Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: What Kansas City Can Change by March 31
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — If you signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan last fall and something already feels off — the pharmacy is out of network, your doctor isn't listed, the drug tier changed — you still have time to fix it. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31, and it gives people already in an Advantage plan one clean chance to switch course before the year locks in.
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Key takeaways
- The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 – March 31 and is only for people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1.
- During this window you can switch to a different Advantage plan or drop your Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare (with a stand-alone Part D plan if you need drug coverage).
- You cannot use this period to join an Advantage plan for the first time or to switch from one stand-alone Part D plan to another.
- Kansas City is in Wyandotte County, where a wide range of Advantage plans are offered; medicare.gov's Plan Finder is the official place to compare them.
This window is narrower than the fall Annual Enrollment Period, and it has stricter rules about who can use it and what they can do. Here's what Kansas City residents should know before the March 31 deadline.
Who this period is actually for
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, often shortened to MA-OEP, is designed for people who are already in a Medicare Advantage plan as of January 1. If that's you, and the plan you picked during fall enrollment isn't working out, this is your reset button.
If you're on Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) with or without a stand-alone Part D drug plan, this period is not for you. You'd generally have to wait for the next Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) or qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
What you can change between January 1 and March 31
According to CMS, during MA-OEP you can:
- Switch from your current Medicare Advantage plan to a different Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage).
- Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare. If you do this, you can also join a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan.
You can only make one change during this window, and it takes effect the first of the month after the plan gets your request.
What you cannot do in this window
This is where people trip up. During MA-OEP you cannot:
- Join a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time if you're currently on Original Medicare.
- Switch from one stand-alone Part D plan to another stand-alone Part D plan.
- Enroll in or drop a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy under MA-OEP rules — Medigap has its own separate rules, and in most cases medical underwriting can apply outside your initial guaranteed-issue window.
If you go back to Original Medicare after having been in an Advantage plan, and you want to add a Medigap policy, ask questions before you make the switch. A Medigap insurer may be allowed to review your health history, and that can affect whether you qualify or what you'll pay.
Local context for Kansas City
Kansas City is in Wyandotte County, where Medicare beneficiaries have access to a broad slate of Medicare Advantage plans from multiple carriers, along with stand-alone Part D drug plans. Plan availability, provider networks and drug formularies are set at the county level, so two neighbors in different ZIP codes can technically see the same choices — but the doctors and hospitals in-network for each plan may differ.
The official comparison tool is the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov. It lets you enter your prescriptions and preferred pharmacies and see how plans in Wyandotte County stack up on total estimated cost, not just premium.
2027 rules worth knowing before you switch
A few program-wide changes take effect for 2027 and can affect how you weigh a plan change:
- Part D out-of-pocket cap: Prescription drug costs under Part D are capped at $2,100 out of pocket in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027.
- Part D deductible: The maximum allowable Part D deductible is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027.
- No more coverage gap: The old "donut hole" was eliminated in 2025. Part D now has three phases instead of four.
- Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: You can choose to spread your out-of-pocket drug costs across the calendar year in monthly payments instead of paying at the pharmacy counter. It doesn't lower the total, but it can smooth cash flow.
- IRMAA: Higher-income beneficiaries may pay an income-related surcharge on Part B and Part D. For single filers, IRMAA generally starts above $109,000 in income for 2026.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most frequent MA-OEP missteps we hear about:
1. Assuming you can shop your way into a first Advantage plan now. You can't — that had to happen by December 7 or through a Special Enrollment Period. 2. Switching plans without checking whether your doctors, hospital and pharmacy are in the new plan's network. 3. Dropping an Advantage plan for Original Medicare without a plan for drug coverage or a realistic look at Medigap eligibility. 4. Waiting until late March. Plans need time to process the change, and questions to 1-800-MEDICARE or your local SHIP office get harder to schedule as the deadline nears.
Where to get unbiased help
For personalized guidance in Kansas, contact SHICK (Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas), the state's SHIP program, at 1-800-860-5260. SHIP counselors are trained volunteers who don't sell insurance.
You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or use the Plan Finder at medicare.gov.
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 Wyandotte County
(MA penetration in Wyandotte 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 use the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period to join an Advantage plan for the first time?
How many changes can I make between January 1 and March 31?
If I go back to Original Medicare, can I automatically get a Medigap plan?
When does my new plan actually start?
- CMS — Medicare enrollment periods (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.
Also for Kansas City
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This page was last updated: September 30, 2026.