How and When Can I Change Medicare Plans?

Many people are happy with their Medicare plan. But each year, some people decide a change makes sense for them. Your medical needs could change. You might find a plan that costs less. You could move and need a plan with a different network. Whatever your reason, it’s a good idea to review your plan every year, and knowing when you’re allowed to change it helps you make sure your coverage still fits.

Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the main Medicare shopping season. The only thing you can’t do is sign up for Original Medicare for the first time, unless your Initial Enrollment Period happens to fall during AEP. Specifically, you can:

• Join a Medicare Advantage plan if you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
• Return to Original Medicare from a Medicare Advantage plan.
• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
• Join a Medicare Part D drug plan.
• Switch from one Part D plan to another.
• Drop your Part D coverage completely.

This is a good time to explore your options. Have Original Medicare but want more coverage? You may be able to add a Part D plan or a Medicare Supplement. Curious about private coverage? Look into a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: January 1 – March 31

If you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, this window gives you one chance to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or to drop your plan and go back to Original Medicare and join a Part D plan. If you return to Original Medicare, you may also be able to buy a Medicare Supplement, though you may have to answer health questions.

Special Enrollment Periods

Unlike AEP and the Open Enrollment Period, a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) depends on the circumstances that created it. For example, if you’re still working at 65 and have coverage through your job, you get an SEP when you retire and lose that coverage. Another common reason is moving to an address outside your current plan’s service area.

Each SEP allows different things, and how long it lasts depends on the reason. Moving, for example, lets you switch to Original Medicare or a new Medicare Advantage plan available where you now live. If Medicare ends its contract with your Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to another plan.

Changing Your Plan

Some plans automatically disenroll you from your old plan when you join a new one, while other plan types have their own disenrollment steps and timeframes. A licensed insurance agent or your plan can explain what applies to you.

Read more: Medicare.gov, Joining a plan

Want help with your situation? Request a plan review or call a licensed insurance agent at (832) 734-6825 (TTY 711). There’s no cost for my help and no obligation.