Eligibility for Changing a Medicare Plan Outside of Standard Open Enrollment
Discover your options for switching plans
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: January 1 through March 31, 2025
If you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you have the opportunity to make changes during this period. From January 1 through March 31, 2025, you can:
Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage).
Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare.
Join a separate Medicare Drug plan if you return to Original Medicare.
Please note: You can only change your Medicare Advantage plan once during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.
5-star Special Election Period (SEP): December 8, 2024, through November 30, 2025
If you’re enrolled in a Medicare plan and want to switch to a higher-rated plan, the 5-star Special Enrollment Period (SEP) allows you to do just that from December 8 through November 30 of the following year. You can use the 5-star SEP if:
There is a 5-star Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Prescription Drug plan (Part D) available in your area.
Special Election Period (SEP): Throughout the year
Certain changes in your circumstances may make you eligible for an SEP. These special circumstances include:
Change of ZIP code associated with your Social Security benefits.
Loss or discontinuation of coverage by the insurance carrier.
To find out more about special circumstances, contact your state’s Department of Insurance or visit Medicare.gov.
