How to enroll.

The Annual Enrollment Period starts on October 15 and ends on December 7. During this time period, you can:

• Enroll into a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan
• Enroll from one Medicare Advantage plan to another or Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan
• Enroll into Original Medicare from a Medicare Advantage plan

When you make changes to your coverage during this time, they take effect January 1.

The Open Enrollment Period starts January 1 and ends on March 31. During this period, you’ll have a one-time opportunity to:

• Enroll from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
• Enroll from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare with the option of enrolling in a Part D stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan
• Individuals may add or drop Part D coverage

You could qualify for a Special Enrollment Period during any month when certain events happen in your life, even if it’s outside of AEP and OEP. You may qualify for an SEP if:

• You move
• You are eligible for Medicaid
• You qualify for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs
• You’re getting care in a nursing facility or long-term care hospital
• You are enrolled in a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Plan (SPAP)

Medicare beneficiaries who go for 63 days or more without “creditable drug coverage” must pay a late enrollment penalty. Creditable coverage is prescription drug coverage that meets Original Medicare’s standards.

All new Wellcare members can get a temporary 30-day supply of Part D prescription drugs anytime during the first 90 days of joining our plan (31 days if Long Term Care) on most covered drugs.