Emilie Meyer
There are specific times when you can switch Medicare Advantage Plans or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. You can only join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan at certain times, known as enrollment periods. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. During this time, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or disenroll and return to Original Medicare. If you move outside your plan's service area, you will have a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan or return to Original Medicare. If you joined a Medicare Advantage Plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can change to another Medicare Advantage Plan or go back to Original Medicare within the first 3 months of having Medicare Part A and Part B.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period | January 1–March 31 each year |
| Annual Election Period | October 15–December 7 |
| Special Enrollment Period | Available under certain circumstances, such as moving out of your plan's service area |
| Initial Coverage Election Period | Within the first 3 months of enrolling in Medicare |
| Five-star plans | Can join any time of the year except the first week in December, but only once a year |
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What You'll Learn
During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to another MA plan or change from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare and join a Part D plan during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP). The MA OEP occurs annually from January 1 through March 31. This period is meant for those who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to make a change.
During the MA OEP, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage). Alternatively, you can disenroll and return to Original Medicare. If you choose to return to Original Medicare, you can either submit a disenrollment request to your MA plan and then enrol in a stand-alone Part D plan, or simply enrol in a stand-alone Part D plan, which will trigger your automatic disenrollment from your MA plan.
It is important to note that changes made during the MA OEP take effect the first of the month following the month you enrol. For example, if you switch to a new Medicare Advantage Plan in February, your new coverage begins on March 1. You can only make a single change during the MA OEP. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan and a separate Part D plan, you can switch to a Medicare Advantage Plan that does not include drug coverage or Original Medicare, but you cannot change Part D plans.
In addition to the MA OEP, there are other opportunities to make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan. One such instance is during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), which occurs when certain life events take place, such as moving out of your plan's service area. During an SEP, you can switch to another MA plan or return to Original Medicare. The length of your SEP can vary, typically lasting 2-3 months.
Another opportunity to make changes is during your Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP), which is when you first become eligible for Medicare. During this time, you can change to another MA plan or go back to Original Medicare within the first 3 months after you enrolled.
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If you move to a new address outside your plan's service area
Your chance to switch begins when you move and continues for two full months after you move. If you inform your plan before you move, your ability to switch starts one month before the month you move and continues for two full months after you move.
It is important to note that you must be a US citizen or lawfully present in the US to join a Medicare Advantage Plan. Additionally, you will need your Medicare Number and your Part A and/or Part B coverage start dates, which can be found on your Medicare card.
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan and move outside of your plan's service area, you will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare when you are dropped from your previous plan. This means that you will have the option to switch to a new Medicare Advantage Plan or to Original Medicare during this Special Enrollment Period.
To make changes to your Medicare plan, you can contact the plan directly by calling them, visiting their website, or requesting a paper form to fill out and mail back. It is important to ensure that they receive your request before the enrollment period ends to avoid any gaps in coverage.
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If you're released from jail
If you are released from jail, you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage Plan. If you kept paying for your Part A and/or Part B coverage while incarcerated, you have 2 full calendar months after your release from jail to join a plan. You must sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B before you can join a plan.
You can join a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare drug plan. You can also switch from your current plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage or a Medicare drug plan. Alternatively, you can drop your Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage and return to Original Medicare by joining a stand-alone Medicare drug plan.
There are specific times each year to change Medicare Advantage Plans or switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) occurs each year from January 1 through March 31. During this period, you can switch from your Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan or Original Medicare with or without a stand-alone prescription drug plan (Part D). Changes made during this period take effect on the first day of the month following the month you enroll.
Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) also allow you to change your health and/or drug coverage outside normal enrollment periods. For example, if you move outside your plan's service area, you will receive an SEP to switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan or Original Medicare.
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During your Initial Coverage Election Period (IEP)
If you are new to Medicare, you can join an MA plan during your Initial Coverage Election Period (IEP). This period begins 3 months before you first become eligible for both Medicare Part A and Part B and ends on the later date of the last day of your Part B Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) or the last day of the month before your eligibility for both Part A and Part B. During this time, you can change to another MA plan or go back to Original Medicare within the first 3 months after you enrolled.
If you joined a Medicare Advantage Plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can change to another Medicare Advantage Plan or go back to Original Medicare within the first 3 months of having Medicare Part A and Part B.
You can also switch to a new Medicare Advantage Plan or Original Medicare if you move to a new address that is outside your old plan's service area. Your chance to switch begins when you move and continues for 2 full months after you move. If you inform your plan before moving, you can start your switch plan from the month before you move.
If you are incarcerated, you can keep paying for your Part A and/or Part B coverage while in jail. If you do so, you will have 2 full calendar months after your release to join a plan.
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If you joined during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can switch within the first 3 months
If you joined during your Initial Enrollment Period, you have the option to switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan or return to Original Medicare within the first three months of having Medicare Part A and Part B. This is known as the Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP). It is important to note that this period is only available to those who are new to Medicare.
During this time, you can make changes to your health and/or drug coverage. For example, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage or return to Original Medicare with or without a drug plan.
It is worth mentioning that there are certain circumstances that may trigger a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), allowing you to make changes outside of the normal enrollment periods. For instance, if you move to a new address that is outside of your current plan's service area, you will be granted an SEP to switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan or return to Original Medicare.
Additionally, if you qualify for multiple Special Enrollment Periods, it is important to note that you cannot use more than one at the same time. Each SEP is tailored to your specific situation and allows you to make the necessary changes to your coverage.
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Frequently asked questions
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. During this period, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or disenroll and return to Original Medicare.
A Special Enrollment Period is a chance to make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan when certain life events happen, such as moving out of your plan's service area. The length of your SEP can vary, typically lasting 2-3 months.
No, you can only switch Medicare Advantage plans during specific times of the year, such as during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period.
