Medicare Advantage

Bellevue Medicare: What You Can Actually Change Jan. 1–March 31

Bellevue, Neb. — If you signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan last fall and something already feels off — a doctor who isn't in network, a drug that costs more than you expected, or a plan that just doesn't fit — you get one more shot to adjust. It's called the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, and it runs January 1 through March 31.

This window is different from the fall Annual Enrollment Period. It's narrower in who it helps and what it lets you do, but for Bellevue residents who feel stuck with a plan choice, it can be a real second chance.

Who this window is for

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (often shortened to MA-OEP) is only for people who are already in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1. If you're on Original Medicare — Parts A and B, with or without a stand-alone Part D drug plan — this window doesn't apply to you.

If you turn 65 later in the year and enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time, you also get a similar three-month window after your plan starts, called the new-enrollee OEP.

What you can change between January 1 and March 31

During this window, you can do one of the following:

• 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 drug plan.

That's it. You get one change, and the new coverage starts on the first day of the month after your plan receives the request.

What you cannot do during this window

The MA-OEP is not a do-over for every Medicare choice. During January 1 through March 31, you cannot:

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan (you had to do that during fall Annual Enrollment).
• Join a stand-alone Part D drug plan if you're staying on a Medicare Advantage plan.
• Switch from one stand-alone Part D plan to another if you're on Original Medicare.

Also worth knowing: leaving Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare does not automatically guarantee you a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy. Outside of your initial Medigap open enrollment or a special right, insurers in Nebraska can use medical underwriting. It's worth asking about that before you drop your plan.

Bellevue and Sarpy County: what's available

Bellevue is in Sarpy County, where Medicare beneficiaries typically have a wide range of Medicare Advantage plans and stand-alone Part D plans offered by several carriers. Availability is set at the county level, so two neighbors in Bellevue see the same list of plan options. You can see the current list for your ZIP code using the Plan Finder tool at medicare.gov.

How to decide whether to make a change

A few honest questions can help you sort this out:

• Are your doctors and hospitals in network? If you've already gotten a surprise bill or a "not covered" letter, that's a strong signal to look again.
• Are your prescriptions on the plan's formulary? The Part D annual out-of-pocket cap on covered drugs 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 coverage gap ("donut hole") is gone — Part D now has three phases. If drug costs are the issue, the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread those costs across the year in monthly payments.
• Is the plan type wrong for your life? HMOs, PPOs, and Special Needs Plans work differently. If your current plan's rules don't match how you actually use care, a different structure may fit better.
• Has your income changed? IRMAA surcharges on Part B and Part D begin above $109,000 for single filers in 2026. Life events like retirement can lower what you owe — you can appeal IRMAA with Social Security.

Where to get unbiased help

You don't have to sort this out alone, and you don't have to rely on a TV commercial.

• Medicare.gov has the official Plan Finder and side-by-side plan comparisons.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) is available 24/7.
• Nebraska SHIP — the state's Senior Health Insurance Information Program — offers free, one-on-one counseling from trained volunteers who don't sell insurance. This is often the best local resource for Bellevue residents who want a second set of eyes.