Medicare Open Enrollment: A Time for Choices
Each year from October 15 to December 7, Medicare offers an Open Enrollment period during which beneficiaries can review coverage options — including Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and prescription drug plans — and make changes as appropriate (see chart). If you’re satisfied with your current coverage, you don’t need to take action; you will be renewed with the same coverage. But this is a good time to examine any changes in your plan for the coming year and explore your options.
Review your coverage
Before enrollment begins, you should receive two documents from your plan: (1) an Annual Notice of Change that lists changes to your plan’s coverage, costs, or service area that will take effect in January; and (2) a comprehensive Evidence of Coverage document that includes detailed information on the plan’s benefits, how the plan works, and your rights and responsibilities. Reviewing these documents should help you decide whether your current plan is appropriate and cost-effective for your needs.
If you’re interested in a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare prescription drug plan, you can use the plan finder at medicare.gov/plan-compare to see which plans are available in your area and check their quality ratings. For personalized information, you can log in or create an account (if you have a Medicare number) to compare your plan to others and see prescription drug costs.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan and are unhappy with your choice, you have an opportunity to make one change from January 1 to March 31. During this time, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without prescription drug coverage) or drop the Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare, with the option to enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan.
Shifting Coverage
Medicare beneficiaries can make the following changes during annual Open Enrollment, with changes effective January 1:
- Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan or from an MA plan to Original Medicare
- Switch from one MA plan to another MA plan
- Join a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, switch from one Part D plan to another, or drop Medicare prescription drug coverage completely
Caution: Although you can change from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare during an Open Enrollment period, you may not be able to obtain a supplemental Medigap plan without medical underwriting. Medigap plans are often paired with Original Medicare (which has no out-of-pocket maximum) to limit out-of-pocket expenses. You may have “guaranteed issue rights” to enroll in a Medigap plan without underwriting if you return to Original Medicare within 12 months of signing up for a Medicare Advantage Plan when you were first eligible for Medicare or if the Medicare Advantage Plan stops serving your area.
In addition to Open Enrollment periods, there are Special Enrollment periods for certain life events, such as moving to a new address or losing another form of coverage.
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