When can I change my Medicare Advantage plan?

Written by the My Plan Compass team. Last reviewed October 26, 2026, against Medicare.gov.

Most people can change Medicare Advantage plans once a year, during Open Enrollment from October 15 to December 7. The new plan starts January 1. If you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one more chance to switch between January 1 and March 31. Outside those dates, you can change only if something in your life opens a special window, such as moving.

For 2027 coverage, Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026. Rules are from Medicare.gov: Joining a plan.

The three main windows

Open Enrollment

When: October 15 to December 7, every year
Who: Anyone with Medicare
What you can do: Join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage plan. Move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Change drug plans.
New plan starts: January 1

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

When: January 1 to March 31, every year
Who: Only people already in a Medicare Advantage plan
What you can do: One change: switch to another Medicare Advantage plan, or go back to Original Medicare and join a drug plan.
New plan starts: The first of the month after the plan gets your request

Initial Enrollment

When: The 7 months around your 65th birthday month (3 before, the month itself, 3 after)
Who: People new to Medicare. You need Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage plan.
What you can do: Join a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time.
New plan starts: When your Medicare starts, or the first of the month after the plan gets your request if you ask later

January to March: who can switch

This window is easy to misread. It is only for people who are already in a Medicare Advantage plan. You get one change, and it can be to another Medicare Advantage plan or back to Original Medicare with a drug plan. If you have Original Medicare today, you cannot use it to join a Medicare Advantage plan; wait for Open Enrollment unless a special window applies. Source: Medicare's enrollment periods fact sheet.

Special situations that let you change

These are the most common. There are others, and Medicare reviews some situations case by case. See the full list at Medicare.gov: Special Enrollment Periods, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

You move out of your plan's service area
You can switch from when you move until 2 full months after.
You lose job-based or union coverage
You can join a plan until 2 full months after the month that coverage ends.
You have Medicaid or get Extra Help
You can make a change once each calendar month. It starts the first of the next month.
A 5-star plan is offered where you live
You can switch to it once between December 8 and November 30 of the next year.
Your plan is leaving Medicare
If your plan's contract is not renewed, you can switch from December 8 to the last day of February.
Your plan has been rated below 3 stars for 3 years in a row
You can switch any time while you are in that plan.
You joined Medicare Advantage for the first time this year
You have 12 months to drop it and go back to Original Medicare.

Before you switch

Check that your doctors are in the new plan's network. Call their offices to confirm.
Check that your prescriptions are covered, and what they will cost at your pharmacy.
Compare the yearly out-of-pocket maximum, not just the monthly premium.
Joining a new Medicare Advantage plan usually ends your old one automatically. You do not need to cancel it first.

Read how we compare plans to see how our comparison checks these for you.

Related guides

This guide is general information, not advice about your situation. We are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.