Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Begins on January 1

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment begins on January 1 and runs through March 31. If you choose to switch plans, you can make changes to your Medicare insurance elections during this period. Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, is private health insurance that has become so popular that more than half of seniors eligible for traditional Medicare now opt for this alternative, according to KFF. However, the pace of enrollment slowed in 2025.

If you're already an Advantage enrollee, there are only two times a year — spring and fall — when you can switch from one plan to another or return to original Medicare.

If you’re not already on an Advantage plan, however, you’ll need to sign up during the fall Medicare open enrollment period. In addition, you can only join, switch or drop an Advantage plan or a Medicare drug plan (Part D) during open enrollment, according to Medicare. Even if you're happy with your plan, experts say the open enrollment period is a good time to review which Medicare Advantage plan is right for you.

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Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment tips

Spring enrollment starts January 1 and runs until March 31, while fall enrollment runs concurrently with Medicare's open enrollment period, from October 15 to December 7.

The best plan will depend on each individual's needs. Recently, a number of the large insurers that offer Advantage plans have reduced the number of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans they offer and have curtailed services in some markets.

According to Medicare Resources, which provides consumer information about Medicare, you should consider changing your coverage in the following instances:

• Your preferred providers or hospitals are no longer in-network.
• The prescription drugs you need have changed tiers and are now more expensive.
• You find cheaper plans when you compare premiums and drug costs among the various Advantage plans.
• Your plan does not offer the perks (like dental, vision or acupuncture) that matter most to you.

Advantage plan costs

Many Advantage plans have monthly premiums, which can vary widely. While many Advantage beneficiaries enroll in zero-premium plans, some select plans with higher premiums that have more favorable out-of-pocket costs, or because they want to be in a specific provider's network. The average monthly premium will be $14.00 in 2026, down $2.40 from $16.40 in 2025.

Advantage enrollees who move outside of their plan's service area must enroll in a plan within their new service area.

In addition, while Advantage enrollment is up, growth is slowing as the marketplace is at an inflection point, according to a report by healthcare advisory firm Chartis. While the growth trend will likely continue, Advantage also faces regulatory scrutiny and other headwinds.

Advantage plan quality

To help you explore options, you can find more information on Medicare Plan Finder, a government website designed to help you search for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans within your zip code. The finder rates available plans in your area using a star system, where five stars are the highest rating. For 2026, there are 18 plans with five-star ratings.

You can also visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for information on plans available in your area.

Read More

• Major Insurers Scale Back Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans for 2026
• What You Will Pay for Medicare in 2026
• Medicare Premiums 2026: IRMAA Brackets and Surcharges for Parts B and D
• What You Must Know About the Different Parts of Medicare
• Is a Medicare Advantage Plan Right for You?
• Watch Out for the 'Medigap Trap'