Does your 2009 Medicare plan meet your needs? If not, there are special enrollment options for anyone who wants to move into or out of a Medicare Advantage medical plan. Now, through March 31, 2009, anyone enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan may switch to a different Advantage plan or back to original Medicare Parts A & B (with or without a Medicare supplement).

In addition, Minnesotans with Medicare who aren’t currently enrolled in an Advantage plan may switch to an Advantage plan. (The options for moving into and out of Advantage plans are described on page 14 in the 2009 edition of the Minnesota Senior Federation’s publication Health Care Choices.)

This is also an appropriate time to consider whether your Part D prescription drug plan is right for you. Some switches you make may require you to change Part D plans; some of the Advantage Plans will require you to sign up for their Part D plans. A Part D change may also be required if you disenroll from an Advantage plan.

During this unique open enrollment period, you can only enroll in Part D (or join an Advantage plan that includes Part D) if you already have a plan. If you are not enrolled in a Part D plan,you will have to wait until the next Part D open enrollment period - Nov. 15 through Dec. 31 - to do so, and you may be subject to a premium penalty. People who qualify for the Extra Help available to pay for Part D, who have not yet joined a plan may enroll at any time.

Just under 30 percent of Minnesotans were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in 2008. There are five main types of Advantage plans in Minnesota: HMOs, Point-of-Service Organizations (much like HMOs), PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations), Chronic Care Special Needs Plans, and Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans.

You must have both Medicare Parts A and B to enroll in an Advantage plan, and you are not eligible to join one if you have End Stage Renal Disease (kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant).

The Federation’s Health Plan Information Center (HPIC) is available to help you decide if changing to or from an Advantage plan might be a good idea for you. If it is, HPIC can help you review the available choices and determine the best fit. HPIC also helps people determine if they qualify for the Extra Help to pay for Part D, and can help you apply. HPIC is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m., and can be reached at 651/783-5045, or toll-free 1-866/783-5045.