Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: What Hilo Can Change by March 31, 2027
HILO, Hawaii — If you signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan last fall and it isn't fitting the way you hoped, you have a second window to fix it. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31, and it gives people already in a Medicare Advantage plan one chance to make a change without waiting until next fall.
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Key takeaways
- The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31 and is only for people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.
- You can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or drop your plan and return to Original Medicare, with the option to add a stand-alone Part D drug plan.
- You can only make one change during this window, and the change takes effect the first day of the following month.
- In 2027, Part D out-of-pocket drug costs are capped at $2,400, and the Part D deductible cannot exceed $700.
This period is narrower than the Annual Enrollment Period that ended December 7, but for Hilo residents who found a new doctor isn't in-network, or whose prescriptions aren't covered the way they expected, it's an important reset.
Who can use this window
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is for people who were already in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1. If you are still in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and want to join a Medicare Advantage plan now, this window does not apply to you — you would generally need to wait for the fall Annual Enrollment Period or qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Newly eligible beneficiaries who enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during their Initial Enrollment Period can also use this window to make one change.
What you can change between Jan. 1 and March 31
According to CMS, during this period you may:
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage).
- Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. If you do, you can also join a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
You can only make one change during this window. Whatever you choose takes effect on the first day of the month after the plan gets your request.
What you cannot do right now
This window is not a free-for-all. You cannot:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time.
- Join or switch stand-alone Part D drug plans if you are staying in Original Medicare without a plan change from Medicare Advantage.
- Buy or switch a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy with guaranteed issue rights in most cases — Medigap has its own rules, and medical underwriting may apply after your initial window closed.
If you are unsure which bucket you're in, call 1-800-MEDICARE or Hawaii SHIP before the deadline.
Why Hilo residents may re-check their plans for 2027
A few program-level changes for 2027 are worth knowing as you weigh a switch:
- Part D out-of-pocket cap. Annual out-of-pocket spending on covered Part D drugs is capped at $2,100 in 2026. This applies whether your drug coverage comes through a Medicare Advantage plan or a stand-alone Part D plan.
- Part D deductible. Plans cannot set a Part D deductible higher than $615 in 2026.
- No more donut hole. The old coverage gap was eliminated in 2025, so Part D now works in three phases.
- Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. You can opt in to spread your drug costs across the calendar year in monthly bills instead of paying big amounts at the pharmacy counter.
- IRMAA. Higher-income beneficiaries pay income-related surcharges on Part B and Part D; for a single filer in 2026, these begin above $109,000 in income.
Hilo is in Hawaii County, where beneficiaries have multiple Medicare Advantage options to compare. Plan availability and networks are set at the county level, so two neighbors in Hilo see the same menu of plans, but the right fit depends on your doctors, hospitals, and prescriptions.
How to compare before you switch
Before you make your one allowed change, take a few minutes to:
1. Pull out your list of current medications, doses, and preferred pharmacy. 2. Confirm which providers at Hilo Medical Center, Bay Clinic, or your regular clinic you want to keep seeing. 3. Use the Plan Finder at medicare.gov to compare plans in Hawaii County side by side. 4. Ask about Star Ratings, which CMS publishes to show plan quality on measures like customer service and drug safety. Ratings can inform your choice, but they're one factor among many.
For free, unbiased help, Hawaii's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), known locally as Sage PLUS, offers one-on-one counseling at no cost.
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 Hawaii County
(MA penetration in Hawaii 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
When does the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period end?
Can I use this window to join Medicare Advantage for the first time?
If I drop my Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare, can I get a drug plan?
Where can I get local help in Hilo?
- CMS — Medicare enrollment periods (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.
Also for Hilo
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This page was last updated: September 30, 2026.