In August, CMS announced that Medicare Advantage provider directory information would be included in the online Medicare Plan Finder (MPF). Though CMS expects that information to be accurate, they announced on September 12 that they are making a new, temporary Special Election Period (SEP) available for beneficiaries who make choices based on incorrect provider directory information in the MPF. According to CMS, to access the SEP, beneficiaries:
- Must have previously made a 2026 election through MPF using any available election period, including the Annual Election Period (AEP), and
- The plan must begin between 1/1/26 and 12/1/26; and
- Must have discovered their preferred provider is not in the MA plan network within three (3) months of the effective date of the MA plan election; and
- Must have relied on incorrect MPF provider directory to confirm preferred provider network participation.
If all the above are true, the beneficiary can call 1-800-Medicare to access the SEP and process the enrollment change. They can then enroll prospectively (effective the following month) in either a new Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without prescription drug coverage); or they can return to Original Medicare with a new Part D Prescription Drug plan (PDP); or they can return to Original Medicare without a Part D plan.
September 18, 2025 – M. Shepard