Medicare Advantage Enrollment Information

Once you enroll, you may leave the plan or make changes to it at certain times of the year when an enrollment period is available or under certain special circumstances.

Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP)

The ICEP is the period during which an individual newly eligible for Medicare Advantage may make an initial enrollment request to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. This period begins three months immediately before the individual's first entitlement to both Medicare Part A and Part B and ends on the later of: 1) The last of the month preceding entitlement to both Part A and Part B; or 2) The last day of the individual's Part B initial enrollment period. (The initial enrollment period for Part B is the seven month period that begins three months before the month an individual meets the eligibility requirements for Part B, and ends three months after the month of eligibility.)

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) for Part D

Individuals will have an IEP for Part D that is the same period as the initial enrollment period for Medicare Part B. The initial enrollment period for Part B is the seven month period that begins three months before the month an individual meets the eligibility requirements for Part B and ends three months after the month of eligibility.

Annual Election Period (AEP) October 15 - December 7

During the AEP, Medicare Advantage eligible individuals may enroll or disenroll from a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug plan. If you wish to enroll in a new Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug plan, like those offered by The Health Plan and THP Insurance Company, you can do so by changing your plan during the Annual Election Period (AEP). This annual election period runs from October 15 to December 7 of each year. Changes will take effect on January 1.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) January 1 - March 31

During the MA OEP, Medicare Advantage plan enrollees may enroll in another Medicare Advantage plan or disenroll from their Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. Individuals may make only one election during the MA OEP. Individuals may add or drop Part D coverage during the MA OEP. Individuals enrolled in either MA-PD or MA-only plan can switch to: MA-PD, MA-only, or Original Medicare (with or without a stand-alone Part D plan). The effect date for an MA OEP election is the first of the monthly following receipt of the enrollment request.

NOTE: The MA OEP does not provide an opportunity for an individual enrolled in Original Medicare to join a MA plan. It also does not allow for Part D changes for individuals enrolled in Original Medicare, including those enrolled in stand-alone Part D plans. The MA OEP is not available for those enrolled in Medicare Savings Accounts or other Medicare health plan types (such as cost plans or PACE).

Special Election Period (SEP)

SEP constitute periods outside of the usual IEP, ICEP, AEP, or MADP when an individual may elect a plan or change their current plan election. There are various types of SEP, including (but not limited to) SEP for: beneficiaries who receive assistance under Title XIX (Medicaid), those who receive extra help with Part D drug costs (LIS), those whose current plan terminates, who change residence, who would like to join a 5-Star rated plan and those who meet "exceptional conditions."

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Contact Us

By Phone:

Current Members

Call us at 1.877.847.7907

Prospective Members

Call us at 1.877.847.7915

Hearing Impaired Services

Please call (TTY: 711)

By Mail:

The Health Plan
1110 Main Street
Wheeling, WV 26003-2704

Hours of Operation

October 1 through March 31:
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.,
7 days a week

April 1 through September 30:
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday