Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage second chance in Rutland: Jan 1–March 31
RUTLAND, Vt. — If you signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan during the fall enrollment window and are already having second thoughts, you have a second chance. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31, and it gives people already in an Advantage plan one more window to make a change before the choice is locked in for the year.
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Key takeaways
- The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31 and lets people already in an Advantage plan make one change before the year locks in.
- This window is only for those already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1, not for people with Original Medicare, who instead use the October 15 to December 7 Annual Enrollment Period.
- During this period you can switch plans or drop Advantage for Original Medicare, but you get only one change, and new coverage starts the first day of the next month.
- If your situation doesn't fit these options, a Special Enrollment Period may apply, and Vermont's free SHIP counseling or the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov can help you compare Rutland County plans.
Here's what that means for Rutland-area residents, and what you can — and can't — do during these three months.
Who this window is for
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (often shortened to MA-OEP) is only for people who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1. If you have Original Medicare, this window is not for you — your main chance to pick up an Advantage or Part D drug plan was the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7.
Think of MA-OEP as a do-over for Advantage members. Maybe your doctor isn't in the network after all. Maybe a medication you take isn't covered the way you expected. Maybe the plan just isn't the right fit. This is the time to fix it.
What you can change between Jan. 1 and March 31
According to CMS, during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period you can:
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage).
- Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
- Add a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan if you go back to Original Medicare.
You can only make one change during this window, and the new coverage starts the first of the month after the plan gets your request.
What you cannot do in this window
Just as important is what MA-OEP does not allow:
- You cannot use it to join a Medicare Advantage plan if you currently have Original Medicare.
- You cannot use it to join, drop, or switch a stand-alone Part D drug plan if you are staying on Original Medicare.
- It is not a general open enrollment for Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policies. Medigap has its own rules, and in most cases insurers can use medical underwriting outside your initial Medigap enrollment window.
If none of the MA-OEP options fit your situation, you may still qualify for a Special Enrollment Period — for example, if you move, lose other coverage, or qualify for Extra Help. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to check.
Rutland-area context
Rutland is in Rutland County, and Medicare plan availability is set at the county level. That means the menu of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans offered to Rutland residents is the same across the county. If you're weighing a switch, the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov lets you enter your ZIP code and current prescriptions to compare what's available in Rutland County side by side.
Vermont also has a free State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — locally known as Vermont's SHIP, part of the Area Agency on Aging — that offers one-on-one counseling at no cost. They do not sell insurance.
What's new for 2027 that may affect your decision
A few program-wide changes are worth knowing as you weigh whether to switch:
- Part D out-of-pocket cap: In 2026, no one on a Medicare drug plan will pay more than $2,100 out of pocket for covered prescriptions in a calendar year.
- Part D deductible: The maximum allowed deductible for a Part D plan in 2026 is $615.
- No more "donut hole": The old coverage gap phase was eliminated in 2025. Part D now has three phases instead of four.
- Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: You can ask your drug plan to spread your yearly drug costs across monthly payments instead of paying big amounts at the pharmacy counter. It doesn't lower the total — it just smooths it out.
- IRMAA: Higher-income enrollees pay an income-related surcharge on Parts B and D. In 2026, that surcharge starts above $109,000 in income for a single filer.
None of these change which plan is right for you — but they change the backdrop against which every plan is designed.
By the numbers
Medicare Part B premium, 2006–2026
The standard monthly Part B premium has climbed from $88.50 in 2006 to $202.90 in 2026. Hover any point for that year’s premium.
Source: CMS. Standard premium shown; in some hold-harmless years many existing enrollees paid less. Confirm at Medicare.gov.
By the numbers
How people get Medicare in Rutland County
(MA penetration in Rutland County)
MA penetration from CMS enrollment data; Medigap share is an estimate. U.S. average is about 54% Medicare Advantage. These are area-level figures, not plan-specific.
Key dates
Medicare enrollment periods at a glance
- Around your 65thInitial Enrollment PeriodA 7-month window around the month you turn 65 — your first chance to sign up.
- October 15 – December 7Annual Enrollment PeriodAnyone with Medicare can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
- January 1 – March 31Medicare Advantage Open EnrollmentIf you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change.
- January 1 – March 31General Enrollment PeriodFor people who missed their first chance to sign up for Part B.
- VariesSpecial Enrollment PeriodTriggered by life events like moving or losing other coverage.
Dates are set by Medicare and apply nationwide. Confirm your personal windows at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Explore
When can you enroll? An interactive year
Enrollment windows are federal and the same nationwide. Confirm your personal dates at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Explore
The parts of Medicare
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Q: I have Original Medicare and wish I'd picked up a Medicare Advantage plan. Can I do that now?
Q: If I switch Advantage plans in February, when does the new plan start?
Q: Can I change my stand-alone Part D drug plan during MA-OEP?
- CMS — Medicare enrollment periods (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.