What if I made a mistake on my Medicare application or enrolled in the wrong plan?

Application errors with Social Security, like wrong personal information or an incorrect enrollment date, should be reported to Social Security as soon as possible. Call them directly or visit a local office. The sooner you flag it, the easier it is to fix.If you enrolled in the wrong Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, the solution depends on timing. During your plan's Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 through December 7 each year), you can switch to a different plan without needing a special reason. If you are outside that window, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period depending on your circumstances. Medicare Advantage members also have a separate Open Enrollment Period from January 1 through March 31, during which they can switch to a different Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare.If you enrolled in a plan and quickly realized it was the wrong fit, contact the plan directly and also call 1-800-MEDICARE. In some situations, especially if you were misled by an agent, there are formal complaint and disenrollment processes available.The important thing is not to wait and hope the problem resolves itself. Enrollment decisions affect your coverage and your costs, and most issues have a solution if you act promptly.

Related Medicare Resources

• Medicare Advantage HMO Plans
• Medicare Advantage PPO Plans
• Medicare Supplement Plan G
• Compare Medicare Plans