How to change your Medicare Advantage plan

All Medicare members have 2 enrollment periods each year to make changes to their existing Medicare plan:¹

Medicare Open Enrollment Period—Oct. 15–Dec. 7

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period, also known as Annual Election Period (AEP), takes place each year from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

During this time, you can:

• Switch from 1 MA plan to another MA plan
• Change from an MA plan back to Original Medicare
• Switch from Original Medicare to an MA plan

Note: All changes made during the Open Enrollment Period start Jan. 1 the following year.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period—Jan. 1–March 31

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)  is another chance to enroll in a new MA plan or go back to Original Medicare. However, you can only make 1 change within this period.

During this time, you can:

• Switch from an MA plan without drug coverage to an MA plan with drug coverage
• Switch from an MA plan with drug coverage to an MA plan without drug coverage
• Switch from an MA plan back to Original Medicare, with the option to join a stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D)

Note: All changes made during MA OEP start the first day of the following month after the request is received.

No. If you want to switch your MA plan outside of the usual Medicare enrollment periods, you must qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) .

Special Enrollment Period

A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is your chance to make changes to your MA plan when certain events happen in your life.

Qualifying life events can include:

• Losing your existing coverage
• Moving
• Your Medicare plan changing
• Ability to get other healthcare coverage
• Your eligibility changing

The length of your SEP can vary based on your qualifying life event. Generally, your SEP will last 2–3 months, depending on when the qualifying event happens.

Note: If you enrolled in a MA plan during your Initial Coverage Election Period (IEP) , when you first became eligible for Medicare, you can change to another MA plan or go back to Original Medicare within the first 3 months after you enrolled.

Choose the best Medicare Advantage plan for you

Everyone has different health needs. If you’re thinking about switching your MA plan, take some time to research and compare Medicare Advantage plans  to find the best 1 for your needs.