When and How to Switch Medicare Advantage Plans

Yes, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, but only during specific windows and with limits on how often you can change

You are not locked into a Medicare Advantage plan for life. You can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, switch to Original Medicare, or switch back to Medicare Advantage — but the timing matters. Most people get one chance per year during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs October 15 to December 7. Some people get extra switching windows if they move, lose coverage, or experience certain life changes. Missing the window means you stay in your current plan until the next AEP arrives.

The rules are strict about when you can switch and what happens to your coverage while you wait. A switch made in November takes effect January 1 of the next year. A switch made in January does not happen until the following January 1. If you need coverage to change sooner — because your doctor left the plan, your medication is no longer covered, or you are moving — you may have a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that lets you switch outside the normal window.

Key Takeaways

The Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) is when almost everyone can switch Medicare Advantage plans, with the change taking effect January 1.
If you move, lose employer coverage, or experience certain life events, you may open a Special Enrollment Period that lets you switch at other times of year.
You can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, to Original Medicare, or back to Medicare Advantage, but each choice has different important date and rules.
Once you switch into Original Medicare during AEP, you have until February 14 to add a Part D drug plan, but you cannot switch back to Medicare Advantage until the next AEP.
If you switch Medicare Advantage plans in the same year, your old plan's coverage ends and your new plan's coverage begins on January 1, with no gap.

The Annual Enrollment Period: Your main switching window

The Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. During this window, you can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, or switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage. Any change you make during AEP takes effect on January 1 of the following year.

To switch during AEP, you contact your new plan directly or use Medicare.gov to compare plans and enroll. You do not need permission from your current plan. Your current coverage continues through December 31, and your new coverage begins January 1 with no gap. If you switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, your old plan automatically ends on December 31.

The important date to switch is December 7 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. If you miss this date, you cannot switch until the next AEP in October, unless you may have access to for a Special Enrollment Period. Many people wait until late November or early December, but waiting until the last week creates risk — if you have technical problems or questions, you may not have time to resolve them before the important date closes.

Special Enrollment Periods: Switching outside the annual window

A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) lets you switch plans outside of AEP if you experience certain events. The most common triggers are moving to a new state or county, losing employer coverage, becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid, or having a family member die. Some SEPs last 60 days from the event; others last longer. The plan change usually takes effect the first of the month after you enroll, not January 1.

You must report the triggering event to Medicare or your plan and provide proof — a lease or utility bill for a move, a letter from your employer for loss of coverage, or a death certificate for a family member's death. Without proof, Medicare will not open the SEP. If you think you may have access to for a SEP, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to confirm the event qualifies and to find out how long you have to switch.

Not all life changes open a SEP. Losing coverage because you turned 65 does not may have access to. Changing your mind about your plan choice does not may have access to. Your doctor leaving the plan does not automatically may have access to, though some plans offer a one-time exception if a doctor leaves mid-year — ask your plan directly whether this applies to you.

Switching from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare

If you switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare during AEP, your Medicare Advantage plan ends December 31 and Original Medicare begins January 1. You then have until February 14 to enroll in a Part D drug plan. If you do not enroll in Part D by February 14, you may owe a late enrollment penalty on your premiums for as long as you have Part D coverage.

Once you switch to Original Medicare during AEP, you cannot switch back to Medicare Advantage until the next AEP in October — even if you regret the change. This is a one-way door during the annual window. If you open a Special Enrollment Period and switch to Original Medicare outside of AEP, the same rule applies: you cannot return to Medicare Advantage until the next AEP.

If you have a Medigap policy (supplemental insurance), you can keep it when you switch to Original Medicare. If you do not have one and want to buy one, you may have a limited window to do so without medical underwriting, depending on your state and your age. Contact a Medigap insurer or your state health insurance counselor to learn what is available to you.

Switching from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage

If you are in Original Medicare and want to switch to Medicare Advantage, you can do so during AEP. Your Original Medicare coverage ends December 31, and your Medicare Advantage plan begins January 1. You do not need to drop your Part D drug plan first — it ends automatically when your Medicare Advantage plan begins, since Medicare Advantage includes drug coverage.

If you have a Medigap policy, you should contact your Medigap insurer to cancel it before your Medicare Advantage plan starts. Medigap and Medicare Advantage do not work together, and you will be paying for coverage you cannot use. Some states allow you to cancel Medigap without penalty if you switch to Medicare Advantage, but the rules vary — check with your insurer.

If you switch to Medicare Advantage and later want to return to Original Medicare, you can do so during the next AEP. However, if you had a Medigap policy before and dropped it to join Medicare Advantage, you may not be able to buy the same Medigap plan again. Some insurers will not sell you Medigap coverage after you have been in Medicare Advantage, or will charge you more based on your health. Ask a Medigap insurer about your options before you switch away from Original Medicare.

Switching between two Medicare Advantage plans

If you want to change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another — for example, because your doctor is no longer in the network or your out-of-pocket costs are too high — you can do so during AEP. Your old plan ends December 31, and your new plan begins January 1. There is no gap in coverage, and you do not need to notify your old plan.

When you switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan, your new plan's drug formulary (list of covered drugs) takes effect on January 1. If your current plan covers a drug that your new plan does not, you should ask your doctor whether an alternative drug on the new plan's formulary will work for you. If no alternative is acceptable, you may want to reconsider the switch or talk to the new plan about a coverage exception before January 1 arrives.

Some Medicare Advantage plans allow you to switch once during the year if a covered doctor leaves the plan's network. This is called a one-time election, and it is not automatic — you have to ask the plan whether you may have access to and request the switch in writing. The timing and rules vary by plan, so contact your plan directly to learn whether this option is available to you.

What happens to your coverage during the switch

If you switch during AEP, your old coverage continues through December 31 and your new coverage begins January 1. You have no gap. If you are in the middle of a hospital stay or ongoing treatment on December 31, your old plan remains responsible for that care through the end of the month. Your new plan takes over on January 1.

If you have prescriptions that need to be filled between now and January 1, check whether your new plan covers those drugs. If your new plan does not cover a drug your old plan does, ask your old plan's pharmacy to fill a 30-day or 90-day supply before December 31 so you have medication on hand while you work with your new plan on a coverage exception or alternative drug.

If you switch outside of AEP using a Special Enrollment Period, the timing depends on when you enroll. Most SEP switches take effect on the first of the month after you enroll. For example, if you enroll on March 15, your new coverage usually begins April 1. Your old coverage ends the day before your new coverage begins.

Common mistakes to avoid when switching

The biggest mistake is waiting until December 7 to switch. Technical problems, questions about plan details, or delays in processing can leave you stuck if you enroll in the last few days. Enroll by early December to give yourself time to fix any problems.

Another common mistake is switching to a plan without checking whether your doctors and pharmacy are in the network. Medicare.gov lets you search for doctors and pharmacies by plan, but the information is not always current. Call your new plan directly and ask whether your specific doctors and pharmacy are in-network before you enroll.

A third mistake is switching from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare without understanding that you cannot switch back until the next AEP. If you are unhappy with Original Medicare after a few months, you are stuck until October. Think carefully about this switch before you make it.

Do not assume your prescriptions will be covered by your new plan. Check the formulary before you switch, especially if you take expensive or specialty drugs. If your new plan does not cover a drug, ask whether you can request a coverage exception or whether a similar drug is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, not during the Annual Enrollment Period. You get one chance per year to switch, and any change takes effect January 1. If you may have access to for a Special Enrollment Period due to a move, loss of coverage, or other life event, you can switch outside of AEP, but these windows are limited and require proof of the triggering event.

What if I switch plans and then regret it?

If you switched during AEP and regret the change, you cannot switch again until the next AEP in October. If you switched using a Special Enrollment Period, you may not be able to switch again until AEP, depending on the reason for your SEP. Plan your switch carefully before you enroll.

Do I have to tell my old plan that I am switching?

No. When you enroll in a new plan, your old plan is notified automatically and your coverage ends on December 31 (or the last day of the month if you switched via a Special Enrollment Period). You do not need to contact your old plan to cancel.

What if my new plan does not cover a drug I need?

Contact your new plan and ask for a coverage exception or formulary exception. You can also ask your doctor to request an exception on your behalf. If the plan denies the exception, you can file an appeal. Do this before January 1 if possible so you have time to resolve the issue.

Can I switch back to my old plan if I change my mind?

No. Once you switch away from a plan during AEP, you cannot re-enroll in that same plan until the next AEP. If you switched using a Special Enrollment Period, the same rule usually applies. Choose your new plan carefully.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.