How to Switch Your Medicare Advantage Plan During Open Enrollment

You can change your Medicare Advantage plan once a year during the Annual Enrollment Period

Medicare Advantage plans can be switched during a specific window each year called the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 to December 7. During these dates, you can drop your current plan and join a different one, or switch back to Original Medicare with a Medigap policy. Changes you make during AEP take effect on January 1 of the following year.

Outside of AEP, you generally cannot change plans unless you experience a may have access to life event — such as moving to a new county, losing employer coverage, or becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid. If you miss the annual window and have no may have access to event, you are locked into your current plan until the next October 15.

Key Takeaways

The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7 each year, and any plan change takes effect January 1.
You can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, return to Original Medicare, or enroll in a Medigap policy during AEP without medical underwriting.
If you move to a new county, you may be able to change plans outside the annual window by contacting Medicare directly.
Before switching, compare your current plan's costs, coverage, and provider network against other options in your area.
You must actively choose a new plan — if you do nothing during AEP, your current plan will renew automatically.

How to switch during the Annual Enrollment Period

To change your plan during AEP, you have three main routes: online through Medicare.gov, by phone with Medicare, or in person with help from a counselor.

Online: Visit Medicare.gov, log into your account, and go to the "Manage Your Health Plans" section. You can compare plans available in your ZIP code, see which doctors and hospitals are in each network, and check the costs for your medications. Once you choose a new plan, you can enroll directly on the website. Confirmation happens when ready.

By phone: Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). A representative can walk you through available plans, answer questions about coverage and costs, and enroll you over the phone. The call is free. Have your current plan information and a list of your doctors and medications ready.

In person: Contact your local State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP) to schedule a free counseling appointment. SHIP counselors are trained to compare plans side by side and help you understand the differences. You can find your state's SHIP by calling 1-877-839-2675 or visiting shiptalk.org.

What to compare before you switch

Not all Medicare Advantage plans are the same, even within your county. Before switching, look at these specific details for each plan you are considering:

Monthly premium and deductibles: Write down the monthly cost you pay, the annual deductible, and any copays or coinsurance for doctor visits, hospital stays, and urgent care. A plan with a lower premium might have higher out-of-pocket costs when you actually use care.

Your doctors and hospitals: Check whether your current doctors are in the new plan's network. If your primary care doctor is not listed, call the doctor's office directly — some offices handle multiple plans and the website may not be current. Ask specifically whether they accept that plan's insurance.

Prescription drug coverage: If you take medications regularly, look up each drug on the plan's formulary (the list of covered drugs). Note the tier level, copay amount, and whether the pharmacy you use is in the plan's network. Drug coverage can change year to year, so check even if you have been on the same medication for years.

Extra benefits: Many Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision, hearing, or fitness benefits that Original Medicare does not cover. If these matter to you, compare what each plan offers and whether there are waiting periods or limits.

Switching outside the Annual Enrollment Period

You can change plans outside of AEP only if you have a may have access to life event. Medicare recognizes these situations as may have access to:

You move to a new county or state where your current plan is not available.
You lose employer or union coverage.
You become newly may be able to access for Medicaid or lose Medicaid coverage.
You are enrolled in a plan through a State Pharmaceutical information Program and that program changes.
You experience a permanent move to a nursing home, assisted living facility, or other institutional setting.
Your plan leaves the Medicare program or stops serving your area.

If any of these explore to you, contact Medicare within 60 days of the event. Call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit Medicare.gov and report the change. Medicare will tell you which plans are now available to you and may allow you to enroll outside the normal window. You will need to provide proof of the may have access to event — such as a lease showing your new address, a letter from your employer, or a Medicaid notice.

What happens to your coverage when you switch

Your new plan takes effect on January 1 if you enroll during AEP. Your old plan ends on December 31. During the gap between when you enroll and when coverage starts, you are still covered by your current plan, so there is no break in coverage.

When your new plan begins, you will receive a new insurance card in the mail before January 1. Use your old card until December 31, then switch to the new card on January 1. If you do not receive your new card by December 20, call the new plan's customer service number (on the enrollment confirmation) to request it.

Your new plan will have a different customer service phone number, website, and provider network. Update your doctors' offices with your new insurance information so they can bill the correct plan. If you take prescription medications, notify your pharmacy of your new coverage so they can verify which drugs are covered and at what cost.

If you change your mind after enrolling

Medicare gives you a window to reconsider after you enroll in a new plan. If you enroll during AEP and then change your mind, you have until December 31 to make a different choice. This is called the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period. You can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan, go back to your old plan if it is still available, or switch to Original Medicare with a Medigap policy.

To make another change, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or go to Medicare.gov. Let them know you want to change your selection. The new plan will then take effect on January 1 instead of your previous choice.

After December 31, you cannot make another change until the next AEP in October, unless you have a may have access to life event. This is why it is important to review your choice carefully before the important date.

Questions to ask your current plan before you leave

Before you switch, it can help to call your current plan's customer service and ask: "Are there any changes to my coverage, costs, or network for next year?" Plans sometimes change their benefits, add or remove doctors from their network, or adjust copays. If your plan is making changes that bother you, that is a good reason to switch. If nothing is changing and you are satisfied, you might choose to stay.

You can also ask whether your plan offers any programs to help manage a chronic condition you have — such as diabetes management, heart disease support, or pulmonary rehabilitation. Some plans have these programs and others do not, and they can make a real difference in your care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I miss the October 15 important date?

If you miss the October 15 start date but enroll before December 7, your new plan still takes effect on January 1. You do not have to wait until next year. However, if December 7 passes and you have not enrolled in a new plan, you cannot switch until October 15 of the following year unless you have a may have access to life event.

Can I switch back to my old plan if I do not like the new one?

Yes, but only until December 31 of the year you switched. After that, you cannot go back unless you have a may have access to life event. This is why it is worth taking time to compare plans before you enroll — switching back is possible but only for a limited time.

Do I need to tell my current plan I am leaving?

No. When you enroll in a new plan through Medicare, your old plan is automatically terminated on December 31. You do not need to call and cancel. However, it does not hurt to call and confirm that your coverage will end on that date, especially if you have any pending claims.

Will I have to answer health questions when I switch plans?

No. During AEP, you can switch to any Medicare Advantage plan available in your area without medical underwriting or health questions. This protection is one of the main reasons to switch during the annual window rather than waiting for a may have access to event.

What if my doctor is not in the new plan's network?

Call your doctor's office directly and ask whether they accept the new plan. Some doctors are in multiple plans' networks but the website listing may be incomplete. If your doctor truly is not in the network, you have until December 31 to switch to a different plan that includes them, or you can choose to see an out-of-network doctor and pay higher costs.

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.