You can change your Medicare Advantage plan during specific windows each year, and the rules depend on whether you're making your first choice or switching from a plan you already have.
Medicare sets three main periods when you can change plans. The largest is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year — any Medicare Advantage member can switch during this time. If you're new to Medicare, you get an Initial Enrollment Period tied to when you turn 65 or become may be able to access. Outside these windows, you can only switch if a specific life event happens or if you move to a different service area.
The timing matters because your new plan's coverage starts on January 1 if you switch during AEP, but it can start sooner if you change plans outside the regular enrollment window. Understanding which window applies to you prevents you from missing a important date or being locked into a plan you don't want for a full year.
Key Takeaways
- The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7 each year, and any Medicare Advantage member can switch plans during this time.
- If you're new to Medicare, your Initial Enrollment Period lasts three months before and after the month you turn 65, giving you a seven-month window to choose your first plan.
- You can switch plans outside regular enrollment periods only if you experience a may have access to life event, such as moving, losing employer coverage, or becoming may be able to access for Medicaid.
- Changes made during AEP take effect January 1, but changes made during other periods may start sooner depending on when you submit your request.
- If you miss your enrollment window and have no may have access to event, you cannot change plans until the next AEP, so marking your calendar matters.
The Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 to December 7
Every year, Medicare Advantage members can switch plans during AEP without needing a reason. This is the main window, and it applies to anyone already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. You can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, drop your current plan and join Original Medicare with a Medigap or Part D plan, or make other changes to your coverage.
Any change you make during AEP takes effect on January 1 of the following year. This means if you switch on October 20, your new plan coverage begins January 1. Your old plan ends on December 31. You'll receive your new plan's insurance card and materials before the year changes, so you have time to review what doctors and pharmacies are in your network.
AEP is the only time most people can switch without a documented reason. If you miss this window and have no may have access to event, you're locked into your current plan until next October 15. This is why setting a reminder in early October can save you from being stuck with a plan you're unhappy with for an entire year.
Initial Enrollment Period: Your First Three Months with Medicare
When you first become may be able to access for Medicare — usually at age 65 — you get a seven-month window to choose your plan. This Initial Enrollment Period starts three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after. For example, if you turn 65 in June, your window opens in March and closes in September.
During this period, you can choose your first Medicare Advantage plan, switch between plans, or delay enrollment without penalty. If you don't choose a plan during this window and you don't have other coverage like an employer plan, you may owe a late enrollment penalty when you do join — a permanent increase to your premiums.
Your coverage starts on the first day of the month you turn 65 if you enroll before that month ends. If you enroll after your birthday month, coverage typically starts the first of the following month. Contact Medicare or your plan directly to confirm your start date, because it varies slightly by enrollment date.
may have access to Life Events That Allow Mid-Year Switches
Outside AEP and your Initial Enrollment Period, you can switch plans if you experience a may have access to event. Medicare calls this a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Common may have access to events include moving to a new state or county where your current plan doesn't operate, losing employer or union coverage, becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid, or having a change in your household income that affects your costs.
Other may have access to events include being released from incarceration, gaining U.S. citizenship, or having a family member move into or out of your home. If your plan leaves the Medicare program or stops serving your area, Medicare automatically notifies you and gives you time to switch. Some plans also offer limited windows if you're unhappy with your coverage — ask your plan directly whether it offers a trial period.
When you experience a may have access to event, you typically have 60 days to make a change. Your new coverage can start as early as the first of the month following your request, depending on when you submit it. You'll need to document your may have access to event — for example, a lease or utility bill showing your new address, or a notice from your employer that coverage ended.
How to Make a Change During Your Enrollment Window
You have three main ways to switch plans: through Medicare.gov, by phone, or by mail. The fastest method is usually Medicare.gov, where you can compare plans side by side, see which doctors and pharmacies are in each network, and check what your out-of-pocket costs would be. You can enroll directly through the website during any open enrollment period.
If you prefer to speak with someone, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Representatives can walk you through your options, answer questions about specific plans, and process your enrollment over the phone. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. You can also contact your current plan directly — they can tell you about other plans available in your area and help you switch.
By mail, you can request an enrollment form from Medicare or your current plan and return it by the enrollment important date. Mail takes longer, so if you're close to a important date, use the website or phone instead. Keep a record of when you submitted your request and which plan you chose — you'll receive a confirmation, and your new plan will send you an insurance card before your coverage starts.
What Happens If You Miss Your Enrollment Window
If you don't change your plan during AEP or your Initial Enrollment Period and you don't have a may have access to event, you cannot switch plans until the next AEP. This means you're locked into your current plan for the rest of the year, even if you find a plan with lower costs or better coverage for your doctors.
The exception is a may have access to life event. If you move, lose coverage, or experience another may have access to circumstance, contact Medicare when ready to ask about a Special Enrollment Period. You have a limited window — usually 60 days — to request the change, so don't wait. If you're unsure whether your situation qualifies, call Medicare and ask. It's better to ask than to assume you can't switch.
If you're unhappy with your plan but have no may have access to event and missed AEP, some plans offer a limited trial period where you can switch within the first few months of enrollment. Ask your plan whether this option is available to you. Otherwise, mark your calendar for October 15 of the following year so you don't miss AEP again.
Important Dates to Mark on Your Calendar
| Enrollment Period | Dates | Who Can Enroll | When Coverage Starts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) | October 15 – December 7 | Anyone with Medicare Advantage | January 1 |
| Initial Enrollment Period | 3 months before to 3 months after you turn 65 | People new to Medicare | Month you turn 65 or following month |
| Special Enrollment Period (SEP) | 60 days from may have access to event | People with a may have access to life event | First of month after request |
Write down the start and end dates of AEP on your calendar each year. If you're new to Medicare, calculate your Initial Enrollment Period based on your birth month and set reminders for three months before you turn 65. If you experience a may have access to event, note the date it happened — you'll need to know when the 60-day window closes.
Many people find it helpful to set phone reminders on their devices for early October, so they have time to research plans before AEP begins on October 15. If you work with a family member or caregiver to manage your healthcare, share these dates with them so they can help you remember the important date.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor and Plan
Before you switch plans, contact your current doctor's office and ask whether they're in the network of the new plan you're considering. Ask the same question about any specialists you see regularly. Plans change their networks every year, so even if a doctor was in your plan last year, confirm they're in the new plan for the coming year.
Ask your pharmacy whether it's in the new plan's network and what your copay would be for your regular medications. Some plans have different copays for different tiers of drugs, so the cost of your specific medications matters more than the plan's general drug coverage. If you take multiple medications, ask about the total cost under the new plan's formulary.
Ask your current plan whether it offers a trial period if you enroll and then change your mind. Some plans allow you to switch back within a set timeframe — usually 30 to 60 days — if you're not satisfied. Knowing this option exists can reduce the stress of making a change.
When to Seek Help Making Your Decision
If you're overwhelmed by plan options, contact your State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP). SHIP is a free counseling service funded by Medicare, and counselors can review your specific situation, compare plans based on your doctors and medications, and explain the differences between options. Find your state's SHIP by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or visiting shiptalk.org.
You can also ask Medicare directly. Call 1-800-MEDICARE during business hours and ask to speak with someone about switching plans. They can walk you through your options and answer questions about costs, coverage, and enrollment important date. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, TTY services are available at 1-877-486-2048.
If you're having trouble affording your plan or medications, ask whether you may have access to for Extra Help (for prescription drug costs) or the Medicare Savings Program (for premiums and out-of-pocket costs). These programs are separate from plan switching, but they can lower your costs significantly. Your plan or local social services office can tell you how the process works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch plans more than once during the Annual Enrollment Period?
Yes. You can change your mind and switch again as long as you submit your request before December 7. However, only your final request counts — if you switch to Plan A and then to Plan B, you'll be enrolled in Plan B starting January 1. Medicare processes only the last change you make during the enrollment period.
What if my plan is leaving Medicare or no longer serves my area?
Medicare notifies members when a plan is discontinuing service, and you automatically get a Special Enrollment Period to switch. You'll receive a letter explaining your options and the important date for switching. You don't need to prove a may have access to event — the plan's departure is the may have access to event itself.
Do I have to switch plans if I move to a different state?
It depends on whether your current plan operates in your new state. If it does, you can stay. If it doesn't, you must switch to a plan available in your new location. Moving is a may have access to event, so you have 60 days from your move to select a new plan. Contact your current plan to confirm whether it serves your new address.
Can I switch back to my old plan if I don't like the new one?
If you switch during AEP, you cannot switch back until the next AEP unless you have a may have access to event. Some plans offer a limited trial period (usually 30 to 60 days) where you can return to your old plan if you change your mind. Ask your new plan whether this option applies to you before you enroll.
What happens to my prescriptions if I switch plans mid-year?
Your new plan's formulary (list of covered drugs) may be different from your old plan's. Before you switch, check whether your medications are covered and at what cost. If your new plan doesn't cover a medication you need, ask your doctor whether there's a similar drug on the new plan's formulary, or contact the new plan about an exception request.