Time in which an individual is given a special election period to change Medicare+Choice plans or return to Original Medicare in certain situations. Situations in which this occurs include (1) when a person makes a permanent move outside the service area, (2) when the Medicare+Choice organization breaks its contract with the insured or does not renew its contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), or (3) when other exceptional conditions determined by CMS apply. The special election period is different from the special enrollment period (SEP). See election period .