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What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
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Short answer
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1 to March 31 each year, and only people already in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) can use it, to make one change.
During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period you can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan, with or without drug coverage, or drop your plan and return to Original Medicare, where you can also join a separate Medicare drug plan (Part D).
People in Original Medicare can't use the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period to join a Medicare Advantage plan, join a separate Medicare drug plan or switch drug plans, and a change made in this period takes effect the first of the month after the plan gets your request.
| Fact | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | January 1 to March 31 each year | Medicare.gov |
| Who can use it | Only people already in a Medicare Advantage plan | Medicare.gov |
| How many changes | One | Medicare.gov |
| What you can do | Switch Medicare Advantage plans, or return to Original Medicare and join a separate drug plan | Medicare.gov |
| What you can't do | Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage; join or switch drug plans in Original Medicare | Medicare.gov |
| When the change starts | The first of the month after the plan gets your request | Medicare.gov |
| New to Medicare Advantage in your Initial Enrollment Period | A change within the first 3 months you have Medicare | Medicare.gov |
What can I do during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
If you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage), from January 1 to March 31 you can make one of these changes:
- Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan, with or without drug coverage.
- Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare. You'll also be able to join a separate Medicare drug plan.
What can't I do during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
You can only make one change during this period, and some changes aren't allowed. During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, you can't:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Join a separate Medicare drug plan if you have Original Medicare.
- Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another if you have Original Medicare.
How is it different from Open Enrollment in the fall?
Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, is the time each year when you can make changes to your coverage. During it you can join, drop or switch Medicare Advantage Plans (or add or drop drug coverage), switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and join, drop or switch Medicare drug plans if you're in Original Medicare. Those changes start January 1, as long as the plan gets your request by December 7.
If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan during Open Enrollment but change your mind, you can switch back to Original Medicare or change to a different Medicare Advantage Plan during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. See What are the Medicare enrollment periods? for every window.
When does my new coverage start, and how do I make the change?
Any change you make starts the first of the month after the plan gets your request. To join a plan, you can select 'Enroll' for the plan you want at Medicare.gov/plan-compare, contact the plan directly, or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
If you're returning to Original Medicare and joining a separate Medicare drug plan, you don't need to contact your Medicare Advantage Plan to disenroll: the disenrollment happens automatically when you join the drug plan.
What if I'm new to Medicare Advantage?
If you joined a Medicare Advantage Plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can change to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or go back to Original Medicare (with or without a drug plan) within the first 3 months you have Medicare Part A and Part B.
If you joined a Medicare Advantage Plan when you were first eligible for Medicare at 65 and decide within the first year to switch to Original Medicare, a Special Enrollment Period lets you drop the plan for 12 months after you first join, with special rights to buy a Medigap policy for a limited time.
Can I add Medigap if I go back to Original Medicare?
Possibly, but there are limits on when you can add it. If you switch to Original Medicare, you may need to join a separate drug plan and may want to add Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap), which helps pay your share of costs in Original Medicare. If you dropped a Medigap policy to join a Medicare Advantage Plan for the first time, you have a single 12-month trial right period to get that policy back if the same insurance company still sells it. Outside your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you may not be able to buy a Medigap policy, or it may cost more. See Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare with a Medigap plan?.
Good to know
More questions people ask
Can I switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage between January and March?
How many changes can I make during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
Do I have to cancel my Medicare Advantage plan to go back to Original Medicare?
Is this the same as the General Enrollment Period?
Related questions
In depth
- Medicare.gov: Joining a plan
- Medicare.gov: Open Enrollment
- Medicare.gov: Medicare & You handbook
- Medicare.gov: Special Enrollment Periods
- Medicare.gov: How Medigap works
- Medicare.gov: Medigap basics
Figures are Medicare’s, set nationally, and were checked against these pages on October 2026. For your own situation, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048).
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This page was last updated: October 2026.