Key takeaways:
Medicare Advantage (Part C) open enrollment happens annually from January 1 to March 31. Coverage starts the first day of the month after your request to join a plan.
During this period, which is specifically for people enrolled in Medicare Advantage, you have multiple options. These include switching to a different Medicare Advantage plan or to an original Medicare plan.
You can also switch your Medicare Advantage coverage during the annual Medicare open enrollment season from October 15 to December 7. And may be able to make changes at other times if you qualify for a special enrollment period.
Depending on the type of plan you have, there are different times of the year you may be able to make changes to your Medicare coverage. If you have original Medicare — Part A and Part B — your annual open enrollment period occurs October 15 to December 7 every year. If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, you can make changes during fall open enrollment and during a 3-month Medicare Advantage open enrollment period from January 1 to March 31.
When is the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period?
Open enrollment exclusively for people with existing Medicare Advantage plans is from January 1 to March 31 every year. During that time, you have many options, including:
Switching to another Medicare Advantage plan with prescription medication coverage (Part D)
Switching to another Medicare Advantage plan without Part D
Switching to original Medicare without joining a Part D plan
Switching to original Medicare and joining a Part D plan
Your coverage starts the first day of the month after your request to join a plan. It’s important to note that you can switch Medicare Advantage plans once during this 3-month period.
During Medicare Advantage open enrollment, you cannot switch from original Medicare to Medicare Advantage coverage. Adjustments for people enrolled in original Medicare must happen during the open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7.
During your first 3 months of joining Medicare, you can also switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or to original Medicare.
Medicare Advantage open enrollment vs. Medicare open enrollment
As mentioned, Medicare has a fall open enrollment period that runs from October 15 to December 7 annually. But there’s also an open enrollment period exclusively for Medicare Advantage from January 1 to March 31 every year.
Fall open enrollment offers the most flexibility for making changes to your Medicare coverage. During this time you can:
Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and enroll in original Medicare with or without Part D
Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to original Medicare with Medigap supplemental insurance (noting that you may face late enrollment penalties as well as medical underwriting if you want to join Medigap)
Switch from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
Stay with original Medicare and join a Part D prescription plan
Stay with original Medicare and switch or drop your Part D plan
New changes to Medicare Advantage enrollment in 2026
In 2026, you may qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP) to change your Medicare Advantage plan if you choose a plan based on inaccurate Medicare Advantage directory information.
The Medicare plan finder tool helps consumers compare Medicare Advantage plans and Part D plans. The 2026 coverage year is the first time this online comparison tool has included a provider directory for each plan. This information can help people find a plan with a coverage network that includes their preferred healthcare professionals and medical facilities.
While these provider directories should be largely accurate, they may include healthcare professionals and facilities that are no longer in network. That means there’s the potential for you to use flawed information to make a decision. In 2026, if you use Medicare plan finder information and choose a plan based on a directory error, you could be eligible for an SEP to make changes to your coverage.
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You must catch the issue within 3 months of the coverage beginning and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). With confirmation that you received incorrect information from the Medicare plan finder tool, you have these options:
Choose a new Medicare Advantage plan (with or without Part D prescription coverage)
Disenroll from Medicare Advantage and switch to original Medicare
Choose a standalone Part D plan, which will automatically revert your medical coverage to original Medicare
Coverage will start the month after you select your new plan.
Can you switch from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare during open enrollment?
You can switch from Medicare Advantage back to original Medicare during the main open enrollment period in the fall. This is also possible during Medicare Advantage open enrollment from January 1 to March 31.
As mentioned earlier, there is an additional opportunity to switch plans if you joined Medicare with a Medicare Advantage plan. In that case, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or to original Medicare within the first 3 months of enrollment.
How do you qualify for a special enrollment period?
If you qualify for an SEP, you can also make changes to your Medicare coverage outside of open enrollment. Here are some reasons you could qualify you for a SEP:
You move and no longer qualify for your current plan.
You move to a part of your current coverage area where there are plan options from additional Medicare plan providers.
You move into (or out of) an assisted living facility, mental health facility, or prison.
You previously qualified for Medicaid but are no longer eligible.
You lost your job and no longer have employer-provider health insurance.
You wish to switch from a Medicare plan with a low quality rating to one with a five-star quality rating.
You were enrolled in a special needs plan but no longer have the condition that made you eligible for coverage.
You think that misleading or unclear information caused you to choose the wrong plan. This is true even if you used Medicare’s online plan finder tool to sign up. In this scenario, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for help switching plans.
Your coverage will likely start the first day of the month after your request to enroll in a plan.
Should you consider switching Medicare Advantage plans?
Whether you should join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage plan — or a Part D prescription medication plan — usually depends on what, if any, conditions you’re managing and your budget. A new plan may offer benefits that better align with your needs at a lower cost.
Here are five reasons you might consider switching from your current Medicare Advantage plan to another one:
You have new health needs.
You no longer need a particular benefit.
Your prescription medications have changed.
Your plan is no longer the most affordable option available to you.
Your plan has changed or removed benefits.
You should check the benefits and costs of your current Medicare Advantage plan to determine if the offerings still meet your needs. Refer to your annual notice of change (ANOC), which should arrive in the fall, to know what to expect in the next coverage year. Then, compare your plan to others offered in your area to see if there’s something better for you. For instance, some people may want a plan that covers gym membership or transportation for healthcare appointments. You should also consider the extra benefits as well as the disadvantages of Medicare Advantage plans in general.
If you need a Part D prescription plan, make sure the one you have — or the new one you choose, whether it’s rolled into a Medicare Advantage plan or not — covers the medications you need.
Preparing for Medicare Advantage open enrollment
Here are some ways you can prepare for Medicare Advantage open enrollment:
Check your current plan details to see if the coverage meets your needs. This should include making sure any necessary healthcare professionals or medical facilities are in network. If you have Part D, check your plan’s formulary to make sure you have coverage for your prescription medications.
Compare different plans in your area based on affordability.
Contact your Medicare Advantage plan or a navigator who can offer your free, unbiased advice. For example, a representative with your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) won’t derive any benefit from advice they give you, regardless of what coverage you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Not typically. You can join a Medicare Advantage plan during your initial enrollment period, when you’re first eligible for Medicare. But after that, you usually have to wait for an open enrollment period.
If you have original Medicare, you can switch to a Medicare Advantage plan during the annual open enrollment in the fall. If you already have Medicare Advantage, you can enroll in a different plan during fall open enrollment or the annual Medicare Advantage open enrollment period that happens the first three months of the year.
No, you can typically only switch from original Medicare to Medicare Advantage during the open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7. During that period, you also can add or drop a Part D plan.
If you need to make a change outside that time frame, you may be able to do so if you qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP). You become eligible for an SEP when you have a qualifying life event occur outside of open enrollment. Your coverage will start the first day of the month after your request to join a plan.
Not typically. You can join a Medicare Advantage plan during your initial enrollment period, when you’re first eligible for Medicare. But after that, you usually have to wait for an open enrollment period.
If you have original Medicare, you can switch to a Medicare Advantage plan during the annual open enrollment in the fall. If you already have Medicare Advantage, you can enroll in a different plan during fall open enrollment or the annual Medicare Advantage open enrollment period that happens the first three months of the year.
No, you can typically only switch from original Medicare to Medicare Advantage during the open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7. During that period, you also can add or drop a Part D plan.
If you need to make a change outside that time frame, you may be able to do so if you qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP). You become eligible for an SEP when you have a qualifying life event occur outside of open enrollment. Your coverage will start the first day of the month after your request to join a plan.
The bottom line
The annual Medicare Advantage (Part C) open enrollment period starts January 1 and ends March 31. During this time, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or to original Medicare. You can take either option with or without joining a Part D plan for prescription medication coverage. You can also change your Medicare Advantage coverage during the annual Medicare open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7.
Outside of the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period — the first three months of the year — and fall open enrollment, you may be able to make changes to your Medicare Advantage coverage if you qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP). If you initially joined Medicare with a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch coverage any time during the first 3 months of enrollment.
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References
Carter, J. (2025). Harm to Medicare Advantage enrollees from directory errors and inadequate networks. Medicare Rights Center.
Casolo, E. (2025). CMS to allow plan changes over inaccurate Medicare Advantage directories. Becker’s Payer Issues.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). Five-star quality rating system.
Freed, M. (2025). Is Medicare’s new provider search tool a step in the right direction? KFF.
Healthcare.gov. (n.d.). Qualifying life event (QLE).
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Avoid late enrollment penalties.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Explore your Medicare coverage options.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Joining a plan.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Special enrollment periods.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Special needs plans (SNP).
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). What’s Medicare drug coverage (Part D)?
Mulcahy, J. (2025). Special election period for incorrect Medicare plan finder Medicare
Advantage (MA) provider directory information. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
