How Often Can I Change Medicare Plans?

By Daniel Petkevich

May 5, 2023

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You Can Change Plans only During Specific Enrollment Periods

When Can I Enroll in Medicare?

• Enroll in Original Medicare — Medicare

  Part A

  and

  Part B

  , which covers hospital stays, doctor visits, and other medical services
• Enroll in Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug plan)
• Enroll in Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plan)
• Enroll in Medicare Supplement (

  Medigap

  )

When Will My Medicare Coverage Start If I Enroll During My IEP?

• If you sign-up before the month of your 65th birthday, your Medicare coverage will begin the month you turn 65.
• If your birthday falls on the first of the month and you sign-up during the first three months of your IEP, your coverage will begin the month before your 65th birthday.
• If you sign-up the month you turn 65 or during the three months after, your coverage will start the following month after you sign-up.

‎

• If you are undergoing dialysis treatment, you will be eligible for Medicare coverage starting from the first day of the fourth month of dialysis treatment.
• If you are starting a self-dialysis training program, you can immediately become eligible for Medicare coverage.
• If you are undergoing a kidney transplant, your Medicare coverage will begin the month you are admitted to the hospital. Alternatively, if you have been admitted to the hospital for more than two months before your transplant, your Medicare coverage will begin two months before your transplant.

Can I Switch Medicare Plans Anytime?

When Can I Switch Medicare Plans?

• Annual Enrollment Period
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
• Special Enrollment Period

1. Annual Enrollment Period

• Switch from Original Medicare to a

  Medicare Advantage Plan

• Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (or add or drop drug coverage)
• Switch from one Prescription Drug Plan to another
• Enroll in Medicare Part D

2. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

• January 1st to March 31st each year
• Within the first three months you get Medicare — if you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan during your IEP

• Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another (with or without drug coverage)
• Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare
• Join a Medicare drug plan

3. Special Enrollment Period

• Join a Medicare plan
• Switch to another plan

• You move to a different location
• You lose your current coverage
• You have a chance to get other coverage
• Your plan changes its contract with Medicare
• The state you live in grants SEPs
• Other special situations

• Switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare drug plan.
• Return to Original Medicare (if you are outside your plan's service area.)

• If you inform your provider before you move, your SEP starts the month before you move and continues for two months after you move.
• If you inform your provider after you move, your SEP starts the month you notify your provider and ends after two months.

• Join a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare drug plan.
• Switch from your current plan to another Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare drug plan.
• Return to Original Medicare.
• Drop your Medicare drug coverage.

• Join a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare drug plan.
• Switch from your current plan to another Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare drug plan.
• Return to Original Medicare.
• Drop your Medicare drug coverage.

• The date you are no longer eligible, or
• The date you find out you are no longer eligible.

Is It Time to Switch Your Medicare Plan?