When and how you can change your Medicare plan
You can change your Medicare plan during Open Enrollment for Medicare, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. During these dates, you can switch to a different Part B provider, join or leave a Medicare Advantage plan, add or drop prescription drug coverage, or move between Medigap policies. Changes you make during Open Enrollment take effect on January 1 of the following year.
Outside of Open Enrollment, you can change plans only if you have a may have access to life event — such as moving to a new state, losing employer coverage, or becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid. You then have a limited window, usually 60 days from the event, to make changes. If you miss the Open Enrollment window and do not have a may have access to event, you are locked into your current plan until the next October.
The process itself is straightforward: you contact your new plan directly, provide your Medicare number and current coverage details, and submit your request. Your new plan handles most of the paperwork. You do not need to contact Medicare itself to switch plans.
Key Takeaways
- Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 each year, and changes take effect January 1.
- You can switch plans outside Open Enrollment only if you have a may have access to life event such as moving or losing employer coverage.
- Contact your new plan directly with your Medicare number — you do not need to call Medicare to make the switch.
- Review your current plan's coverage, costs, and provider networks before switching to make sure the new plan meets your needs.
- If you switch Medicare Advantage plans, your old plan coverage ends when your new plan begins on January 1.
What to review before you switch
Before you change plans, compare what you pay now against what you would pay in the new plan. Look at your monthly premium, deductible, copays for doctor visits, and coinsurance for hospital stays. A plan with a lower premium might have higher copays, so add up your typical yearly costs, not just the premium. Use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov to see side-by-side costs for plans in your area.
Check whether your doctors and hospitals are in the new plan's network. If you see a specialist regularly, call the new plan and confirm that doctor is covered. For Medicare Advantage plans especially, network changes happen often — a doctor you see today might not be in the plan next year. Ask the plan directly rather than relying on an online directory, because directories are sometimes outdated.
If you take prescription drugs, look up each medication in the new plan's formulary — the official list of covered drugs. Some plans cover a drug but require you to try a cheaper version first, or they may charge more for certain medications. If your current drugs are not covered, ask the plan about alternatives or whether you can request an exception.
How to switch during Open Enrollment
Call your new plan's enrollment number or visit their website to request the switch. Have your Medicare number ready — it is on your Medicare card. Tell them your current plan name and coverage type (Part B, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, or Part D). The plan will confirm your may be able to access and walk you through any remaining steps.
You can also enroll through Medicare.gov using the Plan Finder tool. Select the plan you want, click "Enroll," and you will be directed to the plan's website to complete enrollment. Some people prefer calling because a representative can answer questions in real time, but online enrollment is faster if you know exactly which plan you want.
Do not cancel your current plan yourself. Your new plan's enrollment automatically ends your old coverage on December 31, and your new coverage begins January 1. If you cancel early, you may have a gap in coverage. Keep paying your current plan's premiums until January 1 to avoid any lapse.
Switching when you have a may have access to life event
A may have access to life event lets you change plans outside the October-December window. Common events include moving to a different state or county, losing employer health coverage, becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid or Extra Help, or having a change in your household size. Divorce, death of a spouse, and retirement also count.
Once the event happens, you have 60 days to contact your new plan and request the change. The plan will ask you to document the event — for example, a lease or utility bill if you moved, or a letter from your employer if you lost coverage. Submit this proof when you enroll. Your coverage change usually takes effect on the first of the month after the plan receives your request, though some events allow coverage to start sooner.
If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and describe what happened. They can tell you whether you have a may have access to event and how much time you have to act.
Special situations: Switching from or to Medicare Advantage
If you are leaving a Medicare Advantage plan to switch to Original Medicare (Part A and B) plus a Medigap policy, you have 63 days from the date your Medicare Advantage plan ends to buy a Medigap policy without medical underwriting. This means the insurance company cannot deny you or charge you more based on your health. After 63 days, you may face higher premiums or denial if you have pre-existing conditions.
If you are switching from one Medicare Advantage plan to another during Open Enrollment, your coverage is continuous — your old plan ends December 31 and your new plan begins January 1. You do not lose coverage in between. However, if you switch outside Open Enrollment due to a may have access to event, confirm the exact start date with your new plan to avoid any gaps.
If you are joining a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time, you have a one-time right to switch back to Original Medicare within 12 months of your initial enrollment. This is called the Medicare Advantage disenrollment period. After that year, you can only switch during Open Enrollment or if you have a may have access to event.
What happens after you switch
Your new plan will send you a welcome packet with your new member ID card, plan documents, and a list of in-network providers. This usually arrives in late December if you switched during Open Enrollment. Do not throw away your old Medicare card — keep it as a backup until you receive your new card and confirm it is correct.
Starting January 1, use your new member ID card at the doctor's office and pharmacy. If you switched prescription drug plans, your pharmacy may need a few days to update their system. If there is a delay, ask your pharmacy to contact your new plan directly or call the plan's pharmacy support line yourself.
Review your first explanation of benefits (EOB) statement carefully. It shows what your plan paid and what you owe. If something looks wrong — for example, a copay that does not match your plan documents — contact your plan's customer service right away. Problems are easier to fix within the first few months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change plans more than once during Open Enrollment?
Yes. You can switch plans multiple times between October 15 and December 7 if you change your mind. However, only your final enrollment counts — your last request is the plan you will be in on January 1. If you enroll in Plan A on November 1 and then enroll in Plan B on November 20, you will be in Plan B.
What if I miss the Open Enrollment important date?
If you miss the October 15 to December 7 window and do not have a may have access to life event, you cannot change plans until the next Open Enrollment period. The only exception is if you are newly may be able to access for Medicare — you have 63 days from the month you turn 65 or become may be able to access to enroll in any plan without waiting.
Do I have to switch plans every year?
No. You can stay in the same plan for as long as you want. However, plans change their premiums, deductibles, and networks every year, so it is worth reviewing your coverage each October to see if a different plan would save you money or better meet your needs.
What if my doctor leaves my new plan's network after I switch?
If your doctor leaves the network within the first two months of your new coverage, you may have grounds to disenroll and switch to a different plan outside the normal Open Enrollment window. Contact your plan when ready and ask about your options. Medicare can also help — call 1-800-MEDICARE to report the change.
Can I switch back to my old plan if I do not like the new one?
If you switched during Open Enrollment, you can switch again during the next Open Enrollment period in October. If you switched due to a may have access to life event, you cannot switch back unless you have another may have access to event. If you switched from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, you have 12 months to switch back to Original Medicare without a may have access to event.