Terry Turner, writer and researcher for RetireGuide
  • Written by
    Terry Turner

    Terry Turner

    Senior Financial Writer and Financial Wellness Facilitator

    Terry Turner has more than 35 years of journalism experience, including covering benefits, spending and congressional action on federal programs such as Social Security and Medicare. He is a Certified Financial Wellness Facilitator through the National Wellness Institute and the Foundation for Financial Wellness and a member of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE®).

    Read More
  • Edited By
    Lee Williams
    Lee Williams, senior editor for RetireGuide.com

    Lee Williams

    Senior Financial Editor

    Lee Williams is a professional writer, editor and content strategist with 10 years of professional experience working for global and nationally recognized brands. He has contributed to Forbes, The Huffington Post, SUCCESS Magazine, AskMen.com, Electric Literature and The Wall Street Journal. His career also includes ghostwriting for Fortune 500 CEOs and published authors.

    Read More
  • Reviewed By
    Aflak Chowdhury
    Aflak Chowdhury

    Aflak Chowdhury

    Medicare Expert

    Aflak Chowdhury is a Medicare expert and independent insurance broker specializing in group health insurance. He has worked for major providers including Humana and Principal Financial Group and today works mainly in the small group market.

    Read More
  • Published: December 7, 2020
  • Updated: October 23, 2023
  • 5 min read time
  • This page features 7 Cited Research Articles
Fact Checked
Fact Checked

A licensed insurance professional reviewed this page for accuracy and compliance with the CMS Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines (MCMGs) and Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD) and/or Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) carriers’ guidelines.

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How to Cite RetireGuide.com's Article

APA Turner, T. (2023, October 23). Changing Medicare Coverage. RetireGuide.com. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/eligibility-and-enrollment/changing-coverage/

MLA Turner, Terry. "Changing Medicare Coverage." RetireGuide.com, 23 Oct 2023, https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/eligibility-and-enrollment/changing-coverage/.

Chicago Turner, Terry. "Changing Medicare Coverage." RetireGuide.com. Last modified October 23, 2023. https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/eligibility-and-enrollment/changing-coverage/.

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Key Principles

RetireGuide’s mission is to provide seniors with resources that will help them reach important financial decisions that affect their retirement. Our goal is to arm our readers with knowledge that will lead to a healthy and financially sound retirement.

We’re dedicated to providing thoroughly researched Medicare information that guides you toward making the best possible health decisions for you and your family.

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Can You Change Your Medicare Plan Anytime?

You can change your Medicare plan anytime if you encounter certain, specific unforeseen circumstances. But generally, you can join, change or drop your Original Medicare health plan, a Medicare Advantage plan only during Medicare’s three enrollment periods.

When You Can Change Medicare Coverage
Initial Enrollment Period
The initial enrollment period is when you first become eligible for Medicare. This includes the seven-month period that includes the month you turn 65, the three months before your birthday month and the three months following your birthday month.
Open Enrollment Period
Original Medicare’s open enrollment period runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 of each year. If you join, change or cancel your Medicare plan, the change will automatically take effect on Jan. 1 of the new year as long as the new plan gets your request by Dec. 7.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
The open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage runs from Jan. 1 through March 31 of each year. During this period, you can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another. You can also switch from your Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare and join a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan at the same time. You can make this change to Original Medicare only once.

Medicare Special Enrollment Periods

Medicare’s special enrollment periods allow you to change your Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D prescription drug plan at any time or in certain circumstances.

The length and timing of these special enrollment periods vary depending on the situation.

Situations When Special Enrollment Periods Apply
  • You move back to the U.S. after living outside the country.
  • You move out of your plan’s coverage area.
  • You move within your plan’s coverage area, but the plan offers new options.
  • You're released from jail.
  • You enroll in PACE coverage.
  • You drop your PACE plan coverage.
  • You enroll in another plan that offers drug coverage that is as good as Medicare, such as Tricare or VA drug plans.
  • You have an opportunity to enroll in other plans offered through your employer or union.
  • You lose coverage through a Medicare Cost plan.
  • You lose creditable prescription drug coverage.
  • Your health coverage from an employer ends.
  • Your plan’s contract with Medicare changes, including being sanctioned, terminated or isn’t renewed.
  • You’re no longer eligible for Medicaid.

There are other special situations that also trigger a special enrollment. You should check with Medicare if you experience a major life change or a situation with your plan.

How to Change Your Medicare Advantage Plan

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan you can change to Original Medicare — Medicare Part A and Part B — or to another Medicare Advantage plan during an appropriate Medicare enrollment period.

You can change to another Medicare Advantage plan by simply joining the new plan you’ve chosen. Your old coverage will end automatically when the new plan’s coverage takes effect.

If you want to change to Original Medicare, you have to contact your Medicare Advantage plan administrator and let them know you are switching. You then have to call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and enroll in Original Medicare.

Consider Additional Coverage
If you’re changing from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, consider the addition of a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan and a Medigap policy. Original Medicare doesn’t cover prescriptions, and adding coverage later can cost you a penalty. A Medigap policy may save you out-of-pocket expenses that Original Medicare doesn’t cover.
Source: U.S. Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services

How to Change Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans

You can change your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan during the initial enrollment period, open enrollment or special enrollment periods.

You don’t have to cancel your old Part D plan. It will end automatically when your new prescription drug plan begins. Your new plan should notify you by mail when your new coverage begins.

But you should make any switch or changes to your prescription drug coverage as quickly as possible to ensure that you will have your new plan’s membership card when your new coverage begins. This will help you get your prescriptions filled when you need them.

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How to Change Medigap Policies

Medicare Supplemental insurance — commonly called Medigap — is a policy sold by private insurers that covers some of your out-of-pocket expenses if you have Original Medicare.

Typically, you are not allowed to change Medigap policies except in two circumstances:
  1. Certain, specific circumstances occur or you have guaranteed issue rights.
  2. You’re still within the six-month Medigap open enrollment period.

If either of these situations applies, you may be able to change Medigap policies. You don’t have to wait a certain length of time before making your switch.

When You Can Switch Medigap Policies
  • You have an older Medigap policy that’s no longer offered, and you want a newer one.
  • You have a Medigap policy for less than six months and have a pre-existing condition.
  • You move out of state — you can keep your current Medigap policy, but you may have to pay more for a new one if you switch.
  • You have a Medicare SELECT policy and move out of its coverage area — you can buy a new policy from your current insurer or use your guaranteed issue right to buy certain standardized Medigap policy (plans A, B, C, F, K or L) from any insurance company.
  • You join a Medicare Advantage plan

To switch Medigap policies, call the new insurance company, apply for the policy and obtain approval.

Once you have the new Medigap coverage in place, you have a 30-day “free look” period to decide whether to keep it. You should not cancel your old policy until you’ve decided to keep the new policy.

Once you decide to go with the new policy, contact your old insurance company and tell the representative to terminate your old coverage. You may have to submit forms or a formal request to end coverage.

Last Modified: October 23, 2023
Terry Turner, writer and researcher for RetireGuide
Terry Turner Senior Financial Writer and Financial Wellness Facilitator
  • Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE®) member
  • Holds six Health Literacy certificates from the CDC
  • Emmy® Award winner
Edited By
Lee Williams, senior editor for RetireGuide.com
Lee Williams Senior Financial Editor
Reviewed By
Aflak Chowdhury
Aflak Chowdhury Medicare Expert

7 Cited Research Articles

  1. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022). 8 Things to Consider When Choosing or Changing Your Coverage. Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20221129153029/https://www.medicare.gov/new-to-medicare/choosing-or-changing-coverage.aspx
  2. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022). How to Switch Your Medicare Drug Plan. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/how-to-get-prescription-drug-coverage/how-to-switch-your-medicare-drug-plan
  3. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022). Join, Switch or Drop a Medicare Advantage Plan. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/sign-upchange-plans/types-of-medicare-health-plans/medicare-advantage-plans
  4. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022). Joining a Health or Drug Plan. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/joining-a-plan
  5. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022). Sign Up/Change Plans. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans
  6. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022). Special Circumstances (Special Enrollment Periods). Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/joining-a-health-or-drug-plan/special-circumstances-special-enrollment-periods
  7. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Switching Medigap Policies. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/when-can-i-buy-medigap/switching-medigap-policies