What must a consumer do to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage if they are currently in a stand-alone PDP?

To enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage while currently enrolled in a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP), the consumer does not need to take separate action to cancel their existing PDP. When they choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage, the act of enrolling in the new plan will automatically disenroll them from the current stand-alone PDP.

This process ensures that beneficiaries do not end up with duplicate coverage for prescription drugs, which could lead to confusion and potential overpayment for premiums. The design of Medicare Advantage plans to include drug coverage inherently incorporates the disenrollment from the stand-alone PDP, streamlining the transition for the consumer and reducing administrative burdens. Thus, once the consumer completes their enrollment in the Medicare Advantage plan, they are automatically removed from their PDP, ensuring they have only one source for drug coverage under Medicare.