WHA Care+

When can I join WHA Care+?

WHA Care+ may only accept your election if it is made during the appropriate election period. WHA will determine your enrollment effective date. The effective date can never be prior to the receipt of a completed enrollment form.

You can join a Medicare Advantage Plan:

1. when you first become eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B, during the period that starts three months before the month you turn age 65 and ends three months after the month you turn age 65. If you get Medicare due to a disability, you can join three months before and after your 25th month of cash disability benefits. This enrollment period is called the Initial Coverage Election Period, or ICEP.



2. between November 15, 2007 and December 31, 2007, if you currently have Medicare. If you join by December 31, 2007, your coverage will begin on January 1, 2008. Enrollment is generally for the calendar year. This enrollment period is called the Annual Election Period, or AEP.
   
   
3. under certain special circumstances. For instance, if you already have a Medicare Advantage Plan and you move out of that plan's service area, you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan that is offered in your new area. You can also switch your plan if you move into or out of a nursing home, have Medi-Cal coverage, have recently lost employer coverage, or you have recently stopped receiving extra help. This enrollment period is called the Special Election Period, or SEP. Please complete the Eligibility Checklist so we may determine if you are eligible to join under this period.
   
   
4. if a Medicare Advantage plan offers open enrollment during the Open Enrollment Period, or OEP. WHA does offer open enrollment during the OEP. You may make one OEP election from January 1st through March 31st. OEP elections must be made to the same type of plan that you are already enrolled in. The effective date of coverage is the first day of the month after we receive a completed enrollment form. If you already have a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare health plan with prescription drug coverage but want to switch plans, you can only switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare health plan that offers prescription drug coverage. Likewise, if you have a plan without prescription drug coverage but want to switch plans, you can only join a plan that doesn't include drug coverage.

Special Note if you have limited income and resources: If you receive full Medi-Cal coverage, you can join or switch a plan at any time.

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