What can Mary do regarding her Medicare Advantage plan after her stroke and subsequent hospitalization?

Mary has the ability to make unlimited Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment requests primarily because specific life events, such as a major health issue like a stroke followed by hospitalization, can trigger a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This allows her to evaluate her current plan and make changes that could better suit her health needs in light of her new condition.

During a Special Enrollment Period, individuals are afforded greater flexibility compared to standard enrollment scenarios, which typically limit changes to designated enrollment periods like the Annual Enrollment Period. This flexibility is essential for beneficiaries who experience significant health changes since it enables them to select a plan that may offer better coverage or services tailored to their new medical circumstances.

As a result, Mary's situation uniquely qualifies her for these additional enrollment options, enabling her to explore different plans that may provide enhanced benefits that align with her recent health challenges.