Switching Medicare Plans

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period

You can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug plan during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). AEP is October 15 to December 7. Since it's the same time every year, you always know exactly how many shopping days you have until you can add or switch coverage during AEP.

Special Enrollment Period

Certain life changes let you change or add coverage outside your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) or AEP. This period of time is called a Special Enrollment or Special Election Period (SEP). For example, if you move out of a plan's service area you qualify for an SEP so you can enroll in a plan available in your new area.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, be sure you understand the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP). The MA OEP lets you make a one-time election to leave a Medicare Advantage plan, switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or go back to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) with or without a Part D plan. You can also take advantage of the MA OEP if you're newly eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B. You can do this from January 1 through March 31, 2022.

If you choose to go back to Original Medicare, you have until March 31, 2022 to enroll in a Part D plan if you leave a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage and won't have prescription drug coverage with your new Medicare Advantage plan.