If you missed the May 15th, 2006 deadline for enrollment in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan your next opportunity to sign up for a prescription drug plan is the annual enrollment period. There are exceptions to this rule and you might still be able to enroll now if you meet certain criteria. Here is what you need to know about enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan.

If you missed the May 15th 2006 deadline, most people will tell you that you’re out of luck until the next enrollment period. The annual enrolment period for Medicare Part D where you can sign up for a prescription drug plan or change your existing plan is November 15th through December 31st of each year. If you are currently in a prescription drug plan and are unhappy with your provider, the first opportunity you have to change plans will be November 15th.

If you missed the enrollment deadline because you were given bad information about enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan you may be able to sign up now under "Special Enrollment." Here is an example: many people called Social Security to sign up for the “Extra Help with Prescription Drug Plan Costs,” only to be told they did not qualify because of their income. Many people took this to mean that they did not qualify for Medicare Part D because it was not clear that these are two separate programs. If you are in a similar situation where you were given misinformation by a Social Security or Medicare employee, your pharmacy, or one of the Medicare Part D providers, contact Medicare at their toll-free number and request Special Enrollment for Medicare Part D.