Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
Understand the January–March change opportunity available to current Medicare Advantage members.
Who can use this window
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is for people already in an Advantage plan. It generally runs January 1–March 31; someone newly enrolled in Medicare may have a related first-three-month opportunity. It does not function as an open enrollment window for every person in Original Medicare to join Advantage. Check the exact starting status and dates before attempting a change.
Official source: Medicare: Advantage enrollment windows ↗ · Medicare: Joining a plan ↗
One permitted plan change
During this period, an eligible member can generally switch to another Medicare Advantage plan with or without drug coverage or leave Advantage for Original Medicare, with a separate drug plan election as allowed. Medicare says one change is permitted in this period. A submitted election generally takes effect the first day of the following month after the plan receives it.
Official source: Medicare: Advantage enrollment windows ↗ · Medicare: Joining a plan ↗
Recheck providers, drugs and costs
When correcting an Advantage choice, verify that the replacement plan serves the home address, accepts necessary doctors and hospitals, covers medications and has affordable medical exposure. Confirm the exact drug arrangement if the new Advantage plan omits Part D. A second plan with the same carrier may still have a different network or formulary.
Official source: Medicare: Compare plans ↗ · Medicare: Provider network fact sheet ↗ · Medicare: What drug plans cover ↗
Returning to Original Medicare
Original Medicare usually allows broad access to Medicare-participating providers, but it has no general annual Part A/B out-of-pocket limit without other protection. Check the need and timing for standalone Part D and any Medigap purchase protection. The Advantage Open Enrollment right by itself does not automatically confer a new Medigap open-enrollment period.
Official source: Medicare: Original versus Advantage ↗ · Medicare: Buying Medigap ↗ · Medicare: Advantage enrollment windows ↗
Save confirmation and effective date
Record which plan received the request, the confirmation number, date and first day of replacement coverage. Check that the old and new plan dates line up and that the new member card arrives. If a denial or service disruption occurs, use the plan’s formal determination and appeal process instead of assuming a phone conversation changes coverage.
Official source: Medicare: Joining a plan ↗ · Medicare: Evidence of Coverage ↗