What should I do if I miss the Medicare Open Enrollment period, and I want to change my plan?

Question

Sandra Teel · Accepted Answer

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan and you have missed your opportunity to make a change in the Open Enrollment Period, then perhaps you might have the ability to make a change using one of the several Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) that are allowed by Medicare.
Some of the SEP's include things like the following: 
1) Have you moved to another county or state? Have you recently moved back to the United States after living abroad?  Have you moved into or out of a skilled nursing facility? 

2) Have you lost Medicaid? Or lost the Extra Help for prescription drugs? Did you lose the PACE program? 

3) Have you recently been granted Medicaid or Extra Help with prescriptions?  Do you have a Chronic condition like diabetes or heart disease?

4) You could join a 5-star rated plan 

5) Were you affected by a FEMA disaster?

There are many other SEP's that you might possibly qualify for. So, talk to a local Medicare Insurance Broker to know all your options.

Lt Col Tim Brown · Answer

Medicare supplement plans can be applied for and changed anytime of year you wish. Part C AKA known as Medicare Advantage plans, if you’re on one, can be changed up until March 31st.  After that the next time (Unless a person is just gaining Medicare Part B) is the Annual Enrollment Period that starts on Oct 10 to Dec 7. 

Other enrollment periods called Special Election Periods (SEP’S) come into play or allows a person to change plans such as moving from one service area to another, or a plan pulls out, or a person is released from incarceration.  There are a lot more more SEP”s than I just mentioned.  

Need help?  Give me a call Monday thru Saturday to about 6:30 in the evening at 615-506-9024.

Melonie Wood · Answer

If a person misses the Open Enrollment time frame that runs January 1st through March 31, then depending on where the member lives, they may be able to use a disaster SEP to change plans, if they are a veteran, they may be able to use the Veterans SEP; If they move, they can use the Move SEP and finally can call Medicare directly.

Answered by Melonie Wood on April 12, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL & AL

Answered by Melonie Wood Medicare Insurance Agent

Tasha Riggs · Answer

Medicare Advantage has enrollments from Oct 15 to Dec 7. Then from Jan 1 to March 31 you get one more chance to change. 
Medicare Supplemental or Medigap is all medically underwritten so you can apply anytime as long as you know you can qualify.

Misty Bolt · Answer

Annual enrollment is 10/15-12/7
Open enrollment is 1/1-3/31
You would need a special election to change any other time.

Dutch VanHoesen · Answer

You may utilize a Special Election Period which includes: 
Moving to a new plan area.
Enrollment in a 5 star plan.
Losing health insurance.
Weather related disasters.
Annual enrollment. Is October 15th through December 7th. If you miss that enrollment period and you are a current Medicare Advantage member, You have 1 more opportunity to change plans January 1st through March 31st. 
So from April 1st through December 31st you are locked into your plan unless you meet a special election period requirement.

Robert Moore · Answer

There are times that you can make a change on your plan. Open Enrollment which is from January 1st through March 31st. This gives you the chance to switch to a plan that is equal to the plan you have (medicare adv to medicare adv -Medigap to Medigap) or return to Original medicare. You also can make a change during a Special Enrollment Period. If you have experienced a life changing event (moved to where your current coverage is not, loss of qualifying coverage, enrolled in medicaid) or if your governor declares a state of emergency in your county and state. Unfortunately if you think you made a mistake with the coverage you chose and it is outside of these specific periods, you will have to wait until Annual Enrollment which starts Oct 15th.

Answered by Robert Moore on May 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in IN, AL, IL & 11 other states

Answered by Robert Moore Medicare Insurance Agent

Holt Rushing · Answer

There are Special Enrollment Periods that can be used based on your location. I would be happy to look into that for you and help where I can.

Edward Givens · Answer

If you've missed the Medicare Open Enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) and wish to change your plan, you may still have options through Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs).​
Verywell Health
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Cal Dept of Health Care Services
+8
Kiplinger.com
+8

Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): SEPs allow you to make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug coverage outside the standard enrollment periods if you experience certain life events. Qualifying events include:​
Cal Dept of Health Care Services
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UHC
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Investopedia
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Moving out of your plan's service area.​
Cal Dept of Health Care Services
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UHC
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Medicare
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Losing other credible health coverage.​
National Council on Aging
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Investopedia
+6
Medicare
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Gaining or losing eligibility for Medicaid or Extra Help.​
UHC
+1
Medicare Interactive
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Your plan changes its contract with Medicare.

Jeffrey Jon · Answer

Once OEP ends, (January 1st to March 31st) you can no longer change plans. (MA TO MAPD, MAPD TO MAPD) If you have a chronic condition , diabetes, heart condition, you may be able to switch to a chronic plan. You can do so once per year. If you do not qualify for a Chronic Plan, then you would have to wait for the Annual Enrollment Period beginning in October.

Answered by Jeffrey Jon on April 22, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX

Answered by Jeffrey Jon Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven Bleicher · Answer

The only option in this case is if the switch you may want involves only an Advantage plan. There is another period from January 1st through March 31st where revising your MA plan can be accomplished by changing one MA plan for another whether it’s with the same insurance firm or a different one. If your desire involved switching from the MA plan to a Med Supplement, you are out of luck, sorry.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on June 16, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Timothy Brown · Answer

Unfortunately, during this time of year, you will not be able to change your Medicare Advantage plan unless you have a qualifying Special Enrollment Period(SEP) such as a change in Medicaid status (gaining or losing coverage), newly receiving Extra Help/LIS or acceptance in a state pharmaceutical program if available or have a chronic condition of which a CSNP (Chronic Special Need Plan) is available in your area.

Answered by Timothy Brown on June 20, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CT, DE & 15 other states

Answered by Timothy Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Leslie Helene Sussman · Answer

If you miss Medicare Open Enrollment - Contact me as soon as possible so we can review available options to you.

Shelly Hefley · Answer

If you miss the open enrollment, there are other special enrollment periods that sometimes apply. The best thing to do is talk to a broker who is reputable and licensed that can help you solve that problem.

Answered by Shelly Hefley on June 21, 2025

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

Answered by Shelly Hefley Medicare Insurance Agent

Alan &quot;AL&quot; Minthorn · Answer

Consult with a licensed agent or call Medicare to review possible options. There are multiple election periods annually. You may qualify for a Special Election Period depending on “why” you missed your Open Enrollment Period.

Answered by Alan "AL" Minthorn on June 1, 2025

Broker Licensed in ME, FL, GA, NC & NH

Answered by Alan "AL" Minthorn Medicare Insurance Agent

Frank Woerner · Answer

The best thing to do is check with a trusted local agent to see if there are any "Special Enrollment Periods" available. Medigap plans do not necessarily need an enrollment period.

Vonda Peralez · Answer

You should always reach out to your local agent. Even if you think you missed an enrollment period, a good agent can educate you on your options. It's our job to stay updated on all the tricks of the trade.

Answered by Vonda Peralez on March 30, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA & WA

Answered by Vonda Peralez Medicare Insurance Agent

Steve Brauer · Answer

That really depends on what type of "plan" you have. If you have a Medicare Supplement Plan or MediGap plan, you can change it any time of the year, but you must go through an underwriting process most times. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you have two separate Open Enrollment times, October 15th thru December 7th is the Annual Enrollment Period, and then you have the actual Open Enrollment Period from January 1st thru March 31st. Both of these times you can change your Advantage Plan.

Answered by Steve Brauer on April 13, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ & CA

Answered by Steve Brauer Medicare Insurance Agent

Marcie Barnes · Answer

There may be a special enrollment period we can use.  I can help determine if this is possible.

Contact me directly at 940-400-0312

Andrew Kramer · Answer

Unless there is an SEP (Special Enrollment Period) in your area due to a disaster related issue that you qualify for, or you qualify for a chronic plan, or you have full Medicaid, you will have to wait until the Annual Enrollment Period, Oct 15 to Dec 7, to change your plan to next year's plan. Just remember that you can always change your PCP.

Answered by Andrew Kramer on May 25, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL

Answered by Andrew Kramer Medicare Insurance Agent

Todd Bostic · Answer

Sometimes agents can find another special enrollment if you miss the open enrollment. You can talk to the agent about what you might be eligible for.

Ellen Diehl · Answer

AEP is in the fall Oct 15 - Dec 7 for a 1/1/26 effective date. If you are on a dis-Advantage plan it is possible to get back to a Supplement Plan G = Good if you are very healthy and can answer 25 - 30 health questions to pass medical underwriting. Did the Advantage rep warn you of that when they signed you up? Ellen Diehl 770-712-9990 call if you need to discuss

Answered by Ellen Diehl on April 13, 2025

Broker Licensed in GA

Answered by Ellen Diehl Medicare Insurance Agent

Shannon Mayfield · Answer

It is important to discuss your situation with a licensed Medicare broker to see if you qualify for a special enrollment period and to evaluate what all of your options are.

Brian Williams · Answer

If the enrollment period was missed because of a state of emergency during that time (Natural Disaster), contact a licensed agent immediately to determine if you are eligible for a Special Election enrollment. If it was missed outside of that, the next opportunity will start on October 15 at the beginning of Annual Enrollment.

Answered by Brian Williams on April 21, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL, CA, GA & 6 other states

Answered by Brian Williams Medicare Insurance Agent

What should I do if I miss the Medicare Open Enrollment period, and I want to change my plan?

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