Potter Announces Extension Of Medicare Open Enrollment

Lieutenant Governor Osbert Potter on Friday notified the public that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has established a special enrollment period (SEP) to provide an additional one-time opportunity to join, drop or change Medicare health and prescription drug plans for individuals in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands affected by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.

This SEP is extended through March 31, 2018 for eligible individuals who reside, or resided at the start of the incident period, in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“This special enrollment period can be used even if the Medicare beneficiary previously participated in Medicare’s Fall 2017 open enrollment period,” Mr. Potter said. “Beneficiaries who relocated from Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands and have signed up for a Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug plan in another jurisdiction may also participate in the SEP.”

For more information, contact the VI SHIP/Medicare office in St. Thomas at 340-774-7166, in St. Croix at 340-772-7368, or 340-778-6311 extension 3110 or 7396. Beneficiaries may also call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov for more information.