AHIP Practice Exam

What should Mr. Castillo know about enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan after stopping Part B payments?

1. He can enroll immediately in Medicare Advantage

2. He must re-enroll in Medicare Part B first

3. He qualifies due to his Part A coverage

4. He is exempt from re-enrollment requirements

The correct answer is: He must re-enroll in Medicare Part B first

When considering Mr. Castillo's situation regarding enrollment in a Medicare Advantage plan after stopping Part B payments, it's essential to understand the relationship between Medicare Part B and Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Advantage plans are alternatives to Original Medicare and require individuals to be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B to be eligible. Therefore, before Mr. Castillo can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, he must first re-enroll in Medicare Part B. This is crucial because without active Part B coverage, he is not eligible for any Medicare Advantage plan, which serves as a substitute for the benefits provided by Original Medicare. It’s important for individuals like Mr. Castillo to be aware that simply having Part A does not automatically grant access to Medicare Advantage plans, as both parts are necessary for eligibility. Understanding this process helps ensure that individuals can effectively navigate their Medicare options and avoid gaps in coverage that might arise from not having both parts of Medicare active simultaneously.