You may switch Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans during set enrollment periods each year and within a specified period of time following certain life events.
Part C plans are offered by private insurance companies. If you have a Part C plan, you can switch to:
- a different Part C plan that offers drug coverage
- a different Part C plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage
- Original Medicare (parts A and B) plus a Part D (prescription drug) plan
- Original Medicare without adding a Part D plan
To switch plans, contact the insurance provider of the plan you like and apply for coverage.
If you’re unsure how to contact the provider, Medicare’s plan finder tool may be useful. You’ll be disenrolled from your previous plan as soon as your new plan takes effect.
If you’re switching from a Part C plan to Original Medicare, you can call your former plan or enroll through Medicare by calling 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) or 877-486-2048 for TTY users.
You can switch your Part C plan anytime during your initial enrollment period.
If you qualify for Medicare based on your age, your initial enrollment begins 3 months before your 65th birthday, includes your birth month, and continues for 3 months afterward. In total, the initial enrollment period lasts 7 months.
If you qualify for Medicare based on a disability, your initial enrollment period begins 3 months before your 25th month of getting Social Security Disability Insurance or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, includes your 25th month, and continues for 3 months after that.
You can change your plan at any time during the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period, which runs from January 1 through March 31 each year.
The changes you make will take effect on the first day of the month following the month you make a change.
You can also make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan at any time during the annual election period, also known as open enrollment. This lasts from October 15 through December 7 each year. The changes you make will take effect on January 1 of the following year.
Certain life events can trigger the opportunity to switch your Part C plan.
If you move to a new location, your coverage options change, or you encounter certain other life circumstances, Medicare may offer you a special enrollment period.
Here’s a summary of those events and the options you’ll have:
| If this happens… | You can… | You have this long to make changes… |
|---|---|---|
| You move out of your plan’s service area | switch to a new Part C or Part D plan | 2 months* |
| You move, and new plans are available where you live | switch to a new Part C or Part D plan | 2 months* |
| You move back to the United States | join a Part C or Part D plan | 2 months* |
| You move out of or into a skilled nursing facility or long-term care facility | • join a Part C or Part D plan • switch Part C plans • drop Part C and switch to Original Medicare | for as long as you live in the facility and 2 months after you leave |
| You’re released from jail | join a Part C or Part D plan | 2 months* |
| You aren’t eligible for Medicaid anymore | • join a Part C or Part D plan • switch Part C plans • drop a Part D plan • drop Part C and switch to Original Medicare | 3 months* |
| You don’t have health insurance from your employer or union anymore | join a Part C or Part D plan | 2 months* |
| You enroll in a PACE plan | drop Part C or Part D plans | anytime |
| Medicare sanctions your plan | switch Part C plans | determined case by case |
| Medicare ends your plan | switch Part C plans | from 2 months before the plan ends until 1 month after it ends |
| Medicare doesn’t renew your plan | switch Part C or Part D plans | from December 8 through the last day in February |
| You’re dual eligible for Medicare and Medicaid | join, switch, or drop Part C or Part D plans | once during: • January to March • April to June • July to September |
| You enroll in a State Pharmaceutical Assistance plan (or lose the plan) | join a Part D plan or Part C plan with prescription drug coverage (Part D) | once per calendar year |
| You drop your Medigap policy when you join a Part C plan | drop Part C and join Original Medicare | 12 months after you first join the Part C plan |
| You have a Special Needs Plan but no longer have the special need | switch to a Part C or Part D plan | 3 months after grace period ends |
| You join the wrong plan because of a federal employee error | • join a Part C or Part D plan • switch Part C plans • drop a Part D plan • drop Part C and switch to Original Medicare | 2 months* |
| Medicare gives a 5-star rating to a plan in your area | switch to a 5-star Part C plan | once between December 8 and November 30 |
*Consult Medicare.gov for details on when the clock starts ticking to make changes.
You can make changes to your Part C plan by:
- adding or dropping prescription drug coverage
- switching to a different Part C plan
- going back to Original Medicare, with or without a drug plan
The important thing to note is that you can change your plan only at specific times during the year. You can switch at any time during your 7-month initial enrollment period or during the open enrollment period each fall.
You can also make changes during the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period at the beginning of each year. Additionally, certain life changes allow you to change your plan during special enrollment periods.
When you’re ready to switch, know that you can get help finding and enrolling in the right plan for you.