How to change your Medicare Advantage plan

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period

Medicare has a Medicare Annual Enrollment Period that runs from October 15 to December 7 each year known as AEP.

During this period, you can make any of these changes:

• Swap from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
• Exchange a Medicare Advantage plan for Original Medicare
• Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan
• Change Part D prescription drug plans.
• Do nothing and keep your current Medicare coverage if it’s still available

Any changes made during the period takes effect on January 1.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

There is also another open enrollment period, but only one change can be made during this period. This period runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period lets you only:

• Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan
• Swap back to Original Medicare

During this time, you’re not able to move from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage. You also can’t make any changes to your Part D plan if you have Original Medicare paired with Plan D.

Special enrollment for Medicare Advantage

Unless you enroll in Original Medicare during the General Election Period, the only other time you can change your Medicare Advantage plan is during a special enrollment period. You can qualify for a special enrollment if a life event affects your coverage.

Some events that trigger a special enrollment include:

• Losing health insurance coverage
• Leaving coverage from your employer or union (including COBRA coverage) 
• Moving to another state where your current plan is not available 
• Moving back to the U.S. after living outside the country 

If any of these life events happen, you can make changes during a special enrollment period. Changes made during a special enrollment period usually kick in the first day of the next month.

When to change Medicare Advantage plans

Most eligible enrollees keep the same Medicare Advantage plan each year. It’s a good idea to compare plans each year, but studies have found most don't make any changes.

When should you change Medicare Advantage plans? Here are some times when it can make sense:

• Your Medicare Advantage plan is no longer offered.
• You want to switch from a restrictive plan to one with more flexibility, such as going from a health maintenance organization to a preferred provider organization plan.
• You start a new medication and your Medicare Advantage plan doesn't cover it.
• Your physician is no longer considered in-network for your plan.
• You expect an expensive upcoming surgery and want to limit out-of-pocket costs.
• You want to reduce your premiums.

How to choose a Medicare Advantage plan

If you’re looking to make a change, you should compare plans in your area to find the right one for you.

Medicare allows you to compare plans with its Medicare Star Ratings. Medicare Plan Finder let’s you see each plan’s overall rating, premiums, out-of-pocket costs and estimated health and drug costs.

When figuring out what plan to choose, here are topics to explore:

• Provider and hospital network
• Type of plan
• Premiums and out-of-pocket costs
• The plan’s quality rating
• Prescription drug coverage and whether your medication is covered

Find out more about Medicare costs.

Discovering the right Medicare Advantage plan for you takes some effort. However, finding the perfect plan for your situation can save you money and give you peace of mind that your health insurance is right for you.

Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits are offered by the following carriers: Accendo, ACE-Chubb, Aetna Medicare, AFLAC, Allstate - National General, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Capitol, Centene Corporation,  Cigna-HealthSpring, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, Humana, Lumico - Elips, Manhattan Life - MAC, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Oscar Health Insurance, Premera Blue Cross, Medica Central Health Plan, SCAN Health Plan, Scott and White Health Plan now part of Baylor Scott & White Health, UnitedHealthcare®