When can I change my Medicare plan?

It's one of the questions we hear most, and the answer depends on what kind of coverage you have. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans follow a calendar. Medicare Supplements follow different rules entirely.

Medicare Advantage and Part D: Annual Enrollment

Every year from October 15 through December 7, anyone with Medicare can:

• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
• Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or back
• Join, drop or change a Part D prescription drug plan

Changes you make during Annual Enrollment take effect on January 1. Plans change their premiums, drug lists and networks every year, so this is the time to review your coverage, even if you're happy with it. Your plan sends an Annual Notice of Change each fall that lists what's different for next year.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31

If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one more chance early in the year. Between January 1 and March 31 you can make one change:

• Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or
• Drop Medicare Advantage and go back to Original Medicare, adding a Part D plan

This window is only for people already in Medicare Advantage. It can't be used to switch from one Part D plan to another if you have Original Medicare.

Special Enrollment Periods

Certain life events let you change plans outside the usual dates. Common ones include:

• Moving out of your plan's service area, or moving to a new county with different plan options
• Losing employer or union coverage
• Moving into or out of a nursing home or other care facility
• Qualifying for Medicaid or Extra Help with drug costs
• A 5-star rated plan becoming available in your area

Each Special Enrollment Period has its own time limit, so call us as soon as something changes.

Medicare Supplements: any time, with a catch

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans don't have an annual enrollment period. You can apply to change your Supplement any month of the year. The catch is that, outside of your first Medigap open enrollment period and a few protected situations, the insurance company can ask health questions and decide whether to accept you.

If you're in good health, it's worth checking your Supplement rate every year or two. Prices for the same plan letter vary from company to company, and a new company may offer the same coverage for less.

Let us check for you

We review our clients' coverage every fall at no cost. If you'd like us to compare your current plan against what's available for next year, send us a free rate quote request or call us at 770-910-7824.