For the nearly 68 million Americans¹ enrolled in Medicare, one of the first signs of fall each year is the arrival of the Medicare & You handbook. This signals that two very important annual enrollment periods are just around the corner: the Medicare Open Enrollment Period and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.

In this guide, we explain the actions you can take during each enrollment period. Knowing more about these two distinct enrollment opportunities can help you make informed decisions about your health and drug coverage.

Medicare's Open Enrollment Period vs. the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: What’s the difference?

There are two main ways these two enrollment periods differ:

• They are held at different times of the year. Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period is from Oct. 15-Dec. 7. And the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment is from Jan. 1-March 31.
• They both offer different opportunities for adjusting your coverage. During Medicare Open Enrollment, enrollees can make a wider range of changes. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment gives people with Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans one additional chance to change plans or switch to Original Medicare.        

How does Medicare's Open Enrollment Period work?

When is the Medicare Open Enrollment Period? Oct. 15–Dec. 7

Who’s it for? This annual enrollment period is for anyone enrolled in Medicare Parts A and/or B, including those who may already be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.           

What can I do during Medicare Open Enrollment? You can join, switch, or drop a health and/or drug plan. These are the actions you can take:²

• Change from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
• Change from a Medicare Advantage plan to original Medicare.
• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another. 
• Join a Medicare drug plan.
• Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another.
• Drop your Medicare drug coverage completely.
• Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan that doesn't offer drug coverage to one that does.
• Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage plan that does not.

Do I have to change my coverage? No. If your current plans meet your medical needs and budget, you’re all set. But the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recommends everyone review their coverage annually.

"My best recommendation is start early, get your comparison nice and early. That way you can take your time with looking at that." Ryan Ramsey, NCOA Associate Director of Health Coverage and Benefits, told Scripps News.

My best recommendation is start early, get your comparison nice and early.” 

When do Open Enrollment changes become effective? Changes take effect Jan. 1, as long as you meet the Dec. 7 deadline.

How does the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period work?

When is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period? Jan. 1 to March 31.

Who is this for? It’s for people who are already enrolled in a private Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage).

What can I do during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment? If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, this period gives you an additional chance to make changes. Here are the actions you can take:² 

• If you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage), you can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage).
• You can drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to original Medicare. You'll also be able to join a separate Medicare drug plan.

Are those my only options during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment? Yes. To clarify,  you cannot do the following:²

• Switch from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
• Join a Medicare drug plan if you have original Medicare.
• Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another if you have original Medicare.

When do changes become effective? Your coverage will start the first day of the month after you apply to join a plan.

Get more answers to your Medicare questions

If you’re wondering, “Where is the best place to get advice on Medicare?”, we’ve got you covered! A good place to start is talking with a trained Medicare counselor at your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Find your local SHIP office here or call 1-877-839-2675.

In addition, you can:

• Visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). You can even talk or live chat with a Medicare representative 24/7, except for on some federal holidays.
• Review practical tips from CMS on choosing a Medicare plan.
• Explore NCOA’s Medicare for Older Adults resource library.

Sources

1.  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicare Monthly Enrollment. August 2024. Found on the internet at https://data.cms.gov/summary-statistics-on-beneficiary-enrollment/medicare-and-medicaid-reports/medicare-monthly-enrollment

2. Medicare.gov. Joining a Health or Drug Plan. Found on the internet at https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/joining-a-health-or-drug-plan