How many times can an individual who is facilitated into a Part D plan by Medicare switch plans?

Medicare beneficiaries who are found eligible for the Low-Income Subsidy, either because they are deemed eligible or applied for the subsidy, but did not choose and enroll in a Part D plan, are facilitated into a plan by Medicare. All individuals whose enrollment is facilitated have a Special Enrollment Period to switch to another plan.

Additionally, facilitated individuals may have other opportunities to switch plans depending on the level of subsidy for which they qualify.

• Individuals enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program (MSP), who were "deemed" eligible for the subsidy, have a continuous Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Similar to the full-duals, MSP enrollees can change plans once a month if they so choose. Their chosen plan should be effective on the first of the following month.
• Other low-income individuals who qualify for the subsidy and are facilitated into a plan by Medicare have a continuous Special Enrollment Period or SEP. Similar to the full-duals and MSP enrollees, these individuals can change plans once a month if they so choose. Their chosen plan should be effective on the first of the following month. 

Source: Section 20.3.2 of the PDP Enrollment Guidance describes the expanded continuous SEP for full dual-eligible beneficiaries as well as those in Medicare Savings Programs:

20.3.2 - SEP for Dual-eligible Individuals or Individuals Who Lose Their Dual-eligibility

There is an SEP for individuals who are entitled to Medicare Part A and/or Part B and receive any type of assistance from the Title XIX (Medicaid) program. This also includes individuals often referred to as "partial duals" who receive cost sharing assistance under Medicaid (e.g. QMB, SLMB, etc). This SEP begins the month the individual becomes dually-eligible and exists as long as s/he receives Medicaid benefits. This SEP allows an individual to enroll in, or disenroll from, a Part D plan. The effective date of the individual's enrollment in their new plan would be the first of the month following receipt of an enrollment request. However, as described in 30.1.4, the effective date for auto-enrollments may be retroactive.

Section 20.3.8 of the PDP Enrollment Guidance describes the expanded continuous SEP for beneficiaries who qualify for extra help but are not deemed.

7. SEP for Non-Dual Eligible Individuals with LIS and Individuals who Lose LIS - Individuals who qualify for LIS (but who do not receive Medicaid benefits) have an SEP that begins the month the individual becomes eligible for LIS and exists as long as s/he is eligible for LIS. This SEP allows an individual to enroll in, or disenroll from, a Part D plan at any time. Because this coverage is effective the first of the month, the SEP would permit beneficiaries to change enrollment on a monthly basis, if they so choose.

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