What is the Open Enrollment Period (OEP)?

Written by Rachel Brammeier

What is the Open Enrollment Period (OEP)?

The Open Enrollment Period is a time when Medicare Advantage clients can change to a new Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage). Clients can also disenroll from their Medicare Advantage plan and obtain coverage through Original Medicare and enroll in a standalone Part D.

NOTE: Members enrolled in a stand-alone Part D, Medicare Supplement, or Medical Savings Account are not eligible for the OEP election.

When is OEP?

OEP begins January 1 and ends on March 31.

Who benefits from OEP?

This election is beneficial for various reasons. Whether you missed the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), didn’t fully understand that your current plan benefits had changed, failed to realize that a better plan was available, or your primary care physician fell out of network post enrollment, OEP is an opportunity to set things right.

How do agents take advantage of it?

Agents CANNOT knowingly target or send unsolicited marketing materials to Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan enrollees during OEP. However, agents CAN use generic communication during OEP, host events focusing on topics like new to Medicare or 5-star plans, send materials to beneficiaries who make a proactive request, hold one-on-one meetings with beneficiaries who request them, or give out OEP information if a beneficiary asks for it.

What other opportunities are there with OEP?

In 2025, there will be an abundance of changes due to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Part D changes, as well as the Final Ruling changes to the dual election.

Educating doctors, pharmacists, and Medicare eligible on these changes during OEP may spark new prospects.

Hosting chronic special needs events may help you obtain clients who can no longer enroll with the quarterly dual election, since it no longer exists.

Check out our blog on the Changes to DSNP Election in 2025!

Useful Resources

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

IRA What’s Changing – Fillable Client Flyer

IRA What’s Changing – Fillable Client PowerPoint Deck

IRA – Changes to Part D Coverage of Vaccines and Insulin

IRA Drug Smoothing Provision Information

Basic IRA Information

Part D Changes – 2025 Medicare Part D Flyer

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