Enroll in an Essence Healthcare Plan

“Disenrollment” means ending your membership in an Essence Healthcare plan. You may choose to leave our plan, or in certain situations, you may be required to leave. You may decide to leave for any reason, but Medicare limits when and how often you can change your coverage. You may be required to leave if, for example, you permanently move outside our service area or Essence leaves the Medicare program. We will never ask you to leave because of your health.

Your Essence coverage remains active until your disenrollment takes effect. Until then, continue receiving care through your plan as usual. Depending on your plan, you may have to pay the full cost of services received from providers outside the plan’s network. Exceptions may include: Emergency care, Urgently needed care, Out-of-area renal dialysis, or Care approved by Essence. If you are hospitalized on the date your membership ends, contact us to find out whether your hospital stay will continue to be covered.

If you want to leave our health plan: Before making a change, make sure it is allowed under Medicare’s enrollment rules. The steps you take will depend on whether you want to switch to Original Medicare or another Medicare plan.

You can generally change your Medicare coverage during: Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 through December 7 or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: January 1 through March 31, if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. During this time, you may switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare. You may also be able to add or drop Part D prescription drug coverage. You may also qualify to change plans at other times because of certain circumstances, known as a Special Enrollment Period.

Please review your Essence plan’s Evidence of Coverage for complete information about leaving the plan. You may also contact us if you have questions or need help understanding your options.