If you enrolled into a Medicare Advantage plan and you have decided you would like to switch to something different, you will only be able to change during certain times of the year. Different situations determine how and when you can change from your current plan.
Open Enrollment Period (OEP). The Fall Open Enrollment Period (OEP) runs between October 15- December 7th each year. During this period, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, add or drop Part D prescription drug coverage, return to Original Medicare, or purchase a Medicare Supplement. You are not limited to the amount of changes you can make, but your final choice will go into effect on January 1st. Even if you are satisfied with your coverage, you should take this time to shop your options and see if you could save money by changing to another option. This is also the only time of year you can change to an MSA (Medical Savings Account).
Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (MADP). The Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period runs each year between January 1st- February 14th. During this period, if you have enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan with or without Prescription Drug coverage and have decided you are dissatisfied with it, you can disenroll from the plan and return to Original Medicare with or without prescription drug coverage. You are also permitted to apply for a Medicare supplement at this time; however, the federal government does not grant you Guaranteed Issue status. Check with your SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) to see if your state grants you more rights in purchasing a Medigap plan during this time.
You are not allowed to disenroll or switch your stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan during the MADP. If you are going back to Original Medicare, you can do so with or without a Prescription Drug plan unless you are enrolled in a PFFS plan with a stand-alone drug plan. Under that circumstance, you will be required to keep your stand-alone drug plan.
Any changes you make will go into effect the first day of the following month; if you made your changes in February, they will go into effect March 1st.
You Can Switch From: A Medicare Advantage plan that includes or does not include Prescription drug coverage
To: Original Medicare with OR without a Prescription Drug Plan
You Can Switch From: A Medicare PFFS (Private Fee-For-Service) plan that does not have prescription drug coverage, but has a stand-alone prescription drug plan
To: Original Medicare, but you must keep your stand-alone prescription drug plan
Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Special Enrollment periods can be granted to you under certain circumstances. During an SEP, you are able to change your Medicare health plan as well as your Part D prescription drug plan outside of the standard annual enrollment and disenrollment periods.
There are many ways you can be granted an SEP, but one way to get an SEP is if you or your Medicare Advantage plan moves out of your service area. Another SEP is available for you if you would like to switch to a five-star Medicare Advantage plan from your current plan. Medicare Advantage plans are given star ratings based on quality of service in several different levels, and are used as an incentive for Medicare Advantage plans to improve their service. This SEP is only available once per calendar year. For more information on SEPs, go to the Special Enrollment Conditions page.