Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) 2026
Most people are familiar with Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period in the fall, but there’s a second window each year that many overlook. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) runs from January 1 through March 31, and it gives anyone already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan a chance to make a change if things aren’t working the way they expected.
What Is OEP?
OEP is fairly straightforward. If you begin the year in a Medicare Advantage plan and realize it isn’t the right fit, you can switch to another Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare. Whatever you choose takes effect on the first day of the next month, so you won’t see any gaps in coverage.
A few things are important to keep in mind. OEP only applies if you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan. If you’re on Original Medicare alone, you’ll need to wait until the fall’s Annual Enrollment Period or qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. And if you do return to Original Medicare, you can add a Part D prescription drug plan. Just be aware that Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans may require medical underwriting unless you qualify for certain protections.
Remember, OEP allows one change, so the goal is simply to choose the plan that fits you best.
Why People Change Plans During OEP
It’s not unusual to select a plan during AEP, start using it in January, and quickly learn it’s not what you expected. Maybe your first doctor’s visit wasn’t covered the way you thought. Maybe a refill at the pharmacy cost more than you budgeted. Sometimes a network feels tighter once you start using it. Other times the benefits that looked appealing in the fall aren’t very helpful in practice.
A few questions can help you evaluate how your plan is working for you so far:
- Has getting care been straightforward?
- Are your doctors and specialists still in-network?
- Do your prescription costs match what you expected?
- Does the plan feel like a good fit for your needs this year?
If you find yourself hesitating as you answer, it may be worth looking at other options during OEP.
Take a Fresh Look at Your Provider Network
One of the most common surprises people run into early in the year is learning that a long-time doctor or clinic is no longer in-network. Networks can shift from year to year, even if your plan name stays the same. Changes don’t need to be dramatic to affect your care—losing access to one specialist you rely on can be enough to reconsider your options.
If you’re unsure whether your Welcome Health clinician is covered under your current plan, we’re happy to help you find out.
Review Your Prescription Costs
Prescription coverage often changes at the start of a new plan year. Your medications may still be covered, but the tier or copay may have shifted. Even small adjustments can add up over time if you take medications regularly.
If you’ve already noticed that your pharmacy bills feel higher than expected, another Medicare Advantage plan may offer better support.
Consider Additional Benefits
Many Medicare Advantage plans offer benefits beyond what Original Medicare covers—things like dental care, vision exams and eyeglasses, hearing aids, transportation, over-the-counter allowances, or wellness and fitness programs. These benefits can vary widely from one plan to another, and they sometimes change each year.
If you’ve found that a benefit you counted on is no longer included, or your needs around dental, vision, or hearing have changed, OEP is a good time to see what else is available.
Think About What You Need This Year
Your needs today may not be the same as they were when you chose your plan in the fall. You may now be seeing a new specialist, managing a new diagnosis, or taking different medications. Your financial situation or caregiving responsibilities may have shifted. Some people even spend more time in another area during part of the year, which affects which networks work best for them.
OEP gives you room to reset and choose a plan that lines up with your goals for the year ahead.
A Quick Note on What You Can and Cannot Do
OEP is intentionally limited to keep things simple. You can make one change: switch Medicare Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare, with the option to join a Part D plan if you do. What you can’t do is join a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time or switch standalone drug plans unless you’re leaving Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare.
For most people, the decision comes down to a simple question: stay with the plan you have, or find one that fits better?
Be Careful About Unsolicited Advice
As with every Medicare enrollment period, some marketing can feel aggressive or confusing. If someone pressures you to make a quick decision or asks for personal information you didn’t expect to share, take a step back. It’s always okay to verify the source or ask more questions before making a change.
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is an opportunity to make sure your coverage actually supports your health. Not just in theory, but in your day-to-day life. If something about your plan isn’t working, you don’t have to wait a full year to do something about it.
Welcome Health is here to help you understand your options and find coverage that makes sense for you. If you’d like to talk through your plan or explore alternatives, we’re here to guide you.
Choose Your Health
At Welcome Health, we believe that the right healthcare for older people is whole-person, individualized care that diagnoses and treats disease within the larger, equally important context of the values, preferences, and goals of each person.
In addition to providing primary care that specializes in aging, Welcome Health offers unique resources, programs, and services all designed to specifically address common challenges older adults experience.
Welcome Health provides home care and primary care services to older people in Orange County through house calls and virtual visits. Visit Welcome Health to learn how healthcare that specializes in senior care can jumpstart your journey towards a happier, healthier life.
Dr. Deena Goldwater VP of Care Delivery
Dr. Deena Goldwater, a cardiologist and geriatrician, trained at one of the nation’s top hospitals and has devoted her career to helping older people manage their health, even when facing multiple chronic conditions.
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