January has a funny way of making things feel urgent.
Credit card bills arrive. Holiday décor comes down. And for many people on Medicare Advantage, the reality of their new plan starts to sink in.
- Maybe your prescriptions cost more than expected.
- Maybe your doctor is suddenly “out of network.”
- Maybe that OTC allowance looked better in the commercial than it does in real life.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone — and you’re not stuck. But your options are limited, and understanding those limits matters. That’s where Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MAOEP) comes in.
What Is Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment?
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment runs January 1 through March 31 every year.
It applies only to people who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.
This is not a do-over of Fall Open Enrollment. It’s more like a safety valve — a chance to make a course correction if your current plan isn’t working the way you expected.
What You Can Change During Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
During this window, you’re allowed to make one of the following changes:
✔ Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare
You can leave your Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare (Part A & Part B).
If you choose this option, you may also:
- Add a Part D prescription drug plan
-
Apply for a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan
(Approval depends on health and underwriting rules)
✔ Switch from Medicare Advantage to a different Medicare Advantage plan
This includes:
- Moving from an HMO to a PPO (or vice versa)
- Changing carriers
- Choosing a plan with different drug coverage or networks
That’s it. One change. One direction.
What You Can’t Change in January
This is where frustration often shows up — because the rules aren’t intuitive.
During Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment, you cannot:
- Switch from Original Medicare into Medicare Advantage
- Add benefits back to your existing plan
- Jump between multiple Advantage plans
- Undo a change once it’s made
That’s why it’s important to slow down and make sure the move actually solves the problem you’re having.
Why People Revisit Their Medicare Advantage Plan in January
Most January calls sound surprisingly similar.
Here are the issues we hear most often:
- Prescription costs are higher than expected
- Doctors or hospitals are no longer in-network
- OTC or dental benefits were reduced
- Copays add up faster than anticipated
- The plan “looked great on paper” in the fall
None of these mean you chose a bad plan.
They usually mean the plan changed — or your needs did.
Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement: Why January Matters
January is often when people start asking bigger questions, like:
“Is Medicare Advantage actually right for me?”
There’s no universal answer. Some people love their Advantage plans. Others realize they want:
- Broader provider access
- More predictable costs
- Less reliance on networks and prior authorizations
January is one of the few times you’re allowed to step back, evaluate, and change direction if needed.
What matters most is understanding:
- Your medical usage
- Your tolerance for variability in costs
- Your access to providers you trust
Common Mistakes to Avoid During MAOEP
A few missteps can turn a frustrating situation into a costly one:
- Doing nothing and hoping the plan “gets better”
- Switching plans without checking doctors or medications
- Assuming benefits are the same across plans
- Calling the insurance company instead of an independent advisor
Medicare decisions are permanent in ways most people don’t realize. That’s why clarity matters more than speed.
A Final Thought
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment isn’t about chasing perks or reacting to ads.
It’s about making sure your coverage still fits your life — now that the real details are visible.
If you’re comfortable with your plan, great.
If you’re not, January gives you a chance to ask better questions and make an informed adjustment.
If you’d like help reviewing your current plan or understanding what your January options look like, we’re happy to walk through it with you — even if the answer is “you’re right where you should be.”
No pressure. No obligation. Just clarity.