Can I Change Medicare Advantage Plans Any Time? | Medicare Plans

By Daniel Petkevich

Sep 19, 2022

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Find Out When You Can Switch Medicare Advantage Plans

Can I Change My Medicare Advantage Plan?

When Can I Change My Medicare Advantage Plan?

• Initial Enrollment period
• Annual Election Period
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

Initial Enrollment Period

You’re Eligible as Soon as You Turn 65

• It begins 3 months before you turn 65.
• It ends 3 months after your birth month.

You’re Eligible Due to a Disability (And You're Under 65)

• It begins 3 months before your Medicare coverage begins (24 months after you get Social Security or RRB benefits)
• It extends to 3 months after you start getting Medicare benefits

You’re Eligible Due to a Disability (and You Turn 65)

• It begins 3 months before you turn 65.
• It ends 3 months after your birth month.

You Have Medicare Part A and Get Part B During the General Enrollment Period

Annual Election Period

• Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage Plan.
• Return to Original Medicare from a Medicare Advantage Plan.
• Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another (with or without drug plans).
• Join a Medicare drug plan (Part D).
• Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another.
• Disenroll from a Medicare drug coverage.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

• Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan to another plan
• Return to Original Medicare from a Medicare Advantage Plan

• Switch from Original Medicare to the Medicare Advantage Plan
• Join a Medicare drug plan (Part D)
• Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another

Can You Change Medicare Advantage Plans at Any Other Time?

• You move to a different location
• You lose your current coverage
• You have a chance to get other coverage
• Your plan changes its contract with Medicare
• The state you live in grants an SEP

1. Your Change of Address Affects Your Coverage

• Switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare drug plan
• Return to Original Medicare (if you’re outside your plan’s service area)

How Long Is the Special Enrollment Period?

• If you inform your service provider before you move — your SEP begins the month before you move and extends to 2 months after you move.
• If you inform your service provider after you move — your SEP starts the month you tell your provider and ends after 2 months.

2. You Move Back to the United States

How Long Is the Special Enrollment Period?

3. You Move Out of an Institution

• Join a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan.
• Switch from your current plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan.
• Return to Original Medicare.
• Drop your Medicare drug coverage.

How Long Is the Special Enrollment Period?

4. You're No Longer Eligible for Medicaid

• Join a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan
• Switch from your current plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan
• Return to Original Medicare
• Drop your Medicare drug coverage

How Long Is the Special Enrollment Period?

• The date you’re no longer eligible
• The date you find out you’re no longer eligible

5. You Lose Coverage With Your Employer

How Long Is the Special Enrollment Period?

6. You're Impacted by Medicare Exclusions

How Long Is the Special Enrollment Period?

7. Your Plan Terminates Its Contract with Medicare

How Long Is the Special Enrollment Period?

8. Your Plan Isn't Renewed

How Long Is the Special Enrollment Period?

9. You're Eligible for Both Medicare and Medicaid

• Join a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan
• Switch from your current plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan
• Return to Original Medicare
• Drop your Medicare drug coverage

How Long Is the Special Enrollment Period?

• January – March
• April – June
• July – September

10. You Drop Medigap and Join Medicare Advantage

• Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and enroll in Original Medicare
• Buy a Medigap policy (with special rights)

How Long Is the Special Enrollment Period?

Other Situations

Takeaway

• You're unhappy with your current plan
• Your doctor moves out of network
• You move to a new place
• Your medical situation changes