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Medicare
Eligibility and Enrollment
Find out if you qualify for a Blue Cross Medicare Advantage plan and when you can enroll.
Am I Eligible?
To enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, you need to:
- Have Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B
- Live in the Medicare Advantage plan's service area
- Not be enrolled in another Medicare prescription drug plan at the same time
If you are enrolled in a Medicare prescription drug plan, you may only receive your Medicare prescription drug benefits through that plan. Check to see if you already have prescription drug coverage as part of that plan.
When Can I Enroll?
Enrollment periods are time frames when you can enroll in a Medicare plan. There are four enrollment periods for Blue Cross Medicare Advantage plans.
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
The Initial Enrollment period, or IEP, is when you first become eligible for Medicare. This is during a seven-month period near your 65th birthday.
- It starts three months before the month you turn 65
- It includes the month you turned 65
- It ends three months after the month you turned 65
It’s important to enroll in Medicare during your IEP. If you miss this period, you may need to wait until one of the other enrollment periods listed below.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
The Annual Enrollment Period, or AEP, is the annual time when anyone who is eligible for Medicare can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage plan. If you already have a plan and are happy with it, you don’t have to do anything.
To help you get the most out of AEP, keep these key dates in mind:
- You can start browsing plans October 1
- You can buy a plan starting October 15
- AEP ends December 7
- If you apply for a plan during this time, the coverage for your new plan begins on January 1.
Open Enrollment Period (OEP)
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) is January 1 through March 31 each year. During OEP:
- Enrollees (those who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan) can pick a different Medicare Advantage plan or switch to Original Medicare. You may only make one election, or plan change.
- New Medicare beneficiaries (those who enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan during the first three months that they were eligible – the three months before turning 65) can make a plan change. In this case the OEP occurs from the month of eligibility to Part A and Part B through the last day of the third month of eligibility.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
In most cases, you can stay in the plan for the calendar year when your coverage began. But, when certain events happen in your life, you may be able to join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan. This is called a Special Enrollment Period.
Below is a list of some, but not all, events that may qualify you for Special Enrollment:
- Moving outside of the plan's approved service area
- Entering or leaving a qualified institution, such as a nursing home
- Qualifying for low-income subsidy assistance (Extra Help)
- Enrolling in Medicaid
- Involuntarily losing creditable prescription drug coverage
- Leaving or losing your employer's health plan
Contact us if any of these situations apply to you.
Ready to Enroll?
Ready to get started on your journey with Medicare?
Enroll in a Blue Cross Medicare Options plan today.
Get a Quote and Enroll Online
Get quotes for our Blue Cross Medicare Options plans and enroll online today.
Enroll Online
Get Help from an Agent
Fill out a simple form and a BCBSIL authorized agent will contact you within two business days. You’ll get the personalized help you need to find the right insurance plan for you.
Request an Agent
Enroll by Phone
If you prefer to enroll by phone, we can help. Speak with a Medicare Plan Specialist today.
Contact Us to Enroll Today
Enroll by Mail
Use the Document Lookup Tool to download an application by searching your zip code and selecting a specific plan. Once downloaded, complete and mail it in to the address listed in the application.
Download an ApplicationPlan Star Ratings
Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) evaluates Medicare plans based on a 5-star rating system. The highest score a plan can receive is 5 stars. More stars mean better performance and quality.
Learn more about star ratings .
What Plans Are Available In My County?
Are you already enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and live in one of the counties below? You’re eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.
