What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?

Until 2019, there was the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period. This gave beneficiaries who had elected Medicare Advantage the opportunity to disenroll from (drop) that coverage and return to Original Medicare. Then, Medicare introduced the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. Those who have a Medicare Advantage plan can now do more than just drop the coverage. From January 1 through March 31, they can:

Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage, known as a MA-PD plan.
Switch to a Medicare Advantage plan without prescription drug coverage.
Disenroll from the Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare Part A and Part B, with the option to enroll in a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan.*

Coverage becomes effective the month after the switch.

Here are some important points about the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.

This period does not apply to those who have Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) or cost plans.
Those who have Original Medicare cannot drop that coverage and enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
A Medicare beneficiary cannot change to a different Part D drug plan or enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan.

*Be aware: Federal law does not provide a guaranteed right to purchase a Medigap policy during this open enrollment period. In most states, those returning to Original Medicare will likely have to pass medical underwriting in order to get a Medigap policy.

Last updated: 01-18-2021

Now you can review your Medicare Advantage coverage between Jan. 1 and March 31!

How much could you save by potentially changing plans?

Answer the following simple questions. If you can answer yes to any, we strongly recommend reviewing your coverage during this year’s Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period:

1. Do your take any brand-name drugs?
2. Have you changed or added any medications and/or physicians in the past year?
3. Have you had any health changes, hospitalizations, and/or significant medical expenses in the last year?
4. Have you had the same Medicare Advantage plan for two or more years?

Remember, people who review their Medicare coverage often save hundreds of dollars or more on their Medicare coverage.

Learn more now!

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What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?

Now you can review your Medicare Advantage coverage between Jan. 1 and March 31!

How much could you save by potentially changing plans?

Need help determining what to do about Medicare?

Use the i65 software to easily guide you through the process!