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Can I drop my Medicare Part D plan and change to a Medicare Advantage plan?

Category: Changing Medicare Part D Plans
Updated: Aug, 28 2023


Yes, during a Medicare enrollment period.  After your Initial Enrollment Period, any Medicare beneficiary can change their Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan during the annual Open Enrollment Period (also known as the Annual Enrollment Period) that begins on October 15th and continues through December 7th.  Otherwise, you must qualify for a different enrollment period, such as a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

Selecting a Medicare plan during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

If you are newly eligible for Medicare, and in your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), then you have one opportunity to join a Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan.  Your chosen Medicare plan will begin the first day of the month of Medicare eligibility or the first day of the month after enrollment if you enroll into a plan after the start of your eligibility month.

For example, if you are eligible for Medicare starting on August 1st, you can enroll into a Medicare Part D plan during May, June, or July with coverage beginning August 1st.  However, if you enroll into a Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan in August, September, October, or November, then coverage will begin on the first day of the month after enrollment.  In our example, your coverage will continue through December and you will have an opportunity during the OEP to change your Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan for the following year.

Changing plans during the annual Open Enrollment Period

If you are within the annual Open Enrollment Period -- often called OEP or AEP -- you are allowed to choose another Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan starting October 15th through the December 7th deadline.  When you enroll in a different Medicare plan, your existing Medicare plan will be automatically replaced with your new plan selection.  Coverage for any Medicare plan chosen during the OEP will begin on January 1st of the next year.  If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, you can still add Medicare plan coverage during the OEP.

Changing or dropping Medicare Advantage plans using the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP)

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can use the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP) to change your Medicare Advantage plan or to drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare Part A and Part B - and you will have the opportunity to select a stand alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP).  The MA-OEP begins on January 1 and continues through March 31, with plan changes taking effect on the first day of the month following the plan change.  Note that you cannot use the MA-OEP to change your Medicare Part D plan (PDP) or drop your Part D plan and join a Medicare Advantage plan.

Changing Medicare plans using an Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

You are also able to change your Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan outside the fall OEP, MA-OEP, or your IEP if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).  SEPs are not automatically granted, instead you must meet one of the specific situations to take advantage of an SEP.

For instance, if you are eligible for the Medicare Part D financial Extra Help program, you can change your Medicare plan coverage once per quarter during the first three quarters of the year.  You are also granted a Special Enrollment Period if you move outside of your plan's service area, lose your Medicare plan coverage through no fault of your own, are enrolled in a low-performing Medicare plan, wish to join a 5-star Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan, or a number of other reasons.

You can click here to read more about some other popular Special Enrollment Periods.

What Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D plans are available in your area?

You can review your Medicare Part D plan options using our Part D Plan Finder: PDP-Finder.com and or Medicare Advantage Plan Finder: MA-Finder.com.  To compare coverage for your medications, go to Q1Rx.com.  Or, you can review the formulary (drug list) for any stand-alone Medicare Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan (MAPD) using Formulary-Browser.com.

You can also find the "Browse Formulary" link on the results list within our Medicare Part D Plan Finder (PDP-Finder.com/CA) or the Medicare Advantage Plan Finder (MA-Finder.com/90210).





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  • The Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plan data on our site comes directly from Medicare and is subject to change.
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    "We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options."
  • When enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.
  • Medicare beneficiaries with higher incomes may be required to pay both a Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). Read more on IRMAA.
  • Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage (MAPDs) are considered Medicare Part D plans and members with higher incomes may be subject to the Medicare Part D Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), just as members in stand-alone Part D plans. In certain situations, you can appeal IRMAA.
  • You must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. Members may enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan only during specific times of the year. Contact the Medicare plan for more information.
  • If you are enrolled in a Medicare plan with Part D prescription drug coverage, you may be eligible for financial Extra Help to assist with the payment of your prescription drug premiums and drug purchases. To see if you qualify for Extra Help, call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov; the Social Security Office at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users should call, 1-800-325-0778; or your state Medicaid Office.
  • Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-Star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next.
  • A Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service plan (PFFS) is not a Medicare supplement plan. Providers who do not contract with the plan are not required to see you except in an emergency.
  • Disclaimer for Institutional Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone with Medicare who meets the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) level of care and resides in a nursing home.
  • Disclaimer for Dual Eligible (Medicare/Medicaid) Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. Premiums, co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details.
  • Disclaimer for Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone with Medicare who has been diagnosed with the plan specific Chronic Condition.
  • Medicare MSA Plans combine a high deductible Medicare Advantage Plan and a trust or custodial savings account (as defined and/or approved by the IRS). The plan deposits money from Medicare into the account. You can use this money to pay for your health care costs, but only Medicare-covered expenses count toward your deductible. The amount deposited is usually less than your deductible amount, so you generally have to pay out-of-pocket before your coverage begins.
  • Medicare MSA Plans do not cover prescription drugs. If you join a Medicare MSA Plan, you can also join any separate (stand-alone) Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
  • There are additional restrictions to join an MSA plan, and enrollment is generally for a full calendar year unless you meet certain exceptions. Those who disenroll during the calendar year will owe a portion of the account deposit back to the plan. Contact the plan provider for additional information.
  • Medicare beneficiaries may enroll through the CMS Medicare Online Enrollment Center located at www.medicare.gov.
  • Medicare beneficiaries can file a complaint with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by calling 1-800-MEDICARE 24 hours a day/7 days or using the medicare.gov site. Beneficiaries can appoint a representative by submitting CMS Form-1696.