Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: Your Jan. 1–March 31 Window
GERMANTOWN, Md. — For Medicare Advantage members here in Montgomery County, a second chance is already on the calendar. From January 1 through March 31, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) gives people who are already in a Medicare Advantage plan one clean shot to change course if their fall pick isn't working out. It is not a do-over for everyone, and the deadlines around it matter. Miss the window, and most people wait until next fall's Annual Enrollment Period to make another move.
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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 on January 1.
- During MA OEP you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or drop your plan and return to Original Medicare (with a stand-alone Part D plan if you need drug coverage).
- You get one change during this window, and it takes effect the first day of the month after the plan receives your request.
- If you miss both the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15–Dec. 7) and MA OEP, you generally must wait for the next AEP unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Who this window is actually for
The MA OEP is narrower than a lot of people think. It is designed for one group: people who are already in a Medicare Advantage plan as of January 1. If that is you, and the plan you chose during the fall Annual Enrollment Period isn't fitting — maybe your doctor isn't in the network, or a medication you take is handled differently than you expected — you can adjust between January 1 and March 31.
If you are still on Original Medicare on January 1, this window is not for you. You cannot use MA OEP to jump from Original Medicare into a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time. That move belongs to the fall Annual Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period.
What you can and can't change
During MA OEP, you can:
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan.
- Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare. If you do that, you can also add a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan.
You cannot use this period to join a stand-alone Part D plan if you are staying on Medicare Advantage, and you cannot make a second switch. It is one change, and then the window closes for you — even if it is still February.
How the dates line up
Two enrollment windows sit back-to-back, and it helps to see them together:
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7. This is the big one. Almost anyone with Medicare can change Advantage plans, change Part D plans, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Changes take effect January 1.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP): January 1 – March 31. A narrower do-over for current Medicare Advantage members only.
A change made during MA OEP takes effect the first day of the month after your new plan processes the enrollment. If you switch on February 10, for example, coverage typically starts March 1.
What happens if you miss the window
If March 31 passes and you haven't made a change, your current Medicare Advantage plan stays in place for the rest of the year. In most cases, your next chance to switch is the Annual Enrollment Period in the fall, with coverage starting January 1 of the following year.
There are exceptions. Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) can open up if you move out of your plan's service area, lose other coverage, qualify for Extra Help or Medicaid, or if your plan's contract with Medicare changes. Germantown residents who move — even within Montgomery County to an address a plan doesn't serve — should ask about an SEP right away, because the clock on those is short.
Getting ready before you switch
A few steps make MA OEP go smoothly:
- Read the "Annual Notice of Change" your plan mailed in the fall. It spells out what is different for the current year.
- Check that your doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies are still in network.
- Make sure the medications you take are still covered and handled the way you expect.
- Compare options on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder using your ZIP code and drug list.
Germantown sits in Montgomery County, where a wide range of Medicare Advantage plans are offered. Sorting through them is easier when you start from what you actually use — your prescriptions, your providers, and how often you travel — rather than from a plan brochure.
Where to get unbiased help
You do not have to do this alone, and you should not rely on a single sales call.
- Medicare.gov — official plan comparisons and enrollment.
- 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24/7.
- Maryland SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program), the local counseling service that gives free, one-on-one help. Montgomery County residents can reach SHIP through the Maryland Department of Aging.
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 Montgomery County
(MA penetration in Montgomery 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 MA OEP?
When does my new coverage start if I switch in February?
What if I miss both AEP and MA OEP?
- CMS — Medicare enrollment periods (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.
Also for Germantown
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This page was last updated: September 2026.