Some Medicare Advantage plans may leave the Medicare program by Dec. 31. If they do:

You should receive a letter from the plan by Oct. 2 telling you your options.

You'll get a Special Enrollment Period:

You can join a new Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan from Dec. 8, 2012 to Feb. 28, 2013.

• Your new plan starts the first day of the month after you switch.

You may join a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan within 63 days after your Medicare Advantage plan ends.

• You don't have to take a health screen.

Note:  If you're under age 65 on Medicare due to disability, you may only be limited to Medigaps for disabled people.

Updated 01/18/2013