9 Reasons To Change Your Medicare Advantage Plan While You Still Can

Finding good health insurance at a price you can afford is an essential part of your retirement plan. If you currently have insurance through a Medicare Advantage plan — sometimes referred to as Medicare Part C — you have until March 31 to make any changes to your insurance coverage.

Once the deadline passes, you’ll be locked into your current plan until the next open enrollment period, which will begin in January 2026.

Not sure if you should bother changing your current Medicare Advantage coverage? Here are nine reasons to consider adjusting your plan before the deadline.

If the Medicare Advantage plan you had in 2024 didn’t meet your needs, now is the perfect time to shop for a new option. During this period, you can switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan for any reason.

So, whether your old plan was too expensive, didn’t offer the coverage you needed, or was saddled with terrible customer service, compare plans now for better insurance coverage in 2025.

In contrast to Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans often require you to find in-network care providers.

If your Medicare Advantage plan no longer covers one of your preferred providers, switching to a plan where they’re in-network usually is more cost-effective than paying the provider out of pocket.

Alternatively, you can consider switching to a new provider who offers the same services but is still in-network. If the hassle of finding a new provider isn’t worth it to you, though, switching plans might be the easiest choice.

Medicare Advantage plans vary in cost, largely because they offer different types of extra services.

If your Medicare Advantage plan increased its prices over the last year — or if the plan’s costs no longer fit your budget — you can likely find a different plan that offers comparable coverage at a better price.

Each insurance company’s list of covered medications — which is called a formulary — changes annually. Some prescription drug costs may increase while others decrease.

If you’re on a medication no longer covered by your Medicare Advantage plan or if one of your drugs has jumped from a lower-cost tier to a higher-cost tier on the company’s formulary, it doesn’t hurt to look for a new plan that offers a better deal on your necessary medications.

As you get older, your medical needs change. The Medicare Advantage plan that provided you with everything you needed in the past may no longer suffice.

Comparing plans can help you find affordable coverage that accommodates your changing needs and assists you in paying for necessary treatments, services, and medications.

Even if you like your current plan, it’s possible that after comparing Medicare Advantage plans you might discover that a different plan meets your needs at a lower cost.

If so, switching before this year’s deadline can be a good financial move.

Medicare Advantage plans offer expanded coverage for services that aren’t covered with Original Medicare. However, each Medicare Advantage plan has its own set of perks.

For instance, some plans offer an acupuncture benefit while others do not.

If your current plan does not cover services you want, there’s a good chance a different plan will offer the coverage. However, be aware that plans with additional services may cost more.

If your income has gone down and you can’t comfortably afford your current Medicare Advantage premium, don’t stretch your savings or put yourself into debt.

Instead, take advantage of the current enrollment period to find a more affordable plan that still covers your most important services and medications.

Medicare Advantage plans require you to see in-network providers if you want to keep costs low. In some cases, these plans might not cover out-of-network visits at all.

If you are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, you might have a difficult time finding in-network care if you spend summers or winters in a state other than where your primary residence is located.

Switching to Original Medicare will give you access to more medical providers, since it doesn’t limit you to a specific network of providers. But there are pros and cons with Original Medicare too, so do your homework before switching.

One key to enjoying a stress-free retirement is to make smart financial decisions about your health insurance coverage.

If you have Medicare Advantage but are unhappy with your current Medicare plan’s costs or coverage, switching before the March 31 deadline can save you time, money, and energy.

Struggling to find the right plan for your needs? Meet with an insurance broker who can explain your options.