What is the Medicare Advantage (Part C) Open Enrollment period?

Question

Voss Speros · Accepted Answer

Voss Speros here, Greek God of Medicare. That's all Greek to you. You're in luck, I'm Greek. So the question today is, what is the Medicare Advantage Part C open enrollment period?

So that period is, it's a real thing. It is a real thing. Medicare Advantage has its own open enrollment after AEP, the annual enrollment period. It's called open enrollment. I know it's crazy, but it's from January 1st to March 31st. If you're on an Advantage plan, you can change to another Advantage plan. If you're under an Advantage plan, you can go back to original Medicare and do a drug plan, so you can change. If you're on original Medicare and on a supplement, you can't change to it.

Also, January through March is the general election period. If you didn't go on Part A or B and you're already retired and just hanging out there, and you need to go on it, that's when you go on one of those parts. But January to March, so if you made a mistake during open enrollment, boom, you can correct it one time here, January to March. If you missed open enrollment, boom, you get another, you get a secondary chance for your Advantage to change your Advantage.

So that's Medicare Advantage open enrollment period, January 1st to March 31st. After that, it's a special election period. So you got to be cautious if you need to make a change. Make a change now. All right, hope that helps. If you have any questions, we'll send out an agent to help you out. Have a good day.

Christy Jones · Answer

The Medicare Advantage Open an enrollment period is a 3 month period that beneficiaries that are already on a Medicare Advantage plan can make ONE change to their Medicare Advantage plan. Beneficiaries can also choose to cancel their Medicare Advantage plan and return back to only being on Original Medicare.

Answered by Christy Jones on April 27, 2026

Broker Licensed in ID, AL, AR & 20 other states

Answered by Christy Jones Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven Litzsinger · 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-part-c-open-enrollment-period-#steven-litzsinger

Daniel Maisel · Answer

Hi, my name is Daniel Maisel. I'm a Medicare agency. To answer your question, what is the Medicare Advantage Part C open enrollment? That can have various different answers. I'll try to make it simple. Basically, open enrollment usually applies to the first time you are ready to get Medicare. You're turning 65, you qualify for it now, and if that's the case, then that's the time where you need to learn the basics. You have to find an agent or broker that can explain the differences. You need to know how it works, who your doctors are, who your hospitals are, what prescriptions to take. Then they can explain what the different programs are.

For example, in Southern California, there are over 97 different plans. I don't represent them all; I represent about 65 of them. But there's a reason why there are different ones. If someone has, for example, diabetes, COPD, or heart disease, there are special programs with Medicare that will help you. And with open enrollment, you can find that out.

Now, there are other times of the year they have open enrollment. In the fall, you have open enrollment for people who want to change to a different plan or just see if their plan is still doing the same thing that they thought it would. The plans should all change from year to year. Doctor's contracts come and go, so open enrollment is so that you can make sure you're able to if you get sick. Eventually, all of us have some health issue. If you get sick, if something happens, where do you want to go? How do you want it to work? And that's what the agent's job is—to help you plan for that in advance, and then you can relax and not worry about it.

Lastly, they do have an open enrollment period at the beginning of the year. If you find that you just weren't happy with it, you have a one-shot deal where you can change to a different plan. Again, your agent can explain more about that. If I can help you, please feel free to contact me. Otherwise, find someone that you're comfortable with. Again, this is Dan, the Medicare man. Daniel Maisel Insurance Solutions. I wish you the best.

Edward Wooten · Answer

The Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which ends on March 31st, gives anyone currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan the chance to switch to another Advantage plan or move to Original Medicare. You can only make one change, so once you decide, you’ll need to stay with your new plan for the rest of the year.

Answered by Edward Wooten on February 9, 2026

Broker Licensed in IL & MO

Answered by Edward Wooten Medicare Insurance Agent

Chad Cason · Answer

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period is when Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan members can make changes to their existing plan or disenroll from their current plan and return to Original Medicare. It runs from January 1 to March 31.

The changes you can make during Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment are similar to those you can make during the Annual Medicare Enrollment period. It basically gives you another opportunity to get the coverage you want and need.

How is Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment different from Annual Medicare Enrollment?

The main difference between Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment and Annual Medicare Enrollment is who can use each one.

Annual Medicare Enrollment is when anyone with Medicare can make coverage changes for the upcoming year, while Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment is only for people currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Another difference between the two is the timing. Annual Medicare Enrollment is October 15 - December 7, while Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment is January 1 - March 31. Both happen every year.

How to get ready for Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

Whether you recently enrolled or have had your Medicare Advantage plan for years, you can take this opportunity to confirm - or change - your plan choice.

Think about your experiences with your plan and review its benefits.

How does your plan stack up in the following areas?

Your doctor and other providers are in the plan network.

Your prescription drugs are on the plan formulary.

You are comfortable with your costs, including premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

You have the additional coverage you want for dental, vision, and hearing care.

You are happy with your plan's additional benefits, such as fitness programs, mail-order pharmacy, nurse line, and other wellness services.

If you're interested in reviewing your coverage during this time, please contact us.

Dave Boehm · Answer

A part of Medicare that can be confusing is when you can and can’t enroll or switch plans.  Most people confuse the annual timeframe to enroll with what’s called open enrollment.  

Here’s a quick breakdown:
The Annual enrollment period is when the majority of changes are made because you can change your stand alone drug plan, change advantage plans (part C), change from advantage to original Medicare, and change from original Medicare to advantage (part c).  This timeframe is between October 15th through December 7th.

The Open enrollment period for Medicare advantage plans is a period where you can make a single change from advantage to advantage or advantage going back to original Medicare and picking up a drug plan.   This timeframe is between January 1st through March 31st.  

Lastly there are those who are on original Medicare with a supplement or Medigap plan.   If you’re looking to switch your drug plan, you will have to wait till the annual enrollment period to do so, but if you’re looking to switch your supplement/Medigap plan you can do so anytime throughout the year you want to because they are fully underwritten policies and you’ll have to go through underwriting.

Robert Loyd · Answer

This is another enrollment period available only to individuals who are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. It allows them to make one change between January 1st and March 31st. We like to think of it as a "redo" after the Annual Enrollment period that comes at the end of the year. You get one opportunity to make a change during this time and you will have to keep that plan you change to until the next annual enrollment period at the end of the year.

Answered by Robert Loyd on December 8, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA

Answered by Robert Loyd Medicare Insurance Agent

Mary Brown · Answer

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) runs from January 1 through March 31 each year. During this time, people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare, with or without a Part D prescription drug plan.

Answered by Mary Brown on May 19, 2026

Broker Licensed in NJ, DE, FL & NC, OH, PA & TX

Answered by Mary Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Jennifer Kalbach · Answer

Medicare open enrollment is January 1st to March 31st at which time you can switch to another MA plan, or change from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare and join a Part D plan during MA open enrollment.

Answered by Jennifer Kalbach on December 9, 2025

Agent Licensed in KY

Answered by Jennifer Kalbach Medicare Insurance Agent

Toni Cormier · Answer

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment starts on January 1, and ends March 31 annually, this allows members who are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan the opportunity to switch plans and identify a plan that better fits their need.

Answered by Toni Cormier on December 9, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, CA & OK

Answered by Toni Cormier Medicare Insurance Agent

Christine Brewer · Answer

The Medicare Advantage (Part C) Open Enrollment Period runs from **January 1 to March 31**, allowing people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan to make one change. During this time, they can switch to another Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare with or without a Part D drug plan.

Answered by Christine Brewer on December 9, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL

Answered by Christine Brewer Medicare Insurance Agent

Elliot Andrews · Answer

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period is different than the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period.

It is for beneficiaries enrolled into a Medicare Advantage plan that started on January 1st of the current year or older, and the window runs from January 1st to March 31st.  This enrollment period allows beneficiaries to change to a different Advantage plan, or disenroll from Part C altogether and re-enroll into a stand alone Prescription Plan with Original Medicare.

Julie Hamilton, RN · Answer

Great question! The Medicare Advantage Open enrollment period occurs from January 1 to March 31 annually. During this time, if you are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan you can make a one time plan change to a different Medicare Advantage Plan, return to Original Medicare, and Enroll in a stand alone Part D prescription drug plan. You can only make a change if you are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) at the start of the year. During this time, you cannot switch from original Medicare and enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan if you don't already have one.

Answered by Julie Hamilton, RN on April 6, 2026

Broker Licensed in GA, AL, SC & TN

Answered by Julie Hamilton, RN Medicare Insurance Agent

MoniKea Hatten · Answer

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) is a specific window of time each year that allows beneficiaries already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan to switch or drop their plan.

It is distinct from the fall Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) because you generally cannot use this time to join a Medicare Advantage plan if you are currently on Original Medicare.

Dates
January 1 – March 31 every year.

Who Can Use It?
This period is strictly for individuals who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan as of January 1.

What Changes Can You Make?
During this window, you are allowed to make one change to your coverage. The new coverage typically begins the first day of the month after you make the request.

You can:

Switch to a different Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage).

Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare.

Join a separate Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) if you return to Original Medicare.

What You Cannot Do
You cannot switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.

You cannot switch from one standalone Part D prescription drug plan to another.

What is the Medicare Advantage (Part C) Open Enrollment period?

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What is the Medicare Advantage (Part C) Open Enrollment period?

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