NAPCA Column 15: 2 important Medicare enrollment periods to end on March 31, 2025

The two important Medicare enrollment periods will end on March 31, 2025. Additionally, be sure not to miss the application open period for home energy assistance.

Question 1: I realized that I missed my Initial Enrollment Period. When can I enroll in Medicare?

Answer 1: If you missed your Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare and you don't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you can still sign up during the General Enrollment Period. This period takes place every year from January 1 to March 31.

If you enroll during this time, your coverage will begin on the first day of the following month. For example, if you sign up in March, your coverage will start in April. However, be aware that late enrollment penalties may apply, which can increase the cost of your monthly premiums.

Question 2: I am currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, but I found a better plan that fits my medical needs after the deadline of the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period. Should I wait for the next open enrollment period to switch to the better plan?

Answer 2: If you find a better plan after the Annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period ends (which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year), you don’t necessarily have to wait until the next open enrollment period. You can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP), which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year.

During this period, those already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to another Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare with a Part D prescription drug plan. Keep in mind you can make only one change during this period, so choose wisely!

Question 3: I am finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with my energy bills. Are there any programs or assistance options available to help manage these expenses?

Answer 3: You can get assistance from the LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program). This is a federally funded program that helps low-income households to meet their immediate home energy needs. This program provides an eligible household with an annual cash grant to help you pay for your home heating and cooling costs. The grants are paid either directly to you or to your energy company.

To be eligible a household must have an income that does not exceed the greater of 150% of the federal poverty guideline (e.g., monthly $2,555 for a two-person household). While assets are generally not a primary factor, some states may count assets as part of the eligibility requirements.

Enrollment periods may not be year-round. The application period typically runs during the winter months, often starting in November and ending in April, depending on the state. This is the ideal time to apply for assistance with the winter heating costs.

* National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of AANHPI older adults and their families. It operates a NAPCA Senior Assistance Center for Older Adults and Caregivers and is available in 5 different languages.

If you have questions about public benefits, there are 3 ways you can reach NAPCA:

Call: (English) 1-800-336-2722,

(Chinese Mandarin) 1-800-683-7427,

(Chinese Cantonese) 1-800-582-4218,

(Korean) 1-800-582-4259,

(Vietnamese) 1-800-582-4336,

Email: askNAPCA@napca.org

Mail: NAPCA Senior Assistance Center, 1511 3rd Avenue, Suite 914, Seattle, WA 98101