Medicare Advantage

How Sebastian Residents Can Adjust Medicare Advantage Jan 1–Mar 31

SEBASTIAN, Fla. — If you signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan last fall and it isn't fitting the way you hoped, you still have time to change course. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31, giving people already enrolled in an Advantage plan one more chance to adjust their coverage for the year.

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Thoughtful older woman at window in Sebastian — illustrating this Medicare guide — Photo: Naitian（Tony） Wang Photo by Naitian（Tony） Wang on Unsplash

By The Medicare Desk · Medicare Education Desk

Published 2026-09-17·Updated 2026-09-29·9 min read·✓ Reviewed·● Sebastian, FL

Key takeaways

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31 each year.
It's only for people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1 — not for those still on Original Medicare.
You can switch to a different Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare (and add a Part D drug plan) — but only one change during this window.
Sebastian is in Indian River County, and any plan comparison uses county-level availability from Medicare.gov.

This window is smaller and more limited than the fall Annual Enrollment Period, but for Sebastian residents who feel stuck with the wrong fit, it can be a welcome reset.

Who can use this window

The January-to-March period is designed for one specific group: people who are already in a Medicare Advantage plan as of January 1. If that's you, you have until March 31 to make a change.

If you're on Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and want to join an Advantage plan for the first time, this window isn't for you. That change generally has to happen during the fall Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) or a Special Enrollment Period if you qualify for one.

What changes you can make

During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, you can:

Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan.
Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. If you do this, you can also join a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan.

You can only use this window once. If you switch plans in January, you can't switch again in March. Choose carefully, and if possible, get help comparing options before you make a move.

What you can't do

This window has real limits. You cannot:

Join a Medicare Advantage plan if you started the year on Original Medicare.
Switch from one stand-alone Part D drug plan to another (if you're on Original Medicare with a drug plan).
Join a stand-alone Part D plan if you're staying on an Advantage plan.

For those changes, you'd typically need to wait for the fall Annual Enrollment Period or qualify for a Special Enrollment Period — for example, if you move out of your plan's service area.

Why Sebastian residents may want to look again

Sebastian is in Indian River County, where Medicare-eligible residents typically have a wide range of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans to choose from. Plans update their networks, drug lists (formularies), and cost-sharing rules every year, so the plan that worked well in 2025 or 2026 may look different in 2027.

A few reasons people use the January-to-March window:

A favorite doctor or specialist is no longer in the plan's network.
A prescription drug was moved to a higher cost tier or dropped from the formulary.
A local hospital or pharmacy is no longer participating.
The plan's rules feel harder to work with than expected.

2027 numbers worth knowing

Even if you don't change plans, a few program-level updates take effect for 2027:

The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026. Once your prescription drug spending hits that amount, you pay $0 for covered Part D drugs the rest of the year.
The Part D deductible can be no more than $615 in 2026.
The old "donut hole" coverage gap was eliminated in 2025, leaving three simpler phases.
The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your yearly drug costs into monthly payments if that helps your budget.
IRMAA surcharges — extra amounts for higher-income enrollees — begin above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026.

Where to get unbiased help

Before switching, it's smart to talk to someone who doesn't earn a commission from your decision. In Florida, the SHINE program (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is the state's SHIP — the free, trained Medicare counseling service. Counselors can sit down with you and compare plans side by side using your own doctors and drug list.

You can also:

Visit Medicare.gov to use the Plan Finder tool.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24/7.
Contact Florida SHINE at 1-800-963-5337.

By the numbers

Medicare Part B premium, 2006–2026

The standard monthly Part B premium has climbed from $88.50 in 2006 to $202.90 in 2026. Hover any point for that year’s premium.

Source: CMS. Standard premium shown; in some hold-harmless years many existing enrollees paid less. Confirm at Medicare.gov.

By the numbers

How people get Medicare in Indian River County

43% are on Medicare Advantage
(MA penetration in Indian River County)

43%

57%

Medicare Advantage Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Original Medicare only

U.S. average

MA penetration from CMS enrollment data; Medigap share is an estimate. U.S. average is about 54% Medicare Advantage. These are area-level figures, not plan-specific.

Key dates

Medicare enrollment periods at a glance

Around your 65thInitial Enrollment PeriodA 7-month window around the month you turn 65 — your first chance to sign up.
October 15 – December 7Annual Enrollment PeriodAnyone with Medicare can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
January 1 – March 31Medicare Advantage Open EnrollmentIf you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change.
January 1 – March 31General Enrollment PeriodFor people who missed their first chance to sign up for Part B.
VariesSpecial Enrollment PeriodTriggered by life events like moving or losing other coverage.

Dates are set by Medicare and apply nationwide. Confirm your personal windows at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.

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See Medicare options serving Sebastian & speak with a licensed agent

Medicare Advantage companies in Indian River County

By local enrollment size · informational, not a ranking

Company	Local enrollment	Plans offered	Local agents
UnitedHealthcareNational	39%of MA enrollment	—	Yes
HumanaNational	29%of MA enrollment	—	Yes
Guidewell Mutual Holding CorporationRegional	8%of MA enrollment	—	Yes
Aetna (CVS Health)National	7%of MA enrollment	—	Yes
Elevance Health (Anthem)National	6%of MA enrollment	—	Yes
Ultimate Healthcare Holdings LLCRegional	3%of MA enrollment	—	Yes

Prefer to talk? Speak with a licensed agent

Enrollment data: CMS Medicare Advantage enrollment by company (county level). Figures shown are illustrative sample data pending the current CMS file. Listed by enrollment size, largest first — this is not a ranking, recommendation, or endorsement of any company or plan.

Provided by licensed insurance partners; MyMedicarePlans.org may be compensated. Not a ranking or endorsement of any plan.

Explore

When can you enroll? An interactive year

JFMAMJJASOND

October 15 – December 7 — anyone with Medicare can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Changes take effect January 1.

Enrollment windows are federal and the same nationwide. Confirm your personal dates at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.

Explore

The parts of Medicare

Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care. Most people pay no premium for Part A.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Annual Enrollment Period and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?

The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 – December 7 and is open to almost everyone with Medicare — you can join, switch, or drop Advantage and Part D plans. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 – March 31 and is only for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan, with more limited change options.

When does my new plan start if I switch in February?

Any change you make during the January-to-March window takes effect the first day of the month after the plan gets your request. So a February switch would generally start March 1.

Can I use this window to buy a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy?

Leaving a Medicare Advantage plan for Original Medicare is allowed during this window, but buying a Medigap policy is a separate process. Outside of your initial Medigap open enrollment, insurers in Florida can use medical underwriting, meaning acceptance and price may depend on your health history. Talk with SHINE or a licensed agent before dropping Advantage coverage.

Do I have to do anything if I'm happy with my plan?

No. If your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan still fits your needs, you don't need to take action. Your coverage continues automatically. For personalized help understanding your options in Indian River County, contact Florida SHINE, visit Medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Sources & further reading

CMS — Medicare enrollment periods (medicare.gov)

For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.

Also for Sebastian

Medicare Supplement in Florida Medicare Part D in Sebastian

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This page was last updated: September 29, 2026.