My prescriptions got more expensive this year. Can I switch to an Illinois Medicare Advantage plan that covers them better?
Answered by 4 licensed agents
Did the price change in January? Did you change pharmacies? Did the drug move to a different tier? Are you paying a deductible now? Did your doctor change the dosage or prescribe a different version of the medication? Did you lose Extra Help or another assistance program?
Those details matter because changing Medicare Advantage plans may not be the first or best answer.
Sometimes simply moving a prescription to a preferred pharmacy can lower the cost. If a medication changed tiers or is no longer covered the same way, it may also be worth asking the plan about an exception. Medicare drug costs can vary based on the plan, the drug's tier, the pharmacy you use, and where you are in the plan's drug coverage for the year.
If a different Illinois Medicare Advantage plan really does cover your prescriptions better, the next question is whether you can change plans now.
Everyone gets an opportunity to review and change Medicare coverage from October 15 through December 7 for the following year. If you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you also get one opportunity between January 1 and March 31 to change to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.
Outside of those periods, a higher prescription cost by itself normally does not give you the right to change plans. But there are quite a few situations that can.
For example, you may have another opportunity if you moved, recently lost other coverage, receive Medicaid or Extra Help, moved into or out of a nursing or rehabilitation facility, qualify for a plan designed for a serious chronic condition, or meet one of Medicare's other special circumstances. There are also limited opportunities involving certain 5-star or consistently low-performing plans.
So I would not start by shopping for a new plan. I would start with the prescription.
What changed? What are you taking? What pharmacy are you using?
Answered by Jeremy Harkins on September 14, 2026
Broker Licensed in TN, AR, CA & 5 other states
Answered by Madison Schoenherr on September 10, 2026
Broker Licensed in IL, IN & MI
Answered by Vincent Orender on September 11, 2026
Broker Licensed in PA, AL, AZ & 10 other states
Answered by Jorge Collado on September 10, 2026
Broker Licensed in FL, AL, AR & 42 other states
Tags: Advice for Seniors Coverage Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug The Medicare System
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