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  2. Eligibility
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Don’t miss out!
Know when you're eligible to enroll for Medicare.

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1-877-823-8267 (TTY: 711)
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week
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Learn more about your Medicare options.

You are eligible for Medicare benefits if you qualify for Social Security and one of these qualifiers:

You recently moved to the area

You are turning or recently turned 65

You have a chronic health condition

You are losing your retiree health coverage

You are turning 65 and have Medicaid coverage

You are 65 or older and a special enrollment period is declared where you live

Age 65 or older and have a spouse entitled to Social Security benefits, even if you are not

Age 65 or older and are the widow/widower of someone entitled to Social Security benefits

Under age 65 and have received Social Security disability benefits for at least 24 months

Be sure to sign up when you’re eligible. If you don’t sign up when you’re eligible, you might owe a penalty. 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.

Have questions about your eligibility? Call 1-877-823-8267 (TTY: 711)

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Understanding Enrollment Periods

There are certain times when you can join a Medicare Advantage and/or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or make changes to your Medicare coverage. These are called “enrollment periods.”

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

  • Enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan from Original Medicare
  • Enroll from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare (but not from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan)
  • Add or drop Part D coverage

The Initial Enrollment Period is when someone first becomes eligible and can sign up for Medicare. For most people, this is when they turn 65.

It begins three months before your 65th birthday month and lasts three months after your 65th birthday month. For example, if you turn 65 in April, you can sign up in January, February, March, April, May, June or July.

If you sign up in any of the three months before your 65th birthday month, coverage starts on the first day of your birthday month. If you sign up during or after your 65th birthday month, your coverage start date will be the first day of the following month your application is approved.

After your initial coverage starts, you have three months to make a one-time switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or to Original Medicare.

You could qualify for a Special Enrollment Period during any month when certain events happen in your life. You may qualify for an SEP if...

  • You move
  • You are eligible for Medicaid
  • You move to an institution, like a skilled nursing facility or long term care hospital
  • You qualify for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs
  • You want to switch to a plan with a 5-star overall quality rating
  • There are other special circumstances where you may qualify for a special enrollment period. If you have questions, call us at 1-877-823-8267 (TTY: 711).

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) starts Jan. 1 and ends on March 31. During this period, you can:

  • Enroll from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
  • Enroll from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare (but not from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan)
  • Individuals may add or drop Part D coverage

Turning 65

Things to consider when making your initial choices.

Dual Eligibility

Understanding how Medicare and Medicaid work together.

Changing Your Plan

If your plan is not quite right, you have options.

Need answers now? Complete the form below to receive more information.

By completing this form, you give Wellcare permission to contact you. You may opt out of future communications at any time.
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      • About Our Plans
      • How To Enroll
      • Eligibility
      • Medicare Basics
      • In Your Neighborhood

      Benefit offerings vary by plan. ‘Ohana Health Plan, a plan offered by WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona, Inc. Washington residents: Health Net Life Insurance Company is contracted with Medicare for PPO plans. “Wellcare by Health Net” is issued by Health Net Life Insurance Company. “Wellcare” is issued by Wellcare of Washington, Inc. “Wellcare” is issued by WellCare Health Insurance Company of Washington, Inc. “Wellcare” is the Medicare brand for Centene Corporation, an HMO, PPO, PFFS, PDP plan with a Medicare contract and is an approved Part D Sponsor. Our D-SNP plans have a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. Our plans use a formulary. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings, call 1-877-MY-WELLCARE. There is no obligation to enroll. Arizona D-SNP plans: Contract services are funded in part under contract with the State of Arizona. New Mexico (NM) Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) Members: As a Wellcare by Allwell D-SNP member, you have coverage from both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid services are funded in part by the state of New Mexico. NM Medicaid benefits may be limited to payment of Medicare premiums for some members. Louisiana D-SNP prospective enrollees: For detailed information about Louisiana Medicaid benefits, please visit the Medicaid website at https://ldh.la.gov/medicaid. Notice: TennCare is not responsible for payment for these benefits, except for appropriate cost sharing amounts. TennCare is not responsible for guaranteeing the availability or quality of these benefits. Any benefits above and beyond traditional Medicare benefits are applicable to Wellcare Medicare Advantage only and do not indicate increased Medicaid benefits. Indiana D-SNP prospective enrollees: For detailed information about Indiana Medicaid benefits, please visit the Medicaid website at https://www.in.gov/medicaid. Wellcare by Allwell (HMO and HMO SNP) includes products that are underwritten by Superior HealthPlan, Inc. and Superior HealthPlan Community Solutions, Inc. “Wellcare” (HMO and HMO SNP) includes products that are underwritten by WellCare of Texas, Inc., WellCare National Health Insurance Company, and SelectCare of Texas, Inc. By completing this form, you agree to be contacted and receive autodialed calls/text messages from Centene or licensed agent for marketing purposes at the phone number provided now or the next enrollment period when new benefits information is available. Your consent is not required as a condition of enrollment. Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat Plan members, except in emergency situations. Please call our customer service number or see your Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost-sharing that applies to out-of-network services.

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