When and how you can change Medicare Advantage plans

You can change Medicare Advantage plans once a year during the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Your new plan takes effect on January 1. Outside this window, you can switch only if you experience a may have access to life event — moving to a new service area, losing employer coverage, or becoming may be able to access for Medicaid, among others. If none of these explore to you, 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 complete their enrollment form. You do not need permission from your current plan to leave. Your old plan coverage ends automatically on December 31, and your new one begins January 1. No gap occurs if you enroll before the December 7 important date.

Many people change plans because their doctor is no longer in-network, their out-of-pocket costs have risen, or they want different drug coverage. Others switch because their plan's premiums or deductibles changed for the coming year. The key is to act during the enrollment window — waiting until January means you cannot change until the following October.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change Medicare Advantage plans only during the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7 each year, with the new plan starting January 1.
  • Outside the enrollment period, you can switch plans only if you have a may have access to life event such as moving, losing coverage, or becoming may be able to access for Medicaid.
  • Contact your new plan directly with your Medicare number — you do not need to notify your old plan or go through Medicare to switch.
  • Your old plan ends December 31 automatically, so no gap in coverage occurs if you enroll before the important date.
  • Review your new plan's drug formulary and provider network before enrolling to confirm your doctors and medications are covered.

Steps to enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan

Start by gathering your Medicare number, which appears on your Medicare card. You will need it for any plan you contact. Then decide which plan you want to join. You can compare plans on Medicare.gov by entering your zip code, current medications, and preferred doctors. The site shows you each plan's premiums, deductibles, copays, and which providers are in-network.

Once you have chosen a plan, contact that plan's enrollment department directly. Most plans have a phone number on their website or marketing materials. Tell them you want to enroll, provide your Medicare number, and answer basic questions about your address and coverage history. Some plans also let you enroll online through their website or through Medicare.gov itself.

The plan will send you a confirmation letter with your new member ID, effective date, and plan details. Keep this letter. Your old plan will send you a disenrollment notice confirming you have left. If you do not receive confirmation from your new plan within two weeks, call them to verify your enrollment went through.

What to check before you switch

Before you enroll, confirm that your current doctors are in-network with the new plan. Call the plan or check their provider directory online — do not assume your doctor is covered just because they were with your old plan. Ask specifically whether your primary care doctor, any specialists you see regularly, and your preferred hospital are in-network. Out-of-network care usually costs much more.

Check the drug formulary, which is the plan's list of covered medications. Search for each prescription drug you take and verify it is on the list. If a drug is not covered, ask your doctor whether a similar medication on the formulary would work for you. Some plans cover a drug only after you have tried another one first — this is called a step therapy requirement, and it can delay your prescription.

Compare the out-of-pocket costs: premiums, deductibles, copays for doctor visits, and copays for specialist visits. A plan with a lower premium might have higher copays, so add up what you actually expect to spend based on how often you see doctors. Also check whether the plan covers services you use, such as dental, vision, or hearing aids — not all plans offer these.

may have access to life events that let you switch outside enrollment period

If you experience certain life changes, you can switch plans outside the October-December window. These may have access to life events include moving to a new county or state where your current plan does not operate, losing employer-sponsored coverage, becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid, or having a change in your Medicaid status. Death of a spouse, divorce, and becoming a U.S. citizen also may have access to.

You typically have 60 days from the date of the event to make a change. You will need to prove the event occurred — for a move, this might be a utility bill or lease showing your new address; for loss of coverage, a letter from your employer or former plan. Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or your new plan directly to report the event and request a Special Enrollment Period.

Do not wait until after the 60-day window closes. Once it expires, you cannot use that event to justify a mid-year switch, and you will be stuck with your current plan until the next October.

Common mistakes to avoid when changing plans

The biggest mistake is missing the December 7 important date. If you enroll after December 7, your new plan will not start until the following year, and you will remain in your old plan through December 31. Mark the important date on your calendar and enroll by early December to leave time for confirmation.

Another common error is not checking the provider network before enrolling. Many people assume their doctor is covered and discover after January 1 that they are out-of-network. Always call the plan or check their directory yourself — do not rely on memory or assumptions.

Some people also forget to review their new plan's drug formulary and discover in January that a medication they take is not covered or requires prior authorization. Spend 15 minutes checking your prescriptions before you enroll. If a critical drug is not covered, that plan may not be the right choice for you.

Finally, do not enroll in a plan you do not understand. If the plan's website or materials are confusing, call their member services line and ask questions. It is better to spend 20 minutes on the phone before you enroll than to discover problems after January 1.

How to disenroll from your current plan

You do not need to contact your current plan to leave — straightforward enrolling in a new plan automatically disenrolls you from the old one, effective December 31. However, you will receive a disenrollment notice in the mail confirming the change. Read it to make sure the dates and plan names are correct.

If you change your mind after enrolling in a new plan, you have until December 31 to switch again — but only to another plan, not back to your original one. If you want to return to your old plan, you must wait until the next October enrollment period. This is why it is important to be certain about your choice before you enroll.

Keep your old plan's member ID and any paperwork until you receive your new plan's ID card and materials. If there is a gap in coverage or a billing problem, you may need to reference your old plan's information.

Using Medicare.gov and other resources to compare plans

Medicare.gov has a plan comparison tool that shows you all available plans in your area side by side. Go to Medicare.gov, click "Find Care Providers and Suppliers," and select "Compare Medicare Advantage Plans." Enter your zip code, and the tool will list every plan available to you, along with premiums, deductibles, copays, and star ratings.

The star ratings reflect how other members rate each plan on quality, customer service, and drug coverage. Plans with four or five stars generally have better reviews, though a three-star plan may still be right for you if it has your doctors and drugs covered. Read the ratings but do not rely on them alone.

You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE to speak with a counselor who can answer questions about specific plans. Many states also have State Health Insurance information Programs (SHIPs) that offer free, one-on-one counseling about Medicare plans. Search "SHIP" plus your state name to find your local program's phone number.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, not until the next October. If you enroll in a new plan during the Annual Enrollment Period, you are locked into it through December 31. You can switch to a different plan before December 31, but you cannot return to your old plan. This is why it is critical to review your new plan carefully before enrolling.

What happens if I miss the December 7 important date?

If you enroll after December 7, your new plan will not start until January 1 of the following year. You will remain in your current plan through the end of that year. You can still enroll in a new plan, but the effective date will be pushed forward 12 months.

Do I have to enroll in a new plan if my current plan is leaving Medicare?

If your plan is discontinuing, Medicare will send you a notice. You must choose a new plan before your current one ends, or you will lose coverage. You have until the date your old plan ends to enroll in a new one — this is considered a may have access to event, so you can switch outside the normal enrollment period.

Will my prescriptions be covered under my new plan?

Only if they are on your new plan's formulary. Check the formulary before you enroll by searching for each medication by name. If a drug is not listed, contact the plan to ask whether a similar medication is covered or whether you can request an exception.

Can I switch plans if I move to a different state?

Yes, if your new state is outside your current plan's service area. Moving is a may have access to life event, so you have 60 days from your move date to enroll in a new plan. You will need to show proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease.