When Can You Change Medicare Advantage Plans, and Why Switch?
When choosing a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll likely find a wide range of options available in your area. You’ll need to weigh each plan to figure out what’s right for you.
What if you choose a plan and you’re not happy with it? Or your needs change and your current plan is no longer meeting them? The good news is you’re not locked into that plan forever. In fact, your chance to enroll in a different plan is likely only a few months away.
When Can You Change Your Medicare Advantage Plan?
You have several windows of opportunity each year to enroll in a different Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan:
Annual Enrollment Period
Annual enrollment is from October 15 to December 7. It’s the main timeframe for choosing or changing your Medicare coverage. For example, you can:
- Select a different Medicare Advantage plan
- Transfer from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan (or vice versa)
After switching, your new coverage starts January 1 of the following year.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
This enrollment period, which runs from January 1 to March 31, is for existing Medicare Advantage plan members. During this time, you can:
- Swap your current plan for another Medicare Advantage plan
- Join Original Medicare
Your coverage begins the first day of the month after your new plan receives your enrollment application.
Special Enrollment Periods
Special enrollment periods allow you to change your Medicare coverage in certain circumstances, such as if you:
- Have a condition that qualifies for a chronic condition special needs plan (C-SNP)
- Lose other coverage, such as Medicaid or employer drug coverage
- Move out of your plan’s service area
Special enrollment periods aren’t tied to specific dates but occur whenever the need arises. In most cases, you only have a limited time to change your existing plan.
When to Consider Switching Your Medicare Advantage Plan
There are many good reasons to look for a new Medicare Advantage plan:
Your Current Plan Changes
Plans can change from year to year. It’s a good idea to check your current plan’s benefits for the coming year. You’ll find the changes outlined in the Annual Notice of Changes sent in September of each year. This gives you time to review your options and decide if you want to sign up for a new plan during the annual enrollment period.
Your Health Needs Change
Maybe you finally need a pair of glasses, or you think you might benefit from a hearing aid. Not all Medicare Advantage plans cover vision and hearing care, but many do. With a little research, it’s easy to find a plan that meets your needs.
Or maybe you’ve been diagnosed with a new medical condition and need more or different services than you did before. Your current plan might already provide those services. If not, look for a regular Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan, such as a C-SNP, that offers enhanced benefits for services such as:
- Durable medical equipment
- Home-delivered meals
- Hospital stays
- Respite care
- Skilled nursing facility care
- Transportation
Your Prescriptions Change
Each Medicare Advantage plan has a list of drugs it covers, called a formulary. If you start a new medication that’s not in your plan’s formulary, see if it covers any alternative drugs that might work for you. If not, it may be worth seeing if your medication is covered by any other plan. At Medicare.gov, you can compare all Medicare Advantage plans available in your area, including the estimated costs for the medications you’re taking.
You Want Benefits That Better Match Your Lifestyle
Gym memberships are a popular feature of Medicare Advantage plans, but some plans go a step further. For example, SCAN’s fitness benefit goes beyond gym memberships to include:
- On-demand and live-streaming classes
- An online brain exercise program
- Classes and social events in your area
Or maybe you want your coverage to be as unique as you are. If you’re tech-savvy, the SCAN MyChoice plan gives you a range of self-service features to manage your benefits online. We also offer tailored plans that focus on:
You Want to Save Money
Costs vary widely between Medicare Advantage plans. Often there’s a trade-off between out-of-pocket costs and benefits. You may be able to find a lower-cost plan if you don’t need certain benefits.
More affordable options may also be available through nonprofit insurers, such as SCAN. We direct our resources into building better plans with lower out-of-pocket costs. For even more savings, some SCAN plans offer a Part B premium rebate to put more money in your pocket each month.
You Move
Moving out of the area covered by your Medicare Advantage plan qualifies you for a special enrollment period. If you tell your plan ahead of time, your timeframe to switch plans starts the month before you move and continues for another two months. If you tell your plan after you move, your chance to switch starts that month and lasts for two more months.
How to Switch Medicare Advantage Plans
If you’re thinking about making a change, the first step is to check your current plan’s benefits. You may not be aware that your plan offers something because you’ve not needed it or used it before.
Next, compare all your options—including each plan’s:
- Benefits
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Prescription coverage
- Provider network
Once you’ve decided, simply contact the company during an eligible enrollment period to sign up.
Find What You Need With SCAN
To explore and compare SCAN Medicare Advantage plans, use our online search tool. Or call us at 1-877-452-5898. Our representatives can help you evaluate your options and find a new Medicare Advantage plan that’s the best fit for you.
