Medicare Advantage open enrollment is a period in which a person can switch Medicare Advantage plans if they already have one. This period occurs from January 1 through March 31 or in the first 3 months after a person signs up for Medicare.
The Medicare Advantage open enrollment period is a time frame during which a person can change their Medicare Advantage plan. They can switch to a plan with or without drug coverage or drop a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare.
A 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.
To be eligible for this enrollment period, a person must already have a Medicare Advantage plan. A Medicare Advantage open enrollment period does not allow a person to join a Medicare Advantage plan if they currently have Original Medicare.
To sign up for a new Medicare Advantage plan, a person needs to switch during Medicare open enrollment. In some cases, a person may be able to switch Medicare Advantage plans at other times during the year, but not everyone qualifies to do so.
The Medicare Advantage open enrollment period runs from January 1 through March 31 every year.
During this time, a person can:
- switch to another Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plan, with or without drug coverage
- drop a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare with the ability to join a separate Medicare drug plan
A person does not have the option to sign up for a new Medicare Advantage plan during this enrollment period if they currently have Original Medicare. Also, a person can make only one change during this period. Changes will take effect on the first day of the month after the plan receives the request.
Medicare has two enrollment periods, which can cause confusion for some people.
People who are eligible for Original Medicare, which includes Part A and Part B, can make changes to their plan during the annual open enrollment period.
The Medicare Advantage open enrollment period gives Medicare Advantage plan holders an opportunity to make limited changes.
Medicare open enrollment
Medicare annual enrollment, also known as the open enrollment period, occurs each year from October 15 through December 7. During this period, a person can take the following actions:
- join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or add or drop drug coverage
- switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
- switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare
- join, drop, or switch to another Medicare 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 drug plan (Part D).
A person with Original Medicare cannot switch to a Medicare Advantage plan during Medicare Advantage open enrollment.
If a person missed their opportunity the previous year or during their initial enrollment period, they will need to wait until the Medicare annual enrollment period to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare has several enrollment periods, which 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 needs to sign up for services. It lasts for 7 months, starting 3 months before a person turns 65 years old and ending 3 months after the month they turn 65.
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 and does not qualify for a special enrollment period.
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
These periods allow a person to either initially sign up for a plan or make changes to their plan at varying times during the year. In the case of initial signup, a special enrollment period can help a person avoid penalties for failing to sign up during the initial enrollment period.
A person can use a special enrollment period only for certain life events, such as a move, changes in available plans, or changes in employment.
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 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. The rules regarding when to apply due to working past age 65 are complicated. Medicare offers a resource to help people determine whether they need to sign up or can wait.
A person can apply for Medicare directly using the Social Security website.
In general, a person should not ignore open enrollment periods each year. Medicare open enrollment allows a person to switch plans, and this may be beneficial to them in several ways. Changing plans may help a person continue seeing their doctors, get prescription coverage for their medications, and possibly save money.
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 potential perks of plans
- reviewing new plans that are available in a person’s local area
- checking the doctors and medications that are available on different plans
- calling the provider of a person’s existing plan to review any questions about 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. This period is for existing Medicare Advantage plan holders, and it occurs from January 1 through March 31 each year.
Anyone with Original Medicare can switch to Medicare Advantage or change their plan during Medicare annual enrollment. This occurs from October 15 through December 7 each year.
In certain circumstances, such as if a provider no longer offers a plan or if a person moves to a new coverage area, a person can switch Medicare Advantage plans at any time. These periods are known as special enrollment periods.
Medicare supplement plans, also known as Medigap, help cover costs after Medicare pays a provider its agreed amount.
Medigap open enrollment occurs only once and does not repeat. Once a person has signed up for Medicare Part B and is 65 years old or older, they have 6 months to sign up for Medigap insurance.
During Medigap open enrollment, insurance companies cannot deny a policy or provide underwriting for a preexisting condition. Medigap coverage also generally offers more choices and lower prices on plans.
After open enrollment for Medigap passes, a person may have to pay higher prices, may have fewer options to choose from, and may not be able to get coverage for preexisting conditions.
The ability to sign up for Medigap after open enrollment can vary from state to state. A person should check with their State Insurance Department to see what rights they have in their current state.
Some circumstances may also affect a person’s ability to purchase Medigap after open enrollment.
Some people may qualify for guaranteed issue rights, which means insurance companies cannot deny them 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.
The Medicare Advantage open enrollment period is a time period during which a person with a Medicare Advantage plan can make changes to their plan. This period runs from January 1 through March 31 every year, or within the 3 months after a person signs up for a Medicare Advantage plan.
During an open enrollment period, a person can switch Medicare Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare.
Switching Medicare Advantage providers can allow a person to find more favorable prices, keep seeing the same doctors, or obtain other possible benefits.