Medicare Advantage
Hurst's Second Chance: Fixing Your Medicare Advantage Pick
Tarrant County has 83 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027. Compared with 2026, 28 plans are not coming back, 22 are new, and 32 continuing plans changed in some way you should check before December 7, 10 of them under a new name. This guide covers what those numbers mean for Hurst, not which plan to pick.
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HURST, Texas — If you signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan during the fall and now the fit feels off — the doctor you wanted isn't in the network, the drug list surprised you, or the plan just isn't what you expected — you get one more shot to correct course. From January 1 through March 31, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period lets people already in an Advantage plan make one change without waiting until next fall.
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.
- You can make one change during this window: switch to a different Advantage plan, or drop your Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare (with the option to add a stand-alone Part D plan).
- You cannot use this period to join an Advantage plan for the first time if you are in Original Medicare, and you cannot switch from one stand-alone Part D plan to another.
- Hurst is in Tarrant County, where multiple Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are offered, so comparing options on medicare.gov or with a SHIP counselor is worth the time.
This window is narrower than the fall enrollment season most people know about, and the rules for what you can and can't do are specific. Here is what Hurst residents should understand before making a move.
Who this window is for
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is designed for people who are already in a Medicare Advantage plan as of January 1. If you enrolled in one during the fall Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) and it took effect January 1, you qualify.
If you are in Original Medicare on January 1, this window does not apply to you. You would generally need to wait until the next fall enrollment period or qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
What changes you can make
During January 1 – March 31, you are allowed one change. That can be:
- Switching from your current Medicare Advantage plan to a different Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage).
- Dropping your Medicare Advantage plan and going back to Original Medicare. If you do this, you can also join a stand-alone Part D drug plan.
The change takes effect the first day of the month after the plan gets your request. So a switch made in February would generally start March 1.
What you cannot do
This is where a lot of confusion happens. During this window you cannot:
- Move from Original Medicare into a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time.
- Join a stand-alone Part D plan if you are staying in Original Medicare and did not have one already (outside of a qualifying Special Enrollment Period).
- Switch from one stand-alone Part D plan to another stand-alone Part D plan.
- Make more than one change during the window.
How to decide if a change is worth it
Before switching, take a careful look at what is actually not working. A few questions to walk through:
- Are your doctors and preferred hospitals in the plan's network? Hurst residents often use providers across Tarrant County, so check every one you rely on.
- Does the plan cover your prescriptions, and at what tier? The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027, and the maximum Part D deductible is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027, but how a plan places your specific drugs still matters.
- Are the extra benefits ones you will actually use?
- If you are considering returning to Original Medicare, think about whether you would want a Medigap policy — and understand that outside of your initial enrollment, medical underwriting may apply in Texas.
The Part D benefit is also simpler than it used to be: the old coverage gap ("donut hole") is gone as of 2025, replaced by three phases. If drug costs are your concern, you can also ask about the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which lets you spread drug costs across the year in monthly installments.
Where Hurst residents can get help
Hurst sits inside Tarrant County, where availability is set by CMS at the county level. That means comparing plans is best done using tools that filter by ZIP code.
Free, unbiased help is available:
- Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov lets you compare plans by ZIP code and enter your prescriptions.
- 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) is open 24/7.
- Texas SHIP — the state's Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program — offers free, one-on-one counseling. You can reach it through the Texas Health and Human Services benefits counseling line.
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 Tarrant County
(MA penetration in Tarrant 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 back if I don't like my new plan?
What if I miss the March 31 deadline?
Does this window let me buy a Medigap policy?
How is this different from the fall enrollment period?
- CMS — Medicare enrollment periods (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.
Also for Hurst
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This page was last updated: October 1, 2026.