Medicare has set windows during the year when you can switch plans, and missing them usually means waiting until next year

You can change Medicare plans during Open Enrollment, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Any changes you make during this window take effect on January 1 of the following year. This is the main period when Medicare lets you switch from one plan to another without a penalty or waiting period.

Outside of Open Enrollment, you can only change plans if you have a may have access to life event — a major change in your circumstances that Medicare recognizes as a reason to make an exception. These events include losing employer coverage, moving to a different state, getting married or divorced, or becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid. You have 60 days from the date of the event to make your change.

If you miss Open Enrollment and do not have a may have access to event, you are locked into your current plan until the next October 15. There is no way around this, and no appeals process that will override it.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 each year, and any plan changes take effect January 1.
  • You can change plans outside Open Enrollment only if you have a may have access to life event, and you have 60 days from that event to make the switch.
  • may have access to events include losing employer coverage, moving states, getting married or divorced, and becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid.
  • If you miss Open Enrollment and have no may have access to event, you cannot change plans until the following October.
  • You should review your plan each year during Open Enrollment because your costs and coverage may change even if you keep the same plan.

Open Enrollment: October 15 to December 7

Open Enrollment is the may provide window when you can change any part of your Medicare coverage. You can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, move between different Advantage plans, change your prescription drug coverage, or add a Medigap supplement. No reason is required, and no may have access to event is necessary.

The important date is December 7 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. Changes made by this date take effect on January 1. If you call or submit your request after December 7, you will have to wait until the next Open Enrollment period to make a change.

Even if you are happy with your current plan, Open Enrollment is a good time to review your coverage. Insurance companies change their premiums, deductibles, and drug formularies every year, so your costs may go up even if you do nothing. Spending an hour comparing your current plan to other options can save you hundreds of dollars annually.

may have access to Life Events That Let You Change Plans Outside Open Enrollment

If you experience certain major life changes, Medicare allows you to change plans at any time of year. You have 60 days from the date of the event to make your change, and the new plan takes effect the first day of the month after you enroll.

The most common may have access to events are:

  • Losing health coverage through an employer or union (including retirement from a job that provided coverage)
  • Moving to a different state or county where your current plan does not operate
  • Getting married or entering into a domestic partnership
  • Getting divorced or ending a domestic partnership
  • Becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid or losing Medicaid coverage
  • Becoming newly may be able to access for Extra Help (a program that pays Medicare prescription drug costs)
  • A change in your Medicaid status
  • Becoming a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident

When you report a may have access to event, Medicare will ask you to provide proof — such as a letter from your former employer, a divorce decree, or a Medicaid may be able to access notice. Keep these documents handy so you can submit them quickly.

How to Make a Change During Open Enrollment

You have three main ways to change your plan during Open Enrollment: online, by phone, or in person.

Online: Visit Medicare.gov and log into your account. You can compare plans side by side, see your out-of-pocket costs for different options, and enroll directly. The website shows you plans available in your area and tells you which doctors and pharmacies are in each plan's network.

By phone: Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). A representative can walk you through your options, answer questions about coverage, and enroll you over the phone. The line is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time, seven days a week, from October 1 through December 31.

In person: Visit your local Senior Center, library, or Area Agency on Aging. Many offer free counseling during Open Enrollment. You can also work with a licensed insurance agent, though be aware that some agents earn commissions and may steer you toward certain plans.

What Happens If You Miss the important date

If December 7 passes and you have not made a change, you are locked into your current plan for the entire year. You cannot switch to a different plan, add or drop coverage, or make any changes until the next Open Enrollment period in October — unless you experience a may have access to life event.

The only exception is if you are newly may be able to access for Medicare. If you turn 65 or become may be able to access due to disability or end-stage renal disease, you have a special enrollment window of seven months to choose your plan without penalty. This window is separate from Open Enrollment and applies only to people new to Medicare.

If you realize after January 1 that you chose the wrong plan, you will have to wait until October 15 to make a change. This is why reviewing your options carefully before December 7 is so important.

Special Enrollment Periods for Specific Situations

In addition to the main Open Enrollment period and may have access to life events, Medicare recognizes a few other situations that allow you to change plans outside the normal window.

If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan and you become dissatisfied with your care, you may be able to switch to Original Medicare during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which runs January 1 to March 31 each year. This window is only for people already in an Advantage plan; you cannot use it to switch between two Advantage plans.

If you are in Original Medicare and you want to switch to a Medigap plan, you have a six-month window from the date you first enroll in Medicare Part B. During this time, insurance companies cannot deny you coverage or charge you more based on pre-existing conditions. After this window closes, you may face higher premiums or coverage denials if you have health problems.

If you lose coverage through an employer and that employer had 20 or more employees, you may have rights under federal law to continue your employer coverage for a limited time. This is called COBRA, and it is separate from Medicare. Understanding whether COBRA or Medicare is the better choice for your situation is worth discussing with a counselor at your Area Agency on Aging.

How to Prepare for Open Enrollment

Start preparing in September, before Open Enrollment begins. Gather your current insurance card, a list of the medications you take, and the names of the doctors you see regularly. Write down which pharmacy you use most often.

Visit Medicare.gov and use the Plan Finder tool. Enter your medications and doctors, and the tool will show you which plans cover them and what your costs will be. Compare the monthly premium, annual deductible, copays for doctor visits, and out-of-pocket maximum across at least three plans.

If you are unsure how to use the website or need help understanding your options, contact your State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP). SHIP offers free counseling to Medicare beneficiaries, and counselors can walk you through the comparison process by phone or in person. You can find your state's SHIP by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or visiting the Medicare website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change plans more than once during Open Enrollment?

Yes. You can change your mind as many times as you want during Open Enrollment. Only your final enrollment counts, and it takes effect on January 1. If you enroll in one plan on November 1 and then change your mind and enroll in a different plan on December 5, the December 5 enrollment is the one that takes effect.

What counts as a may have access to life event?

may have access to events include losing employer coverage, moving to a different state, getting married or divorced, becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid, and becoming a U.S. citizen. You will need to provide proof of the event, such as a letter from your employer or a divorce decree. Medicare's website lists all may have access to events in detail.

If I change plans in November, when does my new plan start?

Any plan change made during Open Enrollment takes effect on January 1, regardless of when you enroll. Your old plan ends on December 31, and your new plan begins on January 1. Make sure you have your new insurance card before January 1 so you can use it at your first appointment of the year.

Can I appeal if I miss the Open Enrollment important date?

No. Missing the important date is not grounds for an appeal, and there is no exception process. The only way to change plans outside Open Enrollment is to have a may have access to life event. If you have questions about whether your situation qualifies, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to ask.

What if my doctor leaves my plan's network after I enroll?

If your primary care doctor or a specialist you see regularly leaves your plan's network, you may be able to request a special enrollment period to switch plans. Contact your plan directly to ask whether this situation qualifies. Some plans will allow you to switch; others will not.