Which consumer must wait until the Annual Election Period (AEP) to change their enrollment?

The individual who must wait until the Annual Election Period (AEP) to change their enrollment is the one who is already enrolled in a Chronic Special Needs Plan (CSNP) and wishes to switch to another CSNP. This is due to the specific enrollment guidelines surrounding special needs plans, which generally require beneficiaries to make changes only during designated enrollment periods, such as the AEP.

During the AEP, beneficiaries have the opportunity to review their health plans and make changes, including switching from one CSNP to another. This period is specifically designed for consumers to update their coverage in response to changing health needs or preferences.

In contrast, the other scenarios presented do not typically require the individual to wait for the AEP. For example, switching primary care physicians, adding dental coverage, or seeking a new outpatient provider can generally be done outside of the AEP and may be addressed during other enrollment periods or as standard plan options.