Medicare Advantage

The Medicare Advantage Reset Period for Concord Enrollees

CONCORD, N.C. — If you signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan last fall and are now second-guessing that choice, you have a short, powerful window to fix it. From January 1 through March 31, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period gives you one chance to change course before your coverage is locked in for the rest of the year.

This period is separate from the fall Annual Enrollment Period, and the rules about what you can and can't do are narrower than many people realize. Here's a plain-English walkthrough.

Who can use this window

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, sometimes called MA OEP, is only for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan as of January 1. If that's you — and you're rethinking last fall's choice after seeing your new card, provider network, or drug list — you qualify.

If you're on Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and want to move into a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time, this is not your window. You'll need to wait for the fall Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) or qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

What you can change

Between January 1 and March 31, you can:

• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another (with or without drug coverage).
• Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare.
• If you return to Original Medicare, add a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan.

You can only make one change during this period. Once your new choice takes effect, that's it until the fall.

What you cannot do

This window does not let you:

• Join a Medicare Advantage plan if you're currently on Original Medicare.
• Switch from one stand-alone Part D drug plan to another if you're on Original Medicare.
• Sign up for a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy with guaranteed acceptance in most cases. Medigap has its own rules, and you may face medical underwriting depending on your situation and state.

Why people use this window

The most common reasons people revisit their choice in January, February, or March:

• A favorite doctor or hospital isn't in the new plan's network.
• A prescription is no longer covered the way it used to be, or moved to a higher tier.
• The plan's rules — like referrals or prior authorization — turned out to be more restrictive than expected.
• Cost-sharing at the pharmacy or specialist looks different in the new year.

Concord is in Cabarrus County, where a number of Medicare Advantage plans are offered by several carriers. If you want a count of what's available in your county, the Plan Finder at medicare.gov is the most reliable place to check.

A few 2027 numbers worth knowing

Even if you're happy with your Advantage plan, it helps to know how the broader Medicare rules are shifting in 2027:

• Part D out-of-pocket drug spending is capped at $2,100 in 2026.
• The maximum Part D deductible is $615.
• The old "donut hole" coverage gap is gone — drug coverage now has three phases.
• The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs across the year in monthly installments, if that helps your budget.
• IRMAA income-related surcharges start above $109,000 for single filers in 2026.

These are program-wide rules set by CMS, not plan features.

How to make a change

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

For free, one-on-one help from someone who does not sell insurance, contact North Carolina's SHIIP (Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program), the State Health Insurance Assistance Program serving Cabarrus County and the rest of the state. Counselors can walk you through your drug list, your doctors, and the trade-offs — at no cost.