The Medicare Advantage open enrollment period is when people can switch Medicare Advantage plans if they already have one or leave their Medicare Advantage plan to return to Original Medicare.
When switching Medicare Advantage plans, a person may switch to a plan with or without drug coverage. If they are returning to Original Medicare, they can also choose to enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan.
The Medicare Advantage open enrollment period is available only from January 1 through March 31 each year or within the first 3 months after a person signs up for Medicare.
The Medicare Advantage open enrollment period runs from January 1 through March 31 every year. It is also sometimes called the general enrollment period (GEP).
During this time, a person can choose to:
- switch to another Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, with or without drug coverage
- leave a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. They can then also join a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
A person can make only one change during this period that will take effect on the first day of the month after the plan receives the request.
If a person currently has Original Medicare, they cannot sign up for a new Medicare Advantage plan during this enrollment period.
Medicare has several enrollment periods that have separate rules and allow for different changes to a person’s coverage.
Initial enrollment period
This is the period during which a person first becomes eligible for Medicare and can sign up for services. It lasts for 7 months, starting 3 months before a person turns age 65 years and ends 3 months after.
People should strongly consider signing up when they are first eligible to avoid penalties.
Medicare open enrollment
This period allows a person to sign up for or switch coverages for both Original Medicare (parts A and B) and Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. It also allows a person to make changes to Part D (drug coverage) as needed. It occurs each year from October 15 through December 7.
Medicare general enrollment
A person can sign up for Medicare parts A and B during general enrollment, which runs from January 1 through March 31. Coverage starts the month after a person signs up for Medicare.
This period is for anyone who missed their initial enrollment period, but late enrollment penalties can sometimes apply.
Medicare Advantage open enrollment
During this period, a person who already has a Medicare Advantage plan can change plans or return to Original Medicare. It occurs every year from January 1 through March 31.
Special enrollment periods
Special enrollment periods allow a person to either initially sign up for a plan or make changes to their plan at varying times during the year.
A special enrollment period can help a person avoid penalties for not signing up during the initial enrollment period.
Special enrollment periods apply only to certain life events, such as a move, changes in available plans, or changes in employment.
Medicare has different enrollment periods that can sometimes cause confusion.
People with Original Medicare can make changes to their plans during the open enrollment period.
However, the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period gives Medicare Advantage plan holders an opportunity to make limited changes to their plans.
Medicare open enrollment
Medicare open enrollment, also known as the annual enrollment period, occurs each year from October 15 through December 7. During this period, a person can:
- join, leave, or switch to another Medicare Advantage plan
- add or drop drug coverage
- switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
- switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare
- join, leave, or switch to another Medicare Part D drug plan if a person has Original Medicare
Changes a person makes during the open enrollment period take effect on January 1 of the following year.
Medicare Advantage open enrollment
Medicare Advantage open enrollment is available only to people who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. They can switch plans or drop coverage to return to Original Medicare and a corresponding Part D drug plan.
A person with Original Medicare cannot switch to a Medicare Advantage plan during Medicare Advantage open enrollment.
Medicare offers several ways to enroll:
- Anyone who is receiving Social Security benefits from age 62 to 4 months before they turn 65 will automatically enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B when they turn 65.
- People applying for Social Security benefits 3 months before turning age 65 can sign up for Medicare at the same time since it falls within their initial enrollment period.
- People who are still working at age 65 can apply directly online if they need to, but some may be able to wait until after they retire to apply. There are rules regarding when to apply due to working past age 65, but Medicare offers a resource to help people determine whether they need to sign up or can delay enrollment.
A person can apply for Medicare directly using the Social Security website.
In general, people should not ignore open enrollment periods each year. Medicare open enrollment allows people to switch plans, and this may be beneficial to them in several ways. Changing plans may help people continue seeing their doctors and get prescription coverage for their medications.
Preparing for open enrollment can involve:
- reviewing the annual notice of change (for Medicare Advantage plans only), which provides details on changes to costs, coverage, and other aspects that will take effect the following year
- comparing medication costs, copays, and premiums for different plans
- checking out any new potential plan benefits
- reviewing new plans that are available in a person’s local area
- checking the doctors and medications that are available on different plans
- calling a current plan provider to discuss future coverage and costs
A person may be able to make changes to their Medicare Advantage plan twice per year.
The first opportunity occurs during Medicare Advantage open enrollment, which is for existing plan holders and runs from January 1 through March 31 each year.
Anyone with Original Medicare can switch to Medicare Advantage or change their plan during Medicare open enrollment. This occurs from October 15 through December 7 each year.
In certain circumstances, such as when a plan provider no longer offers a plan or if a person moves to a new coverage area, they may be able to switch Medicare Advantage plans at any time. These periods are known as special enrollment periods.
Medicare supplement plans, also known as Medigap, help cover some of the out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare.
Medigap open enrollment occurs only once and does not repeat. Once a person has signed up for Medicare Part B and is age 65 years or older, they have 6 months to sign up for a Medigap plan.
During Medigap open enrollment, insurance companies cannot deny coverage due to a person’s medical history. Medigap coverage also generally offers more choices and lower prices on plans.
After Medigap open enrollment passes, people may have higher premiums, fewer plan options, and may not be able to get coverage due to preexisting conditions.
After Medigap open enrollment, sign-up options can vary from state to state. A person should check with their State Insurance Department to see what rights they have in their area.
Guaranteed issue rights
Some people may qualify for guaranteed issue rights, which means insurance companies cannot deny them Medigap coverage.
For example, a person may qualify for guaranteed issue rights if their employer coverage ends or if their plan ends, either because they move out of a certain area or because the plan is no longer a part of Medicare.
During the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period, which runs from January 1 through March 31 every year, people with Medicare Advantage plans can make changes to their plans, leave, or switch back to Original Medicare.
Switching Medicare Advantage plans may allow a person to get more favorable prices, keep seeing the same doctors, or obtain further benefits.