Marketing during Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) is when Medicare Advantage (MA) plan members can make changes to their existing MA plan or disenroll from their current MA plan and return to Original Medicare. It runs from January 1 to March 31.
 

It is important to ensure you understand the guidelines around communicating with consumers or engaging in marketing activities during this time frame. Agents may not market the MA OEP or market the option to change plans during this time using MA OEP. However, if a consumer reaches out to let you know they are unhappy with their current Medicare Advantage plan, you can tell them about the MA OEP. Ask if they have changed their plan since Jan. 1, 2025, and learn the reason for their plan change. If they have not already used the MA OEP, they may be eligible for this one-time election period.   

Below are some frequently asked questions about enrolling in other plans during MA OEP.

How can a consumer use MA OEP to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (MA)

• During MA OEP, consumers enrolled in a MA plan can make a one-time election annually from January 1 through March 31 to disenroll from their current MA plan (with or without drug coverage) and enroll in another MA plan (with or without drug coverage) or return to Original Medicare with or without a stand-alone PDP (using SEP PDP/OEP). Once members move back to Original Medicare, they can choose to enroll in an ATRIO Health Plan. During the MA OEP, the effective date of the new plan will be the first of the month following receipt of the enrollment application.  
   

If a consumer has disenrolled from an MA plan and returned to Original Medicare during MA OEP, can they enroll in a standalone Part D Plan (PDP)?  

• Yes, during MA OEP, if a consumer disenrolls from their MA plan and returns to Original Medicare, they have the option to enroll in a standalone PDP. The PDP effective date will be the first day of the month following receipt of the enrollment application.

Last updated Jan 23, 2025