Hurricane victims now have special enrollment periods: 8 things to know

CMS is offering special enrollment periods for Medicare beneficiaries and others affected by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

Here are eight things to know.

1. The agency said the move will allow Americans to change coverage on the federal ACA insurance marketplace, and immediately sign up for coverage if eligible for the special enrollment periods.

2. One special enrollment period is specifically for Medicare beneficiaries. Beneficiaries affected by the storms will be able to sign up, dis-enroll or change Medicare health or prescription drug plans.

3. CMS said the special enrollment period is available from the first day the incident occurred and goes through the end of 2017.

4. Another special enrollment period targets Americans affected by recent hurricanes seeking to enroll in a 2017 plan through the ACA marketplace or to make changes to their current 2017 plan, according to CMS.

5. The agency said this special enrollment period is for Americans "who experienced a special enrollment period qualifying event between 60 days prior to the start date of the incident period and Dec. 31, 2017, but were unable to complete the application, plan selection and enrollment process due to a hurricane-related weather event in 2017." These Americans will be able to choose a new 2017 plan or make changes to their existing plan through the last day of this year.

6. Beneficiaries eligible for the Medicare special enrollment period may call 1-800-MEDICARE to request enrollment. Americans affected by the hurricanes may call 1-800-318-2596 to sign up for coverage.

7. CMS said it is also offering a special enrollment period to those who live in or moved from areas affected by a hurricane this year. This special enrollment period extends the 2018 annual open enrollment period through Dec. 31. The 2018 enrollment period is slated for Nov. 1-Dec.15 of this year.

8. Americans eligible for this special enrollment period may call 1-800-318-2596 to request enrollment after the regular 2018 open enrollment period ends.  

 

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