You Have Less Than One Week To Make This Important Medicare Advantage Change

Medicare Advantage enrollees have less than a week left to fix any coverage issues before they're locked into their decisions for the rest of the year. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period, which begins on January 1 each year, ends on March 31, so any enrollee who wishes to change their coverage must act quickly.

The period is an often-overlooked chance to address coverage issues that you've experienced and avoid wasting money in retirement, but it only applies to individuals already enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. Here's what you need to know if your current Medicare Advantage coverage isn't working for you.

The change you can make during Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

This brief window gives you the chance to make a single change to your coverage. According to CBS News, you can change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or you can change to an Original Medicare plan, with or without a Part D drug plan.

According to Medicare Rights, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan and a separate Part D drug plan, you cannot change your Part D plan. However, you can change to a Medicare Advantage plan that doesn't have a Part D plan, or you can switch to Original Medicare.

The change that you make will generally stay in effect for the rest of the year until you have the chance to change it again during the Fall Open Enrollment period. It's essential to carefully research your options and make sure that your new plan is the best choice for your needs.

The changes you can't make during Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period allows you to make limited changes to your plan. According to the National Council on Aging, you can't switch from Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan during this period. If you have Original Medicare, you can't join a Medicare drug plan or switch from one Medicare drug plan to another.

To make those types of changes, you will need to wait for the Fall Open Enrollment period.

Reasons why Medicare Advantage enrollees make a change

You might find you need to change your plan for several reasons. If your provider network has changed, such as if you've been seeing a new doctor, your providers might fall outside of your current plan's network.

You may have found that your health care costs are higher than you expected, and that your plan isn't the best fit for the types of health care services you need most often. If you're taking prescription medications but don't have appropriate drug coverage, changing to a plan with drug coverage might help you save money.

How to find a plan that covers your providers

Medicare Advantage plans have varying requirements about the providers you see. PPO plans have a network of doctors, hospitals, and providers, and your costs may be higher if you go outside of that network. The Private-Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plan allows you to go to any provider that accepts the plan's payment terms and agrees to treat you.

Review the doctors and providers you see most often, as well as any specialists that you might occasionally see. Verify if they're covered by the Medicare Advantage plan that you're considering, and consider how much flexibility the plan gives you in seeing providers.

How to find a plan that covers your prescriptions

It's also important to consider whether your Medicare Advantage plan covers your prescriptions. Some plans offer drug coverage, while others don't. If you choose an HMO plan that doesn't offer drug coverage, you won't have the option to get a separate Medicare drug plan. But if you have a PPO plan or an MSA PFFS plan, you can usually get a separate Medicare drug plan.

You might be taking no or few medications now, but keep in mind that your medication needs could change, and drug coverage could help keep your costs more manageable. According to AARP, in 2026, Medicare Part D caps annual out-of-pocket prescription drug expenses at $2,100 for enrollees, which could save you money on your medications.

How to find a plan with total out-of-pocket costs within your budget

The National Council on Aging reports that in 2026, Medicare Advantage premiums will average $14 per month, but many other factors affect your total out-of-pocket costs.

Review each plan carefully and consider how costs like your premiums, copayments, drug costs, and any costs for supplemental benefits, like vision or dental coverage, will add up. The best way to keep your out-of-pocket costs down is to find a plan that covers the services and providers you use most often. Using the Medicare.gov Plan Comparison tool can also help you see how plans stack up in terms of cost and coverage.

Bottom line

Any changes that you make to your Medicare Advantage plan typically take effect on the first day of the following month. Since the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period ends on March 31, it's important to act quickly to lock in any plan change before you lose that opportunity until the fall.

Getting the right health coverage is key to setting yourself up for retirement. Start comparing plans today to find the best new option for you, or speak with a licensed Medicare advisor immediately before the deadline.

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