Can I switch my Medicare Advantage plan later if my needs change?

Dear Sandra 

Yes you are able to change your Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan to a different plan or Original Medicare if your needs change, but you may have to wait to do so. There are specific times each year when you can change your Medicare Advantage Plans or switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Typically, you can only enroll in a different Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D plan or switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage during the following times: 

• Fall Open Enrollment Period: You can make changes to your Medicare coverage during Fall Open Enrollment (also known as the Annual Election Period, or AEP). The Fall Open enrollment Period occurs each year from October 15 through December 7, with your new coverage starting January 1. During this period you can: 
  • Change how you get your Medicare coverage 
  • Add, drop, or change Medicare drug coverage 
  • You can make as many changes as you need during this period, and your last coverage choice will take effect January 1.  
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: You can switch from your Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan, or to Original Medicare and a Part D Plan during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP). The MA OEP occurs each year from January 1 through March 31.  
  • You can only use this enrollment period if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan.  
  • Changes made during this period take effect the first of the month following the month you make the change.  
  • You can only make a single change during the MA OEP. 
• Special Enrollment Period: Under certain circumstances, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). SEPs allow you to change your health and/or drug coverage outside other enrollment periods.  
  • For example: If your Medicare Advantage Plan stops offering plans in your area or you  move out of your plan’s service area, you could use an SEP to switch to another MA Plan or to Original Medicare and a Part D Plan.  

Hope this helps! 

-Marci