Taryn Mott, Director of Provider Referral Operations and Training and long-time licensed insurance agent, answers your questions about all things Medicare.

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Dear Taryn,
How do you calculate a Part D penalty?
Chance

Dear Chance,
Medicare calculates the penalty by multiplying 1% of the “national base beneficiary premium” ($32.74 in 2023) times the number of full, uncovered months you didn’t have Part D or creditable coverage. The monthly premium is rounded to the nearest $.10 and added to your monthly Part D premium.
Taryn

Dear Taryn,
MAPD has enrollment periods. Do Medigap plans have enrollment periods too? If so, when are they?
Lauren

Dear Lauren,
Medicare Supplement insurance doesn’t have restrictions on enrollment periods the way other Medicare coverage does. As long as you’re enrolled in Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, you can apply for a Medicare Supplement insurance plan anytime.
Taryn

Dear Taryn,
When can a beneficiary drop their MAPD and enroll into a Medicare Supplement?
Jacob G.

Dear Jacob,
If you don’t drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare within 12 months of joining, generally, you must keep your Medicare Advantage plan for the rest of the year. You can disenroll or change plans during the Annual Enrollment Period or if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Depending on the type of Special Enrollment Period, you may or may not have the right to buy a Medigap policy.
Taryn