What is the Medicare Advantage 5-Star Special Enrollment Period? Is this different from '"OEP'" and "AEP"?

Question

Michael Andrews · Accepted Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/what-is-the-medicare-advantage-5-star-special-enrollment-period-is-this-different-from-oep-and-aep#michael-andrews

Larry Dalton · Answer

Imagine Medicare plans get star ratings, like restaurants. If a Medicare Advantage plan gets a perfect 5 stars, you get a special "golden ticket" once a year to switch to that top-notch plan, even if it's not the usual enrollment time. That's the 5-Star Special Enrollment Period.

Now, the regular times to change your Medicare stuff are:

Fall (October 15th - December 7th): Think of this as the big annual open season where everyone can switch plans. That's the AEP.
Early Spring (January 1st - March 31st): This is mainly for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan to make some changes. That's the OEP (specifically the Medicare Advantage OEP). Sometimes people just call the big fall one "OEP" too, which can be a little confusing.
So, the 5-Star SEP is a special, once-a-year chance to jump to a really good plan outside the regular fall and early spring enrollment periods.

Jillian Bellinger-Laing · Answer

Yes, if there is a 5-star plan available in your area that you are interested in, you can make one change outside of the enrollment periods. Have a great day.

Joseph Peck · Answer

You can use it one time outside of the OEP and the AEP. You need to make sure that the 5 star plan is coverage is beneficial for you.

Leslie Kaz · Answer

5-Star Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

What it is:
A Special Enrollment Period that allows Medicare beneficiaries to switch to a 5-star Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, even outside of regular enrollment periods.

When:
Once per year, any time between December 8 and November 30 of the following year.
(Right after AEP ends on December 7.)

Who qualifies:
Anyone enrolled in Medicare who lives in an area where a 5-star rated plan is available.
You do not have to currently be in a 5-star plan — this SEP lets you switch into one.

What you can do:
Switch from any Medicare Advantage plan (even another 5-star) to a 5-star Medicare Advantage plan.
Switch from Original Medicare + Part D to a 5-star Medicare Advantage plan.
Switch Part D drug plans if a 5-star Part D plan is available.

Fred Manas · Answer

The Medicare Advantage 5-Star Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is a unique opportunity to switch to a 5-star-rated plan during a specific time frame. 
It is different from both the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) and the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) in terms of eligibility and timing.

Tony Hardwick · Answer

The 5 Star special enrollment period is available from 12/8 to 11/30 the following year as long as there is a 5 star plan available in the area.

Jaye Maxx Alexander II · Answer

Medicare uses a five-star rating system to evaluate Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare star ratings can change from one year to the next. Learn how to compare star ratings for the Medicare Advantage plans offered in your area.

If you are currently enrolled in a plan that is rated as fewer than five stars, you may be able to utilize the Medicare Five-Star Special Election Period to disenroll from your current plan and enroll in a five-star Medicare Advantage plan if one is available where you live.

 This period lasts from December 8 to November 30 of the following year. During this period, you can only switch to a five-star plan. Special Enrollment Periods may be granted to individuals for a variety of circumstances, such as but not limited to living outside of the U.S. at the time of your initial Medicare eligibility or residing in a long-term care facility.

Chuck Winslow · Answer

The Medicare Advantage 5-Star Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is a unique opportunity to switch to a 5-star-rated plan during a specific time frame.

It is different from both the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) and the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) in terms of eligibility and timing.

Answered by Fred Manas on April 28, 2025

Agent Licensed in NY, CT, DC & 7 other states

Answered by Fred Manas Medicare Insurance Agent

Rachael Metcalf · Answer

If there is a plan available in your county that CMS has given 5 star status to, you can enroll into it any time during the year.
AEP-is your annual time to make changes. That goes from Oct 15-Dec 7
OEP-you have a chance to make a 1 time change from a like product to a like product. That timeframe is Jan 1-March 31

Judi Norton · Answer

Any company that has a 5-Star Rating on their Advantage Plans can take enrollments any time of the year. Yes, it is different than OEP and AEP.

Diana Pedersen · Answer

The Five-Star Special Enrollment Period allows Medicare recipients to switch to a five-star Medicare Advantage, Medicare Cost Plan, or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan available in their area. This enrollment period occurs once per calendar year, starting on December 8th and ending on November 30th of the following year.

OEP is Open Enrollment Period is from 1/1 to 3/31 each year - Those who are currently on a Medicare Advantage plan have the option to move to a different Medicare Advantage plan or go back to original Medicare A/B with a prescription drug plan.

AEP is Annual Enrollment Period and is from 10/15 to 12/7 each year - This is the time of year when Medicare recipients are able to make changes to their current Medicare plans and Part D prescription plans for the following year.

Dan Green · Answer

Yes. There are two timelines such as Open Enrollment Period (January 1st -March 31st) and Annual Enrollment Period (October 15th- December 7th) each year to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. There are many other ways to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan- the most common of which is a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
Enrollment in a 5- star plan would open up a SEP and therefore allow a Medicare Advantage Participant to change plans into a 5- star plan anytime during the year using the SEP.