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When Can You Change Medicare Plans?

As you age, your healthcare needs may change. To make sure your Medicare coverage adapts to those changes, there are a few key times when you can adjust your coverage:

  • Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): AEP occurs between October 15 and December 7, and allows you to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or change to a different plan if you already have Medicare Advantage. You can also switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare or change your Part D plan. 
  • Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MAOEP): The MAOEP is between January 1 and March 31 each year. During this period, you can switch between Medicare Advantage plans, return to Original Medicare, or join a Part D plan. 
  • Special Enrollment Period (SEP): You could be eligible for a special enrollment period if you experience a qualifying life event. After experiencing a QLE, you have two months to switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan or drop your existing one and return to Original Medicare. 

Understanding Medicare Enrollment Periods

The following enrollment periods are the only times during the year where you’re able to enroll in or make changes to a Medicare plan.

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. During this period, you can:

  • Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
  • Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare
  • Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another 
  • Enroll in a Medicare Part D plan 
  • Switch to another Part D plan

Any changes you make during AEP will take effect on January 1st of the following year. Remember, these changes could affect your coverage and out-of-pocket costs, so be sure to check with your plan provider before making a decision. 

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Periods (MAOEP)

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MAOEP) is between January 1 and March 31 every year and is only relevant if you’re a current Medicare Advantage plan member. The MAOEP is your only chance outside of AEP to switch Medicare Advantage plans and make coverage changes. During this time, you can do the following:

  • Switch Medicare Advantage plans
  • Drop your current Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare 
  • Enroll in a standalone Medicare prescription drug plan if you decide to return to Original Medicare

Special Enrollment Periods

You’re only eligible for a Special Enrollment Period if you’ve experienced certain life events, like losing health coverage, moving to a new address, getting Medicaid, and having a baby. Special Enrollment Periods vary depending on your situation, but during this time, you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan, with or without drug coverage, or switch to another plan. 

Starting January 1, 2024, if you sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B during a Special Enrollment Period, you’ll have two months to join a Medicare Advantage plan or switch to another plan. Coverage typically starts the first day of the month after the plan receives your request to join.

How To Change Plans During Enrollment Periods

  1. Identify your enrollment period. Depending on your situation, you may be able to change plans during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), Special Enrollment Period (SEP), or Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MAOEP).
  2. Shop around. Before making the switch, take the time to shop around for the most suitable plan for your healthcare needs
  3. Complete the enrollment process. 
    • To change plans during AEP, contact the Medicare Advantage plan provider directly or simply enroll online through their website. Once that’s complete, you’ll automatically be disenrolled from your current plan on December 31, and your new coverage will begin on the first day of the following year. 
    • To change plans during MAOEP, contact the insurance provider directly or enroll online through their website. Then, contact your current Medicare Advantage plan for steps on how to disenroll. Your new plan coverage will begin on the first day of the following month.  
    • To change plans during SEP, contact the insurance provider directly or enroll online through their website. Then, contact your current Medicare Advantage plan for steps on how to disenroll. When coverage begins will depend on your situation, but it’s generally the first day of the month after the plan receives your request to join. 
    • To switch back to Original Medicare, contact Medicare directly at 1-800-633-4227 or visit medicare.gov
  4. Reevaluate your plan each year. Your healthcare needs could change year by year. So be sure to evaluate your Medicare plan annually to ensure it aligns with your evolving healthcare needs.

How Often Can You Change Medicare Plans?

If you’re enrolled in Medicare, you can make adjustments to your plan annually during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 to December 7. There’s also the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31, where you can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another or switch back to Original Medicare. 

Outside these designated periods, you typically can’t change your Medicare plan unless you’re eligible for a Special Enrollment Period due to certain life events.

Can I Switch Back To My Original Plan?

Yes. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan but want to drop it and switch back to Original Medicare or your previous Medicare Advantage plan, contact your current plan to cancel your enrollment so you can make the switch. Note that you can only do so during the Annual Enrollment Period or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. 

Also, Medicare Advantage plans typically give new enrollees 12 months to decide whether they’d like to commit long-term. So, if you decide within that one-year period not to stay with a Medicare Advantage plan, you could return to Original Medicare and purchase a Medigap plan type to cover your out-of-pocket costs without undergoing medical underwriting. 

Does It Cost Money To Change Medicare Plans?

No, it typically costs nothing to change Medicare plans. However, you may face indirect costs like higher premiums and additional out-of-pocket costs like coinsurance or copayment. Before switching Medicare plans, speak with a knowledgeable Medicare advisor to ensure you’re making the best decision for your health and your wallet.

Will There Be a Coverage Gap If I Change Plans?

It’s possible. For example, if you switch between Medicare Advantage plans, your coverage may change since your new plan may not cover certain medications, providers, or services that were previously covered. Also, if you switch back to Orignal Medicare from a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll typically lose your drug coverage, which means you’ll need to enroll in a standalone Part D plan. If you wait more than 63 days to enroll in Part D, you may face late enrollment penalties for as long as you have coverage. 

To avoid any gaps in coverage, stay informed about the above-mentioned enrollment periods and perform your due diligence on potential new plans. For added peace of mind, consider working with a Medicare counselor or representative to help you navigate the transition process and ensure a seamless switch. 

All in All

Understanding each enrollment period and its rules helps ensure that your Medicare coverage aligns with your changing healthcare needs. So, if you haven’t already, mark these dates on your calendar to avoid missing your enrollment window and potentially facing penalties or gaps in coverage. 

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re enrolled in Original Medicare and miss the Annual Enrollment Period, unless you’re eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, you may have to wait until the next AEP to switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage. If you’re currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and miss the AEP, you could still make plan adjustments during the MAOEP. 

Changing your Medicare plan could potentially affect your relationship with your current primary care physician or specialist, especially if you switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Advantage plans contract with a network of doctors and hospitals. If your current healthcare provider falls outside the network of the new plan, you may have to pay more out-of-pocket to see them. 

Every Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plan has its own list of covered drugs, also known as a formulary, and these formularies can vary from plan to plan. So, if you switch to a new plan, there’s a chance some of your current medications may not be on your new plan’s formulary. 

You’re just a few steps away from seeing your Medicare Advantage plan options.

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You’re just a few steps away from seeing your Medicare Advantage plan options.

Find a plan