How to Change Your Medicare Plan During Open Enrollment

When and how you can switch Medicare plans

You can change your Medicare plan once a year during Open Enrollment, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. The changes take effect on January 1 of the following year. Outside this window, you can only switch if you have a may have access to life event — such as losing employer coverage, moving to a new state, or having a major change in income — which gives you a 60-day window to make changes.

If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or a prescription drug plan (Part D), you have the right to return to Original Medicare during Open Enrollment. If you are in Original Medicare, you can join a Medicare Advantage plan or add a prescription drug plan. The process differs slightly depending on which direction you are moving.

You do not need permission from your current plan to leave, and there is no penalty for switching. Your new coverage begins on January 1 if you change during Open Enrollment, or on the first of the month following your may have access to event if you change outside the window.

Key Takeaways

Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7 each year, and changes take effect January 1.
You can change plans outside Open Enrollment only if you have a may have access to life event such as moving, losing coverage, or a major income change.
You can switch through Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or with help from a State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP) counselor.
Compare plans based on your doctors, hospitals, and medications — not just the monthly premium.
Your current plan must cover you through December 31, even after you have chosen a new plan.

Steps to change your plan during Open Enrollment

Start by gathering information about your current coverage: your plan name, your doctors and specialists, your regular medications, and the pharmacies you use. Then visit Medicare.gov, click "Find Care Providers" or "Compare Plans," and enter your information. The site will show you all available plans in your area, along with your out-of-pocket costs for each one based on your actual medications and providers.

Once you have found a plan that works for you, you can enroll directly through Medicare.gov, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or by contacting the plan itself. If you enroll online, the process takes about 10 minutes. If you call, a representative will walk you through your options. You will receive a confirmation letter in the mail within two weeks.

Do not wait until December 7 to enroll. The important date is firm, and there is no extension. If you miss it and do not have a may have access to life event, you will be locked into your current plan for another year.

What to compare when choosing a new plan

The monthly premium is only one piece of the picture. Look at the deductible (the amount you pay before the plan starts paying), copayments (fixed amounts you pay per visit or prescription), and coinsurance (your percentage of the cost). Add these up for the medications and doctors you actually use, not hypothetical ones.

Check whether your doctors and hospitals are in the plan's network. Call the offices directly if the plan's website is unclear — networks change, and a doctor listed as "in-network" may have restrictions on which services they cover. For prescription drugs, search for each medication you take on the plan's formulary (the list of covered drugs) to confirm it is covered and at what tier, which determines your cost.

If you use specialists or have ongoing treatment, ask whether you need a referral and whether the plan covers out-of-network care if your specialist is not in-network. Some Medicare Advantage plans have lower premiums but narrower networks; Original Medicare has no network restrictions but higher out-of-pocket costs for some services.

Changing from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare

If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to return to Original Medicare, you can do so during Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7) or during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31). During the January-to-March window, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or to Original Medicare, but you cannot join a prescription drug plan — you must do that during the October-to-December window.

To switch, contact your current plan, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or go to Medicare.gov and select "Disenroll." Your coverage will end on the last day of the month in which you request the change, and your Original Medicare coverage begins the first day of the next month. You will need to join a prescription drug plan separately if you want one, and you must do so during Open Enrollment or within 63 days of losing your current coverage to avoid a late-enrollment penalty.

Changing from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan

If you are in Original Medicare and want to join a Medicare Advantage plan, you can do so during Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7) or during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31). You do not need to disenroll from Original Medicare first — your new Medicare Advantage plan will automatically replace it on January 1 or the first of the month after your may have access to event.

Before you switch, understand that Medicare Advantage plans often have networks, referral requirements, and prior authorization rules that Original Medicare does not. If you have a chronic condition or see multiple specialists, confirm that your doctors and hospitals are in the plan and that your current treatment plan will be covered. Some plans require you to change primary care doctors if yours is not in-network.

Getting help with your decision

If you are unsure which plan is right for you, contact your State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP). SHIP counselors are free, trained, and independent — they do not work for Medicare or any insurance company. They can review your current coverage, compare plans based on your specific situation, and help you enroll. Find your state's SHIP by visiting shiptalk.org or calling 1-800-MEDICARE and asking for the number.

You can also speak with a Medicare counselor by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE. Have your current insurance card, a list of your medications, and a list of your doctors handy when you call. The call is free and may take 20 to 30 minutes, but it can save you hundreds of dollars a year in out-of-pocket costs.

What happens after you enroll in a new plan

You will receive a confirmation letter from Medicare within two weeks of enrolling, followed by a welcome packet from your new plan. Your new coverage begins on January 1 (if you changed during Open Enrollment) or on the first of the month following your may have access to event. Your old plan must continue to cover you through the end of the month in which your new coverage begins.

Do not cancel your old plan yourself — it will end automatically. If you have prescriptions filled under your old plan's pharmacy benefits after your new coverage begins, you may have to pay out of pocket and request reimbursement. To avoid this, time any refills to end before January 1 or after your new plan's coverage begins.

Review your new plan's welcome materials carefully, including the provider directory and formulary. If you notice an error — such as a doctor listed as in-network who is not, or a medication not covered as promised — contact the plan when ready. You have 60 days from the date your coverage begins to request a coverage information or file a complaint if the plan is not delivering what was promised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change plans more than once during Open Enrollment?

Yes. You can change your mind and switch to a different plan as many times as you want between October 15 and December 7. Only your final selection will take effect on January 1. However, once January 1 arrives, you are locked into that plan until the next Open Enrollment, unless you have a may have access to life event.

What counts as a may have access to life event?

may have access to events include moving to a new state or county, losing employer or union coverage, having a major change in income, becoming may be able to access for Medicaid or losing Medicaid, getting married or divorced, and having a death in your household. You have 60 days from the event to make changes. Contact 1-800-MEDICARE to report the event and confirm you are may be able to access to change plans outside Open Enrollment.

Will I be penalized if I drop my prescription drug plan?

If you go without prescription drug coverage for 63 days or more, you will pay a permanent late-enrollment penalty on top of your plan premium for as long as you have Medicare. The penalty is about 1% of the national average premium per month without coverage. If you are dropping your current plan, join a new one during Open Enrollment or within 63 days to avoid the penalty.

Can my new plan deny me coverage because of a pre-existing condition?

No. Medicare plans cannot deny you coverage or charge you more because of a pre-existing condition. However, some plans may have waiting periods for certain services, such as dental or vision, so check the plan's materials before enrolling if these services matter to you.

What if I realize my new plan does not cover my doctor?

If you discover after enrolling that your doctor is not in-network or is no longer accepting your plan, contact your new plan when ready and ask about coverage options. You may be able to request an exception to use an out-of-network provider, or you may have grounds to disenroll and switch to a different plan outside the normal Open Enrollment window. Document the issue in writing and keep records of your calls.

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.