Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: What Lawrenceville Can Change by March 31
Lawrenceville, Ga. — If you signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan last fall and are having second thoughts, you still have time. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31, and it gives people already enrolled in an Advantage plan a second chance to make one change before spring.
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Key takeaways
- The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31, 2027, and only people already in a Medicare Advantage plan can use it.
- You can switch to a different Advantage plan or drop your Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare (with or without a standalone Part D plan).
- You can only make one change during this window, so review the plan's provider network and drug list before you switch.
- The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027. The maximum Part D deductible is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027.
This window is smaller than the fall Annual Enrollment Period, and the rules about what you can and cannot do are strict. Knowing the difference can help Lawrenceville residents avoid a costly mistake — like accidentally losing drug coverage or missing the deadline entirely.
Who this window is for
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, sometimes called MA-OEP, is only for people who were already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan as of January 1. If you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and want to join an Advantage plan for the first time, this window is not for you — you generally need to wait for the fall Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) or qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Lawrenceville is in Gwinnett County, where a large number of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are offered each year. That means people who are unhappy with what they chose in the fall usually have other options to consider.
What you can change between January 1 and March 31
During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, you may:
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another. This includes moving between plans with or without drug coverage.
- Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. If you do, you can also join a standalone Part D prescription drug plan at the same time.
Only one change is allowed in this window. Once you make it, that's your choice until the next Annual Enrollment Period in the fall — unless a Special Enrollment Period applies.
What you cannot do in this window
This is where people trip up. During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, you cannot:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time.
- Join a standalone Part D plan if you are staying on a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Switch from one standalone Part D plan to another if you have Original Medicare.
If any of those apply to you, the fall AEP is usually the right time to act.
Common mistakes to avoid
Switching without checking the drug list. Every plan has its own formulary. If your medication was covered on your old plan, that doesn't guarantee it's covered on the new one.
Ignoring the provider network. Advantage plans typically use networks. Before switching, confirm that your primary care doctor, specialists, and preferred Gwinnett-area hospitals are in-network.
Forgetting about drug coverage when returning to Original Medicare. If you drop your Advantage plan and don't pick up a standalone Part D plan, you could face a late enrollment penalty later.
Waiting until the last week of March. Paperwork takes time to process. Give yourself room to ask questions and confirm your new coverage.
2027 figures worth knowing
Whether you're switching plans or staying put, a few program-level numbers matter for next year:
- The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,400 in 2027 (it is $2,100 in 2026). Once you hit the cap, you owe nothing more for covered drugs the rest of the year.
- The Part D deductible is capped at $615 in 2026 ($700 in 2027).
- The coverage gap ("donut hole") is gone as of 2025. Part D now has three phases instead of four.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs into monthly payments instead of paying them all at the pharmacy counter.
- IRMAA — the income-related surcharge on Part B and Part D — kicks in above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026.
Where to get unbiased help in Lawrenceville
You do not have to figure this out alone, and you do not have to talk to a salesperson to get answers. Free, unbiased help is available:
- Medicare.gov has a plan finder tool and detailed enrollment period rules.
- 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) is available 24/7.
- GeorgiaCares, Georgia's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), offers free one-on-one counseling to Lawrenceville and Gwinnett County residents.
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 Gwinnett County
(MA penetration in Gwinnett County)
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.
Explore
When can you enroll? An interactive year
Enrollment windows are federal and the same nationwide. Confirm your personal dates at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Explore
The parts of Medicare
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Can I join a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time between January and March?
How many changes can I make during this window?
If I drop my Advantage plan, will I automatically get drug coverage?
Where can Lawrenceville residents get free help comparing options?
- CMS — Medicare enrollment periods (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.
Also for Lawrenceville
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This page was last updated: October 9, 2026.