Medicare Advantage

One Medicare Advantage Do-Over: Use It Before March 31

People in Taylor can choose from 86 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, against 90 this year. 16 of this year’s plans are gone, 12 are new to Wayne County, and 37 that continue have changed their premium, deductible, plan type or name, 5 of them under a new name.

TAYLOR, Mich. — If you signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan last fall and now the doctor network, drug list, or referral rules don't feel right, you still have time to make one change. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31, and it gives current Advantage members a single chance each year to switch course without waiting until next fall.

This window is often confused with the Annual Enrollment Period that ends December 7, 2026. It's a different tool, with different rules — and using it correctly can help you avoid being locked in for the rest of 2027.

Who can use this window — and who can't

The January-to-March window is designed for one group: people who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan as of January 1. If that's you, you get one chance to change your mind.

If you're on Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and don't have an Advantage plan, this window is not for you. You'd need to wait until the fall Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) or qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

What changes you can make

During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, you're allowed to do one of the following:

• Switch from your current Medicare Advantage plan to a different Medicare Advantage plan.
• Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. If you do this, you can also join a stand-alone Part D drug plan.

That's it. You can't use this window to switch from one stand-alone Part D plan to another, and you can't use it to join Medicare Advantage for the first time if you were on Original Medicare on January 1.

You also only get one change during this three-month window. If you switch plans in January and then don't like the new one in March, you generally can't switch again until fall.

Why people use it

The most common reason is a mismatch that only shows up once the year starts — a preferred doctor or hospital isn't in the network after all, a prescription costs more than expected, or prior authorization rules are stricter than the plan brochure suggested. Some people also realize they'd rather have the flexibility of Original Medicare with a stand-alone drug plan.

Taylor is in Wayne County, where residents have a wide range of Medicare Advantage and Part D options to compare. For 2027, Wayne County has 81 Medicare Advantage plans from 16 carriers, compared with 90 plans from 16 carriers in 2026. Because plan details, provider networks, and drug lists can change each year, a plan that worked well in 2026 may look different in 2027.

2027 numbers worth knowing

Whether you're switching or staying put, a few program-level figures for 2027 are worth keeping in mind:

• The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 for 2026. Once your covered drug spending reaches that amount, you pay $0 for covered drugs the rest of the year.
• The Part D maximum deductible is $700 in 2027, though individual plans may set a lower one.
• The old "donut hole" coverage gap was eliminated in 2025, so Part D now has three phases instead of four.
• The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your drug costs across the year in monthly payments instead of paying big bills at the pharmacy counter.
• IRMAA income-related surcharges on Part B and Part D start above $109,000 in income for a single filer (2026).

Common mistakes to avoid

A few things trip people up every year:

• Assuming you can make unlimited switches. You get one change during this window.
• Dropping Advantage without lining up drug coverage. If you return to Original Medicare and don't enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan, you could face a late-enrollment penalty later.
• Waiting until March 31. New coverage starts the first of the month after your enrollment. Waiting means more weeks under a plan you've already decided isn't working.
• Confusing this window with Medigap rules. Returning to Original Medicare doesn't automatically give you the right to buy a Medigap policy at the best rate. Medigap has its own enrollment protections, and in Michigan you may want to talk with a counselor before making the jump.

Where to get unbiased help

Before you make a change, check the details straight from the source:

• Medicare.gov has the Plan Finder tool and current rules on enrollment periods.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) is available 24/7.
• Michigan MMAP is the state's SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program). Counselors give free, one-on-one help and don't sell plans. You can reach MMAP at 1-800-803-7174.