Yes, you can change Medicare Advantage plans, but only during specific windows in the year

You are not locked into your Medicare Advantage plan for life. You can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, switch to Original Medicare with a Medigap policy, or switch to Original Medicare with a Part D plan. The catch is that Medicare sets strict dates when you can make these changes. Outside those windows, you cannot switch — with a few exceptions for people in specific situations.

The main switching period is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Any change you make during AEP takes effect on January 1. There are also shorter windows for people who have had a major life change or who move to a new service area.

Key Takeaways

  • The Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) is when most people can switch plans, and changes take effect January 1.
  • If you move to a new county or state, you may be able to switch outside the annual window, but you must act within 60 days of the move.
  • Losing employer coverage, becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid, or having a death in your family are examples of life changes that open a 60-day switching window.
  • You cannot switch back to a plan you dropped unless you are in an open enrollment period, so choose carefully before you leave a plan.
  • Your new plan's coverage starts on the first day of the month after you enroll, or January 1 if you enroll during the annual period.

The Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 to December 7

Every year, Medicare opens a seven-week window when you can change plans without giving a reason. This is the Annual Enrollment Period, and it is the easiest time to switch. You can move from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, drop Medicare Advantage and move to Original Medicare with a Medigap policy, or switch to Original Medicare with a Part D prescription drug plan.

Any plan change you make between October 15 and December 7 takes effect on January 1 of the following year. This means if you enroll in a new plan on November 1, your coverage switches on January 1. Your old plan ends on December 31. During this gap, you are still covered by your old plan, so there is no period where you have no coverage.

You can enroll online at Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or in person at a local Social Security office. You do not need to contact your current plan to leave it — Medicare handles the switch automatically.

Moving to a New County or State

If you move, your current Medicare Advantage plan may no longer serve your new address. Medicare Advantage plans have service areas, and they do not cover people who live outside those areas. When you move, you have 60 days to switch plans.

Check whether your current plan covers your new address before you move. You can search by ZIP code on Medicare.gov. If your plan does not cover your new area, you must switch. If it does cover your new area, you can stay if you want to, but you also have the right to switch during the 60-day window if you prefer a different plan.

The 60 days start on the date you move, not the date you notify Medicare. Keep proof of your move — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated after your move — because Medicare may ask for it. Your new plan's coverage begins on the first day of the month after you enroll, or the first day of the month after the 60 days end, whichever comes first.

Life Changes That Open a Switching Window

Certain major life events give you a 60-day window to switch plans outside the annual enrollment period. These events include losing employer-sponsored health coverage, becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid, losing Medicaid coverage, having a death in your household, getting divorced or legally separated, or becoming a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

You must report the change to Medicare within 60 days of the event. Medicare will ask you to prove the change happened — for example, a letter from your employer saying your coverage ended, a Medicaid approval letter, or a death certificate. Without proof, Medicare cannot open the switching window.

Once Medicare confirms your change, you can switch plans when ready. Your new coverage typically begins on the first day of the month after you enroll. If you enroll late in the month, it may not start until the following month.

What Happens When You Switch Plans

When you switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan, your prescriptions, doctors, and hospitals may change. Your new plan has its own network of doctors and hospitals, its own formulary (list of covered drugs), and its own rules about referrals and prior authorization. Before you switch, check whether your current doctors and pharmacies are in the new plan's network and whether your medications are covered.

Your old plan ends on the last day of the month before your new plan starts, or on December 31 if you switched during the annual enrollment period. You do not need to contact your old plan to cancel — Medicare does this for you. However, if you have a pending claim with your old plan, submit it before coverage ends. After your old plan ends, it will not pay claims, even for services you received while you were still enrolled.

If you switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, you may want to buy a Medigap policy to cover costs that Original Medicare does not pay. You have a 63-day window to buy a Medigap policy without being denied or charged more because of pre-existing conditions. This window starts the day your Medicare Advantage coverage ends.

Switching Back to a Plan You Left

If you drop a Medicare Advantage plan and later want to rejoin it, you cannot do so unless you are in an open enrollment period. You cannot call the plan and ask to come back mid-year. This is why it is important to be sure about your decision before you switch.

The only way to rejoin a plan you left is during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) or during a may have access to life event window. If you left a plan in March and regret it, you will have to wait until October to switch back. Plan your switch carefully, and review the new plan's coverage before you enroll.

How to Switch Plans Step by Step

Start by comparing plans that cover your doctors and hospitals. Use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov. Enter your ZIP code, the medications you take, and your preferred doctors and hospitals. The tool will show you which plans cover them and what your out-of-pocket costs would be.

Once you have chosen a plan, enroll during an open enrollment period. You can enroll online at Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or in person at a local Social Security office. Have your Medicare card and the plan name ready. The enrollment process takes about 10 minutes online or 15 minutes by phone.

After you enroll, the new plan will send you a welcome packet with your member ID card, plan documents, and a list of in-network doctors and hospitals. Read the plan documents carefully, especially the section on prior authorization — some plans require approval before you see a specialist or have a procedure. Contact your doctors' offices to confirm they are in the new plan's network and to update your insurance information.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before You Switch

Before you finalize a switch, call your doctor's office and ask: "Is my doctor in this plan's network?" and "Will my doctor accept this insurance?" Some doctors are in a plan's network but do not actively accept new patients from that plan. Ask whether your doctor will continue to see you if you switch. If your doctor is not in the new plan, ask for a referral to an in-network doctor in your area.

Also ask your pharmacy whether it is in the new plan's network and whether your medications are on the plan's formulary. If a medication you take is not covered, ask your doctor whether there is a similar medication that is covered, or whether the plan will make an exception. Some plans will cover a non-formulary drug if your doctor requests it in writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch Medicare Advantage plans in the middle of the year?

Only if you have a may have access to event like moving, losing employer coverage, or becoming may be able to access for Medicaid. Otherwise, you must wait for the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7). If you do not have a may have access to event and try to switch outside this window, Medicare will reject your request.

What if my plan is being discontinued?

If your Medicare Advantage plan is ending, Medicare will notify you by October 31 of the year before. You will have until December 7 to switch to a different plan. Your coverage will not be interrupted — you can enroll in a new plan anytime during this period, and it will start on January 1.

Do I lose my coverage if I switch plans?

No. Your old plan covers you until the last day of the month before your new plan starts, or until December 31 if you switched during the annual period. There is no gap in coverage as long as you enroll in a new plan before your old one ends.

Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare anytime?

You can switch to Original Medicare during the Annual Enrollment Period or if you have a may have access to life event. You cannot switch outside these windows. If you switch to Original Medicare, consider buying a Medigap policy within 63 days to avoid higher premiums later.

What happens to my prescriptions when I switch plans?

Your new plan may not cover all the medications your old plan did. Before you switch, check the new plan's formulary on Medicare.gov or call the plan. If a medication is not covered, ask your doctor whether an alternative is available or whether the plan will make an exception.