Medicare Open Enrollment: What to Review Before You Switch

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What you need to know

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
• Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another

Medicare Open Enrollment is the annual window when many people look at changing their coverage, but the right move is not always the most obvious one.

The best choice often depends on whether your doctors are still in network, whether your prescriptions are covered, and how your total costs may change next year.

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If you are considering a switch, focus less on the plan marketing and more on the details that affect your day-to-day care. A plan that looked good last year may be a poor fit now if its formulary, network, or copays have changed.

What Medicare Open Enrollment actually lets you do

Medicare Open Enrollment runs each year from October 15 to December 7. During this period, people with Medicare can review coverage and make certain changes for the following year.

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
• Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
• Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan

See what you qualify for

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Any changes you make during this period usually take effect on January 1. If you do not change plans, your current coverage generally continues, but it is still worth checking for updates. Plans can change premiums, provider networks, drug lists, and out-of-pocket costs each year.

Start with your doctors and prescriptions

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For many people, the most important question is simple: will this plan still work for the care you already use? A plan can look affordable on paper and still be inconvenient or expensive if it does not fit your medical routine.

Check your provider network

If you use a Medicare Advantage plan, confirm that your primary care doctor, specialists, preferred hospital, and other regular providers are still in network.

Networks can change from year to year, and out-of-network care may cost more or may not be covered the way you expect.

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