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Last year, my Part D prescription drug coverage was delayed because of a problem with my enrollment application. How can I avoid this problem this year?

Category: Medicare Part D Enrollment
Updated: Jul, 09 2023


Many people still prefer to telephone their chosen Medicare plan and ask for printed plan information that usually includes a printed enrollment application. If you choose to request printed plan materials, be sure to make your request early in October, so that you have adequate time to review the printed Medicare plan information and then mail in the completed application before the December 7th annual Open Enrollment Period (AEP) deadline.

Although the Medicare Part D application is only few pages long, some people find that applying for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage is not easy and there are some common mistakes that can keep you from receiving your Part D coverage.

To learn more, here are a few error-avoiding tips when completing a printed Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan enrollment form: "Seven tips for successfully submitting your Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan enrollment form"

Looking for a quicker Medicare plan enrollment option?

Everyone has a different enrollment preference and no matter how you enroll in a Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan, your cost and coverage are the same. Here are a few popular Medicare plan enrollment alternatives:
  • Enroll through a local insurance agent who represents your desired Medicare Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan.
    Your local insurance agent is specifically trained to represent certain Medicare plans and should be able to provide answers to many of your coverage questions, provide you with printed plan materials, and help you complete the enrollment application. Your local insurance agent should also be available throughout the plan year to help answer questions and explain any annual plan changes.

  • Enroll Online.
    You can enroll online through the Medicare.gov Plan Finder website (https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare) or directly on the Medicare plan's website (such as https://www.aetnamedicare.com). When you enroll online, you should be provided a confirmation code at the end of the enrollment process - record this confirmation code as proof of the successful enrollment.

  • Call a Medicare representative or call a Medicare plan's Member Services department.
    If you have chosen your Medicare plan, you can simply telephone the company's enrollment telephone number or their Member Services department who can transfer you to enrollment where you can enroll directly over the telephone.  If you are not sure which Medicare plan to choose, then you might want to call a Medicare representative at 1-800-MEDICARE for an unbiased overview of all your Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plan options.
Still need an overview of how to choose a Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan?

There are a number of different ways to choose a Medicare plan (such as pure economics, plan reputation, and/or selection of healthcare providers) -- you can read more about choosing a Medicare plan in our enrollment assistant section.





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  • The Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plan data on our site comes directly from Medicare and is subject to change.
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  • We provide our Q1Medicare.com site for educational purposes and strive to present unbiased and accurate information. However, Q1Medicare is not intended as a substitute for your lawyer, doctor, healthcare provider, financial advisor, or pharmacist. For more information on your Medicare coverage, please be sure to seek legal, medical, pharmaceutical, or financial advice from a licensed professional or telephone Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.
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  • The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact the plan.
  • Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply.
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    Statement required by Medicare:
    "We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options."
  • When enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.
  • Medicare beneficiaries with higher incomes may be required to pay both a Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). Read more on IRMAA.
  • Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage (MAPDs) are considered Medicare Part D plans and members with higher incomes may be subject to the Medicare Part D Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), just as members in stand-alone Part D plans. In certain situations, you can appeal IRMAA.
  • You must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. Members may enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan only during specific times of the year. Contact the Medicare plan for more information.
  • If you are enrolled in a Medicare plan with Part D prescription drug coverage, you may be eligible for financial Extra Help to assist with the payment of your prescription drug premiums and drug purchases. To see if you qualify for Extra Help, call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov; the Social Security Office at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users should call, 1-800-325-0778; or your state Medicaid Office.
  • Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-Star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next.
  • A Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service plan (PFFS) is not a Medicare supplement plan. Providers who do not contract with the plan are not required to see you except in an emergency.
  • Disclaimer for Institutional Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone with Medicare who meets the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) level of care and resides in a nursing home.
  • Disclaimer for Dual Eligible (Medicare/Medicaid) Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. Premiums, co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details.
  • Disclaimer for Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone with Medicare who has been diagnosed with the plan specific Chronic Condition.
  • Medicare MSA Plans combine a high deductible Medicare Advantage Plan and a trust or custodial savings account (as defined and/or approved by the IRS). The plan deposits money from Medicare into the account. You can use this money to pay for your health care costs, but only Medicare-covered expenses count toward your deductible. The amount deposited is usually less than your deductible amount, so you generally have to pay out-of-pocket before your coverage begins.
  • Medicare MSA Plans do not cover prescription drugs. If you join a Medicare MSA Plan, you can also join any separate (stand-alone) Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
  • There are additional restrictions to join an MSA plan, and enrollment is generally for a full calendar year unless you meet certain exceptions. Those who disenroll during the calendar year will owe a portion of the account deposit back to the plan. Contact the plan provider for additional information.
  • Medicare beneficiaries may enroll through the CMS Medicare Online Enrollment Center located at www.medicare.gov.
  • Medicare beneficiaries can file a complaint with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by calling 1-800-MEDICARE 24 hours a day/7 days or using the medicare.gov site. Beneficiaries can appoint a representative by submitting CMS Form-1696.