Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage Switch Window in Wichita: Jan 1–Mar 31

People in Wichita can choose from 31 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, against 37 this year. Eleven of this year’s plans are gone, 5 are new to Sedgwick County, and 16 that continue have changed their premium, deductible, plan type or name, 7 of them under a new name.

WICHITA, Kan. — From January 1 through March 31, people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan get a second chance to make one change. If your plan didn't turn out to be the right fit after the Annual Enrollment Period ended December 7, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) gives you a limited window to switch — and Wichita residents have real options to sort through.

Here's a plain-English guide to what you can and can't do during MA OEP, and where to get free local help before the deadline.

What MA OEP is — and who it's for

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is only for people who are already in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan on January 1. If that's you, you can make one change between January 1 and March 31.

If you're in Original Medicare on January 1, this window does not apply to you. Your main chance to join a Medicare Advantage plan is the Annual Enrollment Period each fall (October 15 – December 7), or during a Special Enrollment Period if you qualify.

What you can change

During MA OEP, you can:

• Switch from your current Medicare Advantage plan to a different Medicare Advantage plan.
• Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
• If you return to Original Medicare, join a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan.

You get one change. Once you make it, the new coverage begins the first day of the month after your plan gets your request.

What you cannot do in this window

MA OEP is narrower than the fall Annual Enrollment Period. You cannot:

• Switch from Original Medicare into a Medicare Advantage plan.
• Join a stand-alone Part D drug plan if you're staying on Original Medicare and weren't already switching away from an MA plan.
• Make multiple changes — only one switch counts.

For those moves, you generally have to wait until the next Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, such as moving out of your plan's service area.

Why Wichita residents may want to take another look

Wichita is in Sedgwick County, where a number of Medicare Advantage plans from multiple carriers are offered. That's a lot to sort through, and it's common for people to realize after January 1 that their new plan's provider network, pharmacy list, or referral rules don't match how they actually use care.

A few things worth checking before you decide to switch:

• Are your doctors and preferred Wichita-area hospitals still in network?
• Are your regular prescriptions covered, and at which pharmacies?
• Does the plan require referrals or prior authorization for services you use?
• If you take costly medications, the Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027, and the maximum Part D deductible is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027. The old coverage gap ("donut hole") was eliminated in 2025. The optional Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs across the year.

How to make a change

You can compare plans and enroll at medicare.gov using the Plan Finder tool, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For free, unbiased, one-on-one help in Wichita, contact the Kansas Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) program, the state's SHIP. Counselors can walk through your options with no sales pressure. You can reach SHICK at 1-800-860-5260.