Medicare Advantage
Your Jan–March Medicare Advantage Switch Window, Explained
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — If you signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan during the fall and are already second-guessing your pick, you have a rare second chance. From January 1 through March 31, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period gives current Advantage members one opportunity to make a change — no special reason required.
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Key takeaways
- Between January 1 and March 31, people already on a Medicare Advantage plan get one chance to switch plans or go back to Original Medicare, no reason needed.
- This window is only for people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1, not for those adding Advantage coverage from Original Medicare.
- You can only make one change during this period, so it's smart to compare options carefully before switching.
- Before comparing plans, gather your medication list, doctor and hospital preferences, and Medicare number, then use the Medicare.gov Plan Finder or call 1-800-MEDICARE or your local SHIP counselor for free help.
Here in northeastern Pennsylvania, that window matters. Wilkes-Barre is in Luzerne County, where residents have a wide range of Medicare Advantage options to consider, and this three-month period is the last easy off-ramp before your 2027 coverage is locked in for the rest of the year.
What the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period actually is
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, sometimes called MA-OEP, runs January 1 through March 31 every year. It's separate from the fall Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7), and it works differently.
MA-OEP is only for people who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1. If you're on Original Medicare and want to add an Advantage plan, this window is not for you.
You can make one change during MA-OEP. Once you use it, that's it until fall — so it pays to think through your choice before you act.
What changes you're allowed to make
According to CMS guidance on medicare.gov, if you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1, you can:
- Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage).
- Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
- Add a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan if you go back to Original Medicare.
What you cannot do during MA-OEP:
- Switch from one stand-alone Part D plan to another (that had to happen during fall AEP).
- Join a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time if you're currently on Original Medicare.
- Buy a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy with guaranteed acceptance — those rules are set separately and medical underwriting may apply in Pennsylvania outside of your initial eligibility window.
Why this window exists — and who tends to use it
The idea behind MA-OEP is simple: fall enrollment happens fast, plans change every year, and sometimes people don't realize a plan doesn't fit until they try to fill a prescription or see a specialist in January.
Common reasons people use this window include:
- A favorite doctor or hospital is no longer in the network.
- A regular prescription isn't covered the way they expected.
- The plan type (HMO vs. PPO) is more restrictive than they realized.
- They want to go back to Original Medicare and pair it with a stand-alone drug plan.
The 2027 numbers worth knowing before you switch
A few program-wide figures for 2027 are worth keeping in mind as you compare:
- Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027. Once your drug spending hits that ceiling, you pay nothing for covered Part D drugs the rest of the year.
- Part D maximum deductible: $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027. Plans can charge less, but not more.
- Three coverage phases, not four. The old "donut hole" was eliminated in 2025.
- Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. This optional program lets you spread your drug costs across monthly payments instead of paying big amounts at the pharmacy counter.
- IRMAA surcharges on Part B and Part D begin above $109,000 in income for single filers in 2026.
These rules apply broadly across Medicare — they aren't specific to any one plan.
How to compare plans without getting overwhelmed
Before making a switch in Luzerne County, gather three things: your list of current medications with dosages, a list of doctors and hospitals you want to keep, and your Medicare number.
Then use the Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov, which lets you enter your ZIP code and drugs to see how each available plan would handle your specific situation. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (available 24/7) for help.
For free, unbiased, one-on-one counseling, Pennsylvania's State Health Insurance Assistance Program is called APPRISE. Counselors are trained volunteers who do not sell insurance and do not work on commission.
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 Luzerne County
(MA penetration in Luzerne 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 switch plans more than once between January and March?
If I go back to Original Medicare, will I automatically have drug coverage?
Does MA-OEP let me buy a Medigap policy?
- CMS — Medicare enrollment periods (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.