I'm worried about choosing the wrong plan and being stuck with it. How often can I change my Medicare coverage?

Question

Tony Capraro III · Accepted Answer

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Clarence &quot;Mark&quot; Christiansen · Answer

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Michael Ryan · Answer

You can change your Medicare plan during specific enrollment periods throughout the year. Here are the key times when you can make changes:

1. **Initial Enrollment Period**: This is when you first become eligible for Medicare, typically around your 65th birthday. It lasts for seven months (three months before, the month of, and three months after your birthday).

2. **Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)**: From October 15 to December 7 each year, you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare.

3. **Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage**: From January 1 to March 31, if you are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare.

4. **Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)**: Certain life events, such as moving, losing other health coverage, or qualifying for Medicaid, may allow you to change your plan outside of the usual enrollment periods.

It's important to review your plan options annually, as your health needs and plan offerings may change.

Kathryn Zekas · Answer

First, its a good idea to work with a LOCAL licensed Medicare broker. They should take the time to review your individual situation and needs and educate you on your options, and help you find a good plan that is going to work for you at least for the rest of the year. But Medicare does have an Annual Enrollment Period from October 15th - December 7th each year, where you can reshop and enroll into a different plan for the upcoming year. There are also special circumstances that may apply to some people that may allow you to change your plan at different times. Your local broker can check that for you.

Answered by Kathryn Zekas on May 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL

Answered by Kathryn Zekas Medicare Insurance Agent

Scott Sims · Answer

If you like Medicare advantage, you can change between advantage plans every year. If you are on Medicare supplement, some states have the "Birthday Rule" which allows you to change to another supplement carrier with no underwriting 30-60 days within your Birthday. In many circumstances someone has a 12 month trial period with Medicare advantage. That means we can give an advantage plan a, "test run", if you will. We have 12 months to move from advantage to supplement without answering health questions (underwriting).

Answered by Scott Sims on April 10, 2025

Broker Licensed in OR, AZ, CA & 15 other states

Answered by Scott Sims Medicare Insurance Agent

James Romeo · Answer

Depending on which "style" of Medicare plan you have that will determine what changes you can make and when. This can get complicated best to have a back and forth conversation with a Licensed Insurance Agent and/or Medicare Broker to help you choose the right "style of plan" that fits your needs. But here is a basic answer Medicare Advantage and Part D Prescription Drug plans are allowed to be changes during the Annual Enrollment period which runs from October 15th - December 7th every fall! Medicare Supplement or Medigap plans you are more or less married to but you can get off of them during this time as well. But! Be careful doing this because you may not be able to get back onto them unless you answer medical questions and you could be denied in the future. There are other times of the year that you may be able to make changes depending on what plan you are on and life circumstances. There are what are called Special Election Periods that can run all year long. And the Advantage Plan Open Enrollment Period that runs from January 1st to March 31st each year. Yes you could get stuck with a style but you can always make changes but make sure you understand the good and bad of that change. You will hear out YES and you will be told you "can change" something but the real questions "should" I make that change? We can help!

Answered by James Romeo on April 9, 2025

Broker Licensed in MN

Answered by James Romeo Medicare Insurance Agent

Shelly Hefley · Answer

When you first turn 65 or go onto Medicare, you have a guarantee issue. That is the most important time to make sure you get on the right supplement if you choose to do a supplement. Advantage plans you can change with no health history questions. It’s very important to get with a good agent that will get you on the right plan for you.

Answered by Shelly Hefley on April 11, 2025

Broker Licensed in IN, AL, IL, KY & TN

Answered by Shelly Hefley Medicare Insurance Agent

Bruce Kern · Answer

You canchange you coverage during AEP free m October 15 to Dec 7. Or during the open enrollment period from January 1 to March31

Doris Youngman · Answer

You can change your plan during certain times of the year. 
1.  You can change a plan from October 15 - December 7, known as the Annual Enrollment Period
2.  If during the following January 1 - March 31, you realize you don't like that plan either, you may make a ONE time change. That change is usually for the remainder of the year.
3.  There are always exceptions to that rule. For example, you move out of the plan area, or your insurance plan terminates you, or you lose your Medicaid status. There are others such as files, storms, hurricanes that also allow people to change plans during the year if FEMA has deemed it.

Hope this helps you.

Barbara Margucci · Answer

There may be opportunity to change your Medicare coverage, and a determination can easily be made based on your individual circumstances. To answer your question, I can offer you a no-cost, no-obligation needs analysis. Please call me to schedule 412-238-2007

Answered by Barbara Margucci on April 16, 2025

Agent Licensed in PA, OH & WV

Answered by Barbara Margucci Medicare Insurance Agent

Sam Silva · Answer

Annual Open Enrollment Period (October 15 - December 7)
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 - March 31)
You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you experience certain life events
Trial Period for Medicare Advantage & Medicare Supplement (Medigap)- Trial rights.

David Christian · Answer

In most cases you choose a plan and stick with it for the year.  Occasionally a Special Election may be available to you if you move and change counties or other circumstances.

Diana Pedersen · Answer

There are two types of plans - 
1. Medicare Supplements: you can typically change anytime during the year as long as you qualify medically on some plans
2. Medicare Advantage plans: after your first 12 months, you are only able to change during the Annual Enrollment Period, or Open Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period.

Kimberly Griego · Answer

If you choose a Medicare Advantage or stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan, you can change that once per year, during the Annual Enrollment Period between October 15 and December 7, for a January 1 effective date. There is also an Open Enrollment Period from January 1 through March 31, for a one-time change, but only for those on a Medicare Advantage plan.

Answered by Kimberly Griego on May 4, 2025

Broker Licensed in WA, AZ, ID & OR

Answered by Kimberly Griego Medicare Insurance Agent

I'm worried about choosing the wrong plan and being stuck with it. How often can I change my Medicare coverage?

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I'm worried about choosing the wrong plan and being stuck with it. How often can I change my Medicare coverage?

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