You can change your Medicare plan once a year during the annual open enrollment period, or when ready if a life event qualifies you for a special enrollment period
Medicare lets you switch plans, but only during specific windows. The main window is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs October 15 to December 7 each year. During these dates, you can move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, switch from one Advantage plan to another, add or drop prescription drug coverage, or change Medigap policies. Outside this window, you cannot change unless a may have access to life event — such as losing employer coverage, moving to a new state, or experiencing a major change in income — opens a special enrollment period just for you.
The timing matters because your new coverage starts on January 1 following the year you make the change. If you miss the October 15 to December 7 window and have no may have access to event, you are locked into your current plan for the rest of that calendar year. Knowing which window applies to you and what documents you will need prevents costly delays and gaps.
Key Takeaways
- The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7 each year, and any Medicare beneficiary can change plans during this time without a reason.
- If you experience a may have access to life event — such as losing coverage, moving, or a major income change — you may open a special enrollment period outside the annual window.
- You must report a may have access to event to Medicare within 60 days to start a special enrollment period; after 60 days, you must wait for the next Annual Enrollment Period.
- Your new plan coverage begins January 1 of the following year, so changes made in October, November, or December take effect the next January.
- You can change plans by calling Medicare, visiting Medicare.gov, or working with a licensed insurance agent or counselor.
What counts as a may have access to life event for an when ready change
A may have access to life event lets you change plans outside the annual window. Medicare recognizes these situations: losing health coverage (from an employer, union, or government program); moving to a new state or service area where your current plan no longer operates; a significant change in your income or household size; becoming may be able to access for Medicaid or losing Medicaid; getting married or divorced; or being admitted to a nursing home or long-term care facility. Death of a spouse also qualifies the surviving spouse to make changes.
The key rule is the 60-day window. You must report the may have access to event to Medicare within 60 days of the event occurring. If you wait longer, you lose the right to change plans until the next Annual Enrollment Period. For example, if you move on March 15, you have until May 14 to notify Medicare. After that important date passes, you cannot switch until October 15.
Some life events are straightforward to document — a new address, a marriage certificate, a termination letter from an employer. Others require more proof. If your income dropped, you may need recent tax returns or a letter from your employer showing reduced hours. If you became newly may be able to access for Medicaid, bring your Medicaid approval letter. Keep these documents ready before you contact Medicare.
How to report a change during the Annual Enrollment Period
During October 15 to December 7, you have three main routes: call Medicare directly, visit Medicare.gov online, or work with a licensed agent or counselor. Calling Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE, or 1-800-633-4227) is often the fastest if you know which plan you want to switch to. Have your current Medicare card and the plan name or number of the plan you are moving to. The call typically takes 15 to 30 minutes, and Medicare will confirm your new coverage and mail you an updated card.
If you prefer to handle it yourself online, go to Medicare.gov, sign in with your username and password, and select "Change Plans" from your account dashboard. The site walks you through available plans in your area, shows you the monthly premium, deductible, and covered drugs for each option, and lets you compare side by side. You can complete the entire change without speaking to anyone, though you will receive a confirmation letter by mail within two weeks.
A third option is to work with a licensed Medicare counselor or insurance agent. Many local Area Agencies on Aging offer free counseling during open enrollment. Agents can also help, though some earn commission on sales — ask upfront whether they are paid by the plan or work independently. Counselors and agents can explain the differences between plans, help you understand your out-of-pocket costs, and handle the paperwork for you.
Reporting a may have access to life event to Medicare
If you have a may have access to life event, you must notify Medicare within 60 days. Call 1-800-MEDICARE and tell them what happened — for example, "I moved to a new state" or "I lost my employer coverage." Have your Medicare card and the date the event occurred. Medicare will ask for proof, which you can mail, fax, or upload depending on the event. A move requires a new address or utility bill. Loss of coverage needs a termination letter from your employer or the plan. A marriage needs a marriage certificate.
Once Medicare receives and verifies your may have access to event, they will send you a letter confirming your special enrollment period. This letter will say how long you have to make a change — usually 60 days from the date Medicare approved your event. You then have that window to switch plans using the same three methods: phone, online, or with an agent. Your new coverage will start on the first of the month following the month you make the change, or on the first of the following month if you change after the 15th of the current month.
Comparing plans before you switch
Before you commit to a new plan, compare what you will actually pay. Look at three numbers: the monthly premium (what you pay every month), the annual deductible (what you pay out of pocket before the plan starts paying), and your out-of-pocket maximum (the most you will pay in a year). A plan with a lower premium might have a higher deductible, so the total cost depends on how much medical care you use.
If you take prescription drugs, check the formulary — the list of covered medications — for each plan you are considering. A plan might look cheaper until you realize it does not cover one of your regular medications, or covers it only at a higher cost tier. Medicare.gov has a tool called "Find Care Providers" that lets you search whether your current doctors are in-network for each plan. Switching to a plan where your doctor is out-of-network can mean higher costs or the need to find a new provider.
For Original Medicare with a Medigap policy, compare the Medigap plans available in your area. Medigap plans are standardized — a Plan G from one insurer covers the same things as a Plan G from another — so you are mainly comparing price. For Medicare Advantage, plans vary more widely in their benefits, so read the Summary of Benefits document for each plan you are considering.
What happens after you make the change
Once you submit your change, Medicare will send you a confirmation letter within two weeks. This letter will state your new plan name, your new member ID number, and your coverage start date (January 1 of the following year for Annual Enrollment Period changes, or the first of a month for special enrollment period changes). Your old plan coverage ends on December 31 of the current year, or on the last day of the month before your new plan starts.
Your new insurance company will mail you a new member card before your coverage begins. Do not throw away your old card until you receive the new one and confirm the new plan is active. If you have prescriptions that need refilling before your new plan starts, ask your pharmacy whether they can fill them under your current plan. Some pharmacies will hold a prescription for a few days if your coverage is about to change.
If you change your mind within a certain window, you may be able to switch again. If you made a change during the Annual Enrollment Period and realize it was a mistake, you have until January 31 of the new year to switch to a different plan. This is called the "Open Enrollment Period Disenrollment Period." After January 31, you are locked in until the next Annual Enrollment Period unless another may have access to life event occurs.
When you cannot change your plan
Outside the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) and special enrollment periods triggered by may have access to life events, Medicare does not allow plan changes. If you are unhappy with your current plan in February, you cannot switch until October 15. This is why timing your change during the annual window is important — it is your one may provide opportunity each year.
The only exception is if you are in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to switch back to Original Medicare. You can do this during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which runs January 1 to March 31 each year. This window is separate from the Annual Enrollment Period and applies only to people already in Advantage plans. If you switch back to Original Medicare during this window, you can also add a Medigap policy without medical underwriting, even if you have pre-existing conditions.
Getting help with your plan change
Free counseling is available through the State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP), which operates in every state under different names. SHIP counselors are trained, unbiased, and do not earn commission. They can explain your options, compare plans, and help you understand costs. Find your state's SHIP by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or visiting the SHIP locator on Medicare.gov.
Your local Area Agency on Aging also offers free Medicare counseling, especially during open enrollment. Many agencies set up in-person sessions in October and November where you can bring your current plan documents and walk through your options with a counselor. Some agencies also offer phone or video counseling if you cannot attend in person.
If you work with an insurance agent, make sure they are licensed in your state and ask whether they are an independent agent or work for a specific insurance company. Independent agents can show you plans from multiple insurers; company agents show only their employer's plans. Ask upfront how they are paid — by commission, salary, or a combination. This does not mean you should avoid them, but you should know where their incentives lie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change plans more than once a year?
Only if you have a may have access to life event that opens a special enrollment period. During the regular Annual Enrollment Period, you can make one change. If you change your mind after submitting your change during open enrollment, you have until January 31 to switch again. Outside these windows, you are locked in for the year.
What if I move to a different state?
Moving to a new state is a may have access to life event. You have 60 days from your move date to report it to Medicare. Your new state may have different plans available, and your current plan may not operate there. Contact Medicare within 60 days so you can switch to a plan that serves your new location before your old coverage ends.
Do I lose coverage if I miss the important date to change plans?
No. Your current plan continues until you successfully switch to a new one. However, if you miss the Annual Enrollment Period and have no may have access to life event, you cannot change plans until October 15 of the next year. Your coverage does not end, but you remain in your current plan for the rest of the calendar year.
Can I switch back to my old plan if I do not like the new one?
If you changed during the Annual Enrollment Period, you can switch to a different plan (including your old one) until January 31. After January 31, you are locked in until the next Annual Enrollment Period. If you changed due to a may have access to life event, you typically cannot switch again until the next Annual Enrollment Period.
What if my doctor is not in my new plan's network?
Before you finalize your change, use Medicare.gov's "Find Care Providers" tool to check whether your doctors are in-network for the new plan. If your main doctor is out-of-network, you will pay more or need to find a new provider. If this is a dealbreaker, choose a different plan during your enrollment window. Once your new plan starts on January 1, switching again requires waiting until October 15.