Missed Medicare’s Open Enrollment? What Are Your Options?

• Admin
• 25 Jan 2025

Missed Medicare’s Open Enrollment? What Are Your Options?

Medicare’s Open Enrollment may have ended, but if you missed your chance to switch plans, you still have options. Life can get busy, and your healthcare needs may change. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for another opportunity to change your coverage even though Open Enrollment ended on December 7.

You may be eligible for an additional enrollment period, such as the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

What Is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?

If you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan and didn’t switch plans during Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7), you may be able to do so during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP), which runs from January 1 to March 31.

During this time, you can make a one-time change to a different MA plan if you find one with better benefits, lower costs, or a more suitable network. Your new coverage will begin on the first day of the following month.

Do You Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period?

Outside of the standard enrollment periods, you may still be able to switch plans if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This opportunity is triggered by specific life events, such as:

• You move into a long-term care institution
• You become eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid
• You lose Medicaid eligibility
• You return to the U.S. after living abroad
• You move out of your plan’s service area
• You lose other creditable health coverage (e.g., union or employer-sponsored plan)
• Your Medicare plan loses its contract with Medicare
• You are no longer eligible for your Special Needs Plan (SNP)

The types of changes you can make and the timing of your SEP will depend on your individual circumstances. If you think you qualify, consider speaking with a licensed insurance agent to help compare available plans and choose the one that best suits your needs.

New to Medicare? Understanding Your Initial Enrollment Period

If you’re turning 65 soon, you’ll have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). This period starts 3 months before your birthday month, includes your birthday month, and continues for 3 months afterward.

Most people are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), but you’ll need to actively enroll in Part B (medical insurance). Once enrolled in Parts A and B, you can choose to get your coverage through Original Medicare or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.

MA plans are required to offer the same Part A and B benefits as Original Medicare but often include additional perks like dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage. After enrolling, you’ll have the opportunity to make future changes during Open Enrollment or other eligible periods.