Advantage OEP or (open enrollment period). This enrolment period is in addition to the Medicare annual enrollment period (AEP) that runs from October 15th through December 7th each year. The OEP is specifically enrollees of MA/MAPD plans. It begins January 1st and runs through March 31st each year. During this time, any MA/MAPD plan enrollee can switch to another MA/MAPD plan or Original Medicare and a PDP plan.
Find out more about the MA OEP
Clients who call you during the MAPD OEP and are unhappy with the coverage they chose, have one more opportunity to make a change. This can be helpful if they did not check their coverage options during the AEP. It is also useful when, your clients renew their coverage and find their plan has changed and no longer provides what they need for the new year.
To learn the differences between Medicare AEP vs. OEP
What agents can and can’t do during the MA/MAPD OEP
It is important to know; CMS has marketing guidelines in place for this enrollment period. Agents cannot knowingly target or send unsolicited marketing materials to members of MA/MAPD plans during this period.
A few things you should not do:
- Never send unsolicited marketing materials that mention the Medicare advantage OEP and the ability to change plans.
- Do not target Medicare enrollees by using a list of clients or lead list of beneficiaries who enrolled in a plan during AEP.
- Avoid using sales meetings that focus on the OEP to get beneficiaries to make plan changes.
Some things that are ok to do:
- If a beneficiary asks for information, you should send it to them or meet them to provide the requested materials.
- It is fine to continue marketing to anyone aging into Medicare who may need help going over their Medicare options.
- You can always market a 5-star plan if there are any available in your sales area. Click here to watch a video on an 5-star ISNP MA plan.
- Provide information to beneficiaries who qualify as either dual-eligible or LIS as they are able to make changes once during any of the first 3 quarters of the year.