Medicare Advantage plans are also called Medicare Part C. Medicare Advantage/Part C offers Colorado residents a way to receive both Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and/or Medicare Part B (medical/doctor’s office insurance). These plans are sold by private insurance companies throughout Colorado, are approved by Medicare and offer at least the same coverage as Medicare Parts A and B, often with additional benefits.

Medicare Advantage Plan Eligibility in Colorado

Knowing if you’re eligible for a Part C/MA plan is the same as being eligible for Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. If you’re eligible for Parts A and B, you’re also good for Part C, assuming you reside in a county/zip code where MA plans are sold. Copayments, coinsurance and deductibles vary depending on which Medicare Advantage plan you enroll in.

When is the Colorado Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollment Period?

Enrollment in a Medicare Advantage plan occurs during specified enrollment periods. Medicare enrollment in Colorado opens for residents prior to turning age 65 or earlier in special disability cases. The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) runs for seven months.
IEP begins three months before turning age 65, including the birthday month, and ends 3 months after the birthday month. It is also the time allotted for enrollment in Medicare Parts A, B, C and D.For example, if you’re a Coloradan with a May birthday, your IEP runs from February through August.
You may also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, which occurs annually each fall. Medicare’s AEP runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. The key dates for AEP are as follows:

Oct. 15 – Annual Enrollment Period Begins

Dec. 7 – Annual Enrollment Period Ends

Jan. 1 – First Date Coverage can start

During the Annual Enrollment every year, Colorado residents can:

• Switch from Medicare Parts A and B (Original Medicare) to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan

• Change from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another

• Switch from one Prescription Drug (Part D) plan to another

• Add a Prescription Drug (Part D) plan if you didn’t enroll when first eligible for Medicare

In addition to the AEP, Colorado residents who are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can make a one-time plan change during the Open Enrollment (OEP), which occurs each year from January 1 through March 31. There are also Medicare Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) which are times where you may be able to enroll in Medicare or make changes to your existing Medicare Advantage coverage because of certain events and life changes, such as moving or losing employer coverage.