Yes, you can change Medicare Advantage plans, but only during specific windows in the year

You are not locked into a Medicare Advantage plan for life. You can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, switch to Original Medicare with a Medigap policy, or switch back to Medicare Advantage — but the timing matters. Medicare sets three main periods each year when you can make changes without waiting until the next open enrollment. Missing these windows means you stay in your current plan until the next one opens, with limited exceptions.

The rules are strict because Medicare needs to know how many people will be in each plan so it can set premiums and manage costs. Understanding when you can switch and what paperwork you need will save you from being stuck in a plan that no longer works for you.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change Medicare Advantage plans during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 each year), and the change takes effect January 1.
  • If you have a may have access to life event — such as moving out of your plan's service area, losing employer coverage, or becoming may be able to access for Medicaid — you get a Special Enrollment Period lasting 60 days from the event.
  • The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31) lets you switch once per year without a may have access to reason, but only if you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
  • You must contact your new plan directly to enroll; Medicare does not process the switch for you.
  • Your old plan ends on the day your new plan begins, so there is no gap in coverage if you switch during an open period.

The three times you can switch Medicare Advantage plans

Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) is the main window. During these weeks, anyone with Medicare can switch to any Medicare Advantage plan available in their area, switch to Original Medicare, or make other changes. Your new plan starts January 1. You can make changes online at Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or by mail using the form your plan sends you.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31) applies only if you are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1. During these three months, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan once, with no reason required. This is a second chance if you made a mistake during the fall enrollment or if your plan changed its coverage after you enrolled. Your new plan starts the first day of the month after you enroll.

Special Enrollment Period opens when certain life events happen. You get 60 days from the event to make a change. may have access to events include moving out of your plan's service area, losing employer-sponsored coverage, becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid or Extra Help, having a change in your Medicaid status, or being in a plan that is being discontinued. If your plan is leaving Medicare entirely, Medicare sends you a notice and gives you extra time to switch.

What counts as a may have access to life event

A may have access to life event is a change in your circumstances that affects your ability to use your current plan. Moving to a new state or county where your plan does not operate is the most common one. If you relocate and your Medicare Advantage plan does not serve your new address, you can switch when ready without waiting for the next enrollment period.

Losing health coverage from a current or former employer also qualifies. If you were covered under a spouse's retiree health plan and that coverage ends, or if you lose COBRA coverage, you have 60 days to switch. Becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid or the Low-Income Subsidy (Extra Help) program opens a Special Enrollment Period. So does a change in your Medicaid status — for example, if you were receiving Medicaid and then lost it, or vice versa.

Death of a spouse, divorce, or becoming a U.S. citizen also trigger a Special Enrollment Period. If your plan is being discontinued or merged with another plan, Medicare notifies you and you can switch to any other plan in your area. Incarceration and release from incarceration are also may have access to events, as is a change in your living situation (such as moving from independent living to a nursing home).

How to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan

Contact your new plan directly — do not wait for Medicare to process the change. You can enroll by phone, online, or by mail. The plan's member services number is on its website or on any marketing materials you have received. When you call, have your Medicare number ready and tell them you want to enroll. They will ask about your current coverage and confirm that you are within an open enrollment period or have a may have access to event.

If you are switching during a Special Enrollment Period, the plan may ask you to provide proof of the may have access to event — for example, a lease showing your new address, a letter from your employer saying coverage ended, or a Medicaid notice. Have these documents ready before you call. The plan will tell you what it needs and whether you can send it by mail or upload it online.

Your new plan will confirm your enrollment and tell you when coverage starts. Your old plan automatically ends on the day your new plan begins. You do not need to contact your old plan to cancel; Medicare handles that. However, if you want to confirm the cancellation, you can call your old plan's member services line.

Switching from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare

You can switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare during the Annual Enrollment Period or if you have a may have access to life event. You do not need a Special Enrollment Period reason to switch during October 15 to December 7 — that window is open to everyone. If you switch to Original Medicare outside of Annual Enrollment, you will need a may have access to event.

When you switch to Original Medicare, your Medicare Advantage plan ends and you are covered under the Original Medicare program (Part A and Part B). You can then purchase a Medigap policy to cover costs that Original Medicare does not pay. Medigap policies have their own enrollment rules: you have a six-month window from the date you first enroll in Medicare Part B to purchase a Medigap policy without medical underwriting. If you are switching from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare outside that window, some Medigap insurers may require you to answer health questions before they will sell you a policy.

What happens to your coverage during the switch

Your old Medicare Advantage plan ends on the last day of the month in which your new plan begins, or on the date specified in your enrollment confirmation — whichever is earlier. There is no gap in coverage. If you enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan on November 15, your old plan ends December 31 and your new plan starts January 1.

During the transition, your prescriptions may be affected. If you are taking a medication that your old plan covered but your new plan does not, contact your new plan's pharmacy department before your coverage switches. Some plans will cover a short supply of a non-formulary drug while you and your doctor work out an alternative. Your doctors may also be in different networks — check whether your current doctors are in-network with your new plan before you enroll, because switching plans mid-year can mean finding new providers.

Reasons people switch Medicare Advantage plans

The most common reason is a change in the plan's network or coverage. Your doctor may leave the plan's network, or the plan may stop covering a medication you need. You may also switch because premiums or out-of-pocket costs are rising. Medicare Advantage plans can change their premiums, deductibles, and copays each year, and these changes take effect January 1. If your costs are going up significantly, comparing other plans during Annual Enrollment may reveal a better option.

Some people switch because they are moving and their current plan does not serve their new area. Others switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare because they want more flexibility in choosing doctors, or because they are moving to a state where their plan is not available and they prefer to stay on Original Medicare instead of switching to a new Medicare Advantage plan.

Questions to ask before you switch

Before you enroll in a new plan, confirm that your current doctors and hospitals are in the new plan's network. Call the plan or use its online directory to verify. Ask whether any medications you take are on the plan's formulary and what your copay will be. Find out what the plan's deductible is and whether it applies to all services or only some.

Ask about the plan's out-of-pocket maximum — this is the most you will pay in a year for covered services. Once you reach this amount, the plan pays 100% of covered costs for the rest of the year. Compare this number across plans you are considering. If you use specialists or have ongoing medical needs, ask whether the plan requires referrals and whether there are any restrictions on the number of visits you can make.

Check whether the plan covers services you use, such as dental, vision, or hearing aids. Many Medicare Advantage plans include these benefits, but coverage varies widely. Ask about the plan's appeals process if a service is denied, and whether the plan has a nurse hotline you can call with questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch Medicare Advantage plans more than once a year?

During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31), you can switch once if you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan. During the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7), you can make changes without limit. Outside these windows, you need a may have access to life event to switch.

What if I switch plans and then change my mind?

If you enroll in a new plan during Annual Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period, you have until December 7 (if you enrolled during the fall) or March 31 (if you enrolled during the January-March window) to switch again. After that date, you are locked in until the next enrollment period unless you have a may have access to event.

Do I lose coverage on the day I switch?

No. Your old plan ends and your new plan begins on the same day, so there is no gap. If your new plan starts January 1, your old plan's coverage ends December 31. Make sure you have your new plan's member ID card before your coverage switches so you can use it at the doctor or pharmacy.

What if my new plan does not cover a medication my old plan did?

Contact your new plan's pharmacy department before your coverage switches. Ask whether the medication is on the formulary or whether you can request an exception. If the plan will not cover it, your doctor can request a formulary exception or prescribe an alternative medication that the plan does cover. Some plans will cover a short supply while you transition.

Can I switch from Original Medicare back to Medicare Advantage?

Yes, during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7). You can also switch if you have a may have access to life event. If you are switching from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage and you have a Medigap policy, you will lose Medigap coverage when Medicare Advantage begins, so confirm that the Medicare Advantage plan meets your needs before you switch.