Changing Medicare Coverage

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

Annual Enrollment Period is October 15 to December 7 every year. During this time individuals may join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or a prescription drug plan (Part D).

JAN ... OCT NOV DEC
 
OCT 15 - DEC 7

Open Enrollment Period (OEP)

Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage (Part C) is January 1 to March 31 each year. During this time, individuals with Medicare Advantage plans are allowed to make a single change to their coverage. They can choose to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or drop their plan and be automatically switched to Original Medicare (Parts A & B). Those who choose to drop their plan have the opportunity to add a standalone prescription drug (Part D) plan, a Medicare supplement (Medigap) plan or both.

JAN FEB MAR ... DEC
 
JAN 1 - MAR 31

Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

Individuals may join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage plan or a prescription drug plan outside of Medicare Open Enrollment if they have a qualifying event, such as moving or losing other health insurance. In general, individuals have 2 months after the month of a qualifying event to make plan changes.

1 2
 
 & 
Medicare: Changing Coverage