Tag: Special Enrollment Period

Categories
Information Medicare Advantage Plan Changes

What to Do If Your Medicare Advantage Plan Exits Your County

If you’ve received a notice that your Medicare Advantage plan is leaving your county at the end of the year, don’t panic — but do act quickly. Millions of seniors have faced similar disruptions in 2026 as insurers reshuffle their offerings.

When a plan exits, you’re granted a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). You can either enroll in another Medicare Advantage plan that serves your area, or return to Original Medicare and purchase a Medigap policy (with guaranteed-issue rights in many cases). The key is to compare your options before the SEP window closes.

Visit Medicare.gov to see all plans available in your ZIP code, or call 1-800-MEDICARE for free, unbiased counseling through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

Compare plans at Medicare.gov

Categories
Information medicare Medicare Plans

Medicare OEP vs AEP: When You Can Actually Switch Plans in 2026

Medicare has multiple enrollment periods with different rules, and confusing them can leave beneficiaries locked into the wrong plan for months.

The Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7, during which beneficiaries can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, or change Part D plans.

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1 to March 31, but is more limited — beneficiaries can only switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare.

Outside these windows, Special Enrollment Periods may apply for beneficiaries who move, lose employer coverage, or qualify for a Special Needs Plan. Understanding which enrollment period applies can save beneficiaries from costly mistakes.

View enrollment periods on Medicare.gov.