When is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period happens each year from January 1, to March 31. During this time, you can:

• Switch from one MAP to another, or
• Drop your MAP and return to Original Medicare. If you do, you can also sign up for a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP). And, you may also decide to look at your options for a Medigap plan.

Know this: You can only make one change during this period. Your new coverage will begin on the first of the month after your plan gets your request.

What should I think about before changing MAPs?

If you’re thinking about switching to a different MAP, here are some things to consider:

• What are the plan’s costs? Look at the monthly premium, deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, co-pays, and co-insurance amounts. Estimate the total cost of the plan by using our Medicare Comparison Calculator & Worksheet.
• Are your current health care providers in the plan’s network?
• Does the plan provide any out-of-network coverage?
• Are your prescriptions covered? At a cost you can afford? Also check if there are any coverage restrictions, like quantity limits, prior authorization, or step therapy.

Know this: The highest a MAP’s out-of-pocket maximum for medical care can be is $9,250, in 2026, which is separate from the plan’s out-of-pocket maximum for prescription drugs ($2,100 in 2026).

Visit Medicare’s Plan Finder tool to compare your options.

Are There Extra Benefits in Medicare Advantage Plans?

Some MAPs offer extra benefits that Original Medicare does not. These are called “supplemental” or “extra” benefits.

These may include:

• Vision, dental, or hearing care
• Over-the-counter drug coverage
• Fitness (gym) benefits
• Non-emergency transportation costs
• Meals for short periods of time

But not every plan offers every benefit – and there may be rules about who qualifies or how you can use these benefits.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Always read the plan details carefully
• Some benefits may only be available to people with certain health conditions. For example, coverage for things like air filters or carpet cleaning may be offered, but only to people considered “chronically ill” under Medicare rules.
• Some plans offer a Part B premium reduction, which lowers the amount you pay for your Medicare Part B each month. But the amount of the reduction varies by plan. In 2026, among plans offering this benefit, nearly one-third offered a reduction of only $10 or less each month.

What if I want to switch to Original Medicare?

If you decide to drop your MAP and go back to Original Medicare, you may need to make a few other choices.

Add Prescription Drug Coverage

If you need prescription drug coverage, you’ll need to enroll in a PDP. When choosing a PDP, ask:

• What will the plan cost? Look at the plan’s monthly premium, deductible, and out-of-pocket maximum. Also check the co-pays and co-insurance amounts.
• Does the plan cover the prescription drugs you need at a price you can afford?
• Do any of the drugs have coverage restrictions (like quantity limits, prior authorization, or step therapy requirements)?

Know this: The plan’s out-of-pocket maximum for prescription drugs ($2,100 in 2026) is separate from the plan’s out-of-pocket maximum for medical care.

Visit Medicare’s Plan Finder tool to explore PDP options.

Understand out-of-pocket costs for medical care

Unlike MAPs, Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not have a cap on how much you might spend out-of-pocket for medical care.

To help manage these costs, you may be able to buy a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Plan. Medigap plans are sold by private insurance companies.

However:

You may not be able to purchase a Medigap plan during the MAP OEP. It depends on your age and your state’s laws.

Learn more in our Quick Guide to Medigap Plans and Medigap State Laws Chart.

Need More Help?

Navigating Medicare can be confusing, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Triage Cancer has free tools and resources to help you understand your Medicare options and make informed decisions. Visit our Medicare Resources to learn more.

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