Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan 1–Mar 31)

# Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan 1–Mar 31)

If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and you're not happy with it — or if the plan changed in ways that no longer work for your situation — you don't have to wait until fall to make a move. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which runs every year from January 1 through March 31, gives you one opportunity to make a change. Understanding exactly what this window allows, who it applies to, and how to use it wisely can help you avoid being locked into the wrong coverage for the rest of the year.

What the Medicare Advantage OEP Allows

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is a specific enrollment window with a narrower scope than the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) that runs each fall. During the OEP, people who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1 can do one of the following:

• Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan
• Leave Medicare Advantage entirely and return to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)

If you return to Original Medicare during the OEP, you also have the ability to enroll in a standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, since losing your Medicare Advantage drug coverage is a qualifying event for Part D enrollment.

What the OEP does not allow:

• People on Original Medicare cannot use the OEP to join a Medicare Advantage plan — that option is limited to the AEP or a qualifying Special Enrollment Period.
• You cannot use the OEP to make changes to a standalone Part D plan without also changing your Medicare Advantage enrollment.
• You get one change during the OEP, not multiple.

Who the OEP Applies To

The OEP applies to people enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1 of that year. If you made a change during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7) and your new plan took effect January 1, you can still use the OEP for one additional change — useful if the plan brought surprises like a provider dropping out of network or a formulary change affecting a key medication.

One important clarification: the OEP is separate from the Trial Right that applies to people in their first year of Medicare Advantage. That trial right includes a guaranteed-issue right to purchase a Medigap plan when returning to Original Medicare — a stronger protection than the OEP provides. Confirm which right applies before acting.

How to Make a Change During the OEP

Timing within the window determines when new coverage begins: changes made in January take effect February 1, February changes take effect March 1, and March changes take effect April 1.

To switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, enroll in the new plan directly — your old plan will be automatically disenrolled. To return to Original Medicare, contact your current plan or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

If you return to Original Medicare, two things require immediate attention:

• Enroll in a standalone Part D drug plan promptly to avoid a coverage gap and a potential late enrollment penalty.
• Understand that returning during the OEP does not automatically grant a guaranteed-issue right to purchase Medigap. Medical underwriting may apply — a critical point that catches many beneficiaries off guard.

Making the Most of This Window

The OEP is a correction window, not an impulse window. Before making a change, take time to:

• Verify your provider network. Network directories can have errors — call the provider's office directly to confirm participation in any plan you're considering.
• Review the drug formulary. Confirm your medications are covered at an acceptable tier. Formulary changes are among the most common reasons people want to switch plans in January.
• Check the out-of-pocket maximum. The annual cap on in-network costs varies considerably by plan. Know what you'd owe in a high-cost year before committing.
• Weigh Original Medicare plus Medigap. If network restrictions or prior authorization requirements have frustrated you, returning to Original Medicare may offer more flexibility — but factor in Medigap underwriting before assuming that path is open.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use the OEP to add a Medigap plan when I return to Original Medicare? A: Returning to Original Medicare during the OEP does not automatically grant a guaranteed-issue right to purchase a Medigap plan in most cases. Outside of specific qualifying situations — such as leaving a plan within the first year under a trial right, or your plan terminating — Medigap insurers can apply medical underwriting. If getting a Medigap plan is your goal, consult an advisor before making the switch to understand your underwriting exposure.

Q: What if I'm on Original Medicare and want to join a Medicare Advantage plan in January or February? A: The OEP does not allow people on Original Medicare to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. That option is available during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7) each year, or through a qualifying Special Enrollment Period triggered by specific life events. If you missed the AEP, you'll generally need to wait until the following fall unless you have a qualifying event.

Q: Does the OEP affect my Part D prescription drug plan if I stay on Medicare Advantage? A: If you stay enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage and simply switch to a different Advantage plan during the OEP, your new plan's drug coverage takes effect with the rest of your new plan benefits. If you switch to a Medicare Advantage plan without drug coverage, you may want to evaluate whether you need a standalone Part D plan to avoid a gap in coverage.

Have questions about your Medicare options? Lynsey Brennan (FL License #G007269) offers free consultations in FL, TX, AZ, GA, NC, SC, PA, OH, TN, VA. Call (561) 735-1490 or book online.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.