Yes, you can change Medicare plans mid-year, but usually only during specific times like the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan 1 - Mar 31) for MA members, or if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) due to a life event like moving or losing coverage, otherwise, the main change time is the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15 - Dec 7).
The usual times to make changes are the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31).
Medicare provides certain time periods when you can change Medicare plans. The main one is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Anyone on Medicare can make coverage changes during this time that then go into effect the following year.
Generally, you're first eligible to sign up for Part A and Part B starting 3 months before you turn 65 and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65. (You may be eligible for Medicare earlier, if you get disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.)
You generally won't face a penalty for switching Medicare Advantage (MA) or Part D plans during enrollment periods (like AEP: Oct 15-Dec 7 or MA OEP: Jan 1-Mar 31). However, potential issues arise if you drop Part D (prescription drug) coverage for 63+ days, triggering a late enrollment penalty, or if you switch from MA to Original Medicare and can't get Medigap due to health issues (underwriting). Penalties usually apply for late enrollment into Part B or D, not for switching plans at the right time.
Here are some of the biggest Medicare mistakes to avoid:
January 1-March 31. If you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can make a change as long as it's within the first 3 months you have Medicare.
Medicare Premiums Over $500
However, if you have a higher-than-average income, your Part B premiums start going up on a sliding scale. How much extra you pay is based on the income you reported to the IRS two years ago.
If you file your taxes as "married, filing jointly" and your MAGI is greater than $218,000, you'll pay higher premiums for your Part B and Medicare prescription drug coverage. If you file your taxes using a different status, and your MAGI is greater than $109,000, you'll pay higher premiums.
The Medicare 2-Midnight Rule is a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services(CMS) guideline for hospital admissions, stating that if a doctor expects a patient to need hospital care crossing at least two midnights, the stay generally qualifies for Medicare Part A inpatient payment;
These chances to make changes are called Special Enrollment Periods. The types of changes you can make and the timing depend on your life event. If you have questions or need help making enrollment changes, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
Outside of Open Enrollment, employees with health insurance marketplace plans can only make changes during a special enrollment period if they meet specific eligibility requirements. A special enrollment period can occur at any point during the year and applies only to those who have experienced a major life event.
People leave Medicare Advantage (MA) plans due to difficulty accessing needed care (especially with worsening health), restrictive provider networks, complex prior authorization rules, and dissatisfaction with care quality, often feeling trapped as their health needs grow despite initial low costs and extra perks that become limiting. Issues with provider availability, network changes, and sometimes misleading marketing also drive disenrollment, pushing people back to Traditional Medicare for greater freedom, notes KFF.
It's important to know that Medicare won't cover any blood test if it isn't medically necessary. If you seek a blood test on your own, it's unlikely you'll get it covered. Tests not covered may include those for employment purposes, wellness screenings, or routine monitoring without medical necessity.
The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $202.90 for 2026, an increase of $17.90 from $185.00 in 2025. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $283 in 2026, an increase of $26 from the annual deductible of $257 in 2025.
At any point during your first year in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch back to Original Medicare without penalty for the following reasons: If you left Medigap for Medicare Advantage, your trial right allows you to switch back to your Medigap policy.