Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: What Orem Can Change
OREM, Utah — If you looked at your Medicare mail last fall and felt overwhelmed, you are not alone. The good news: the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (often called MA-OEP) gives you a second window to fix a plan choice that is not working. It runs January 1 through March 31 every year, and any change you make takes effect the first day of the following month.
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Key takeaways
- The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31 each year, and any change takes effect the first day of the next month.
- This window is only for people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1, not for those in Original Medicare.
- You can make only one plan change during this period, such as switching to a different Medicare Advantage plan or moving back to Original Medicare.
- Free, unbiased help is available through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), 1-800-MEDICARE, or the Plan Finder at medicare.gov/plan-compare.
A second chance runs January 1 through March 31
This period is different from the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7). It is smaller in scope, but for Orem residents already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, it can be a genuine relief valve.
Who can use MA-OEP
MA-OEP is only for people who are already in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1. If you are in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) with or without a stand-alone drug plan, this window does not apply to you — you would generally need to wait for the next Annual Enrollment Period or qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Orem sits in Utah County, where a wide range of Medicare Advantage plans are offered each year by multiple carriers. That means if your current plan is not the right fit, you likely have alternatives to compare on Medicare's Plan Finder at medicare.gov.
What you can change during MA-OEP
During January 1 – March 31, you are allowed to do one of the following:
- Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage).
- Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. If you do this, you can also join a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan.
You get one change during this window — not several. Once your new coverage takes effect, MA-OEP is done for you for the year.
What you cannot do in this window
MA-OEP is narrower than fall enrollment. During January 1 – March 31 you cannot:
- Switch from Original Medicare to 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.
- Move between two stand-alone Part D drug plans while staying in Original Medicare.
Those kinds of changes are tied to the Annual Enrollment Period or to Special Enrollment Periods triggered by life events like moving or losing other coverage.
Why 2027 makes this window worth using
A few program-level updates give the upcoming MA-OEP more weight than usual:
- Part D out-of-pocket cap: In 2027, what you pay out of pocket for covered prescription drugs is capped at $2,400 for the year. This cap applies whether your drug coverage comes through a Medicare Advantage plan with drugs or a stand-alone Part D plan.
- Part D deductible ceiling: No Part D plan can charge a deductible higher than $700 in 2027.
- No more "donut hole": As of 2025, the old coverage gap is gone. Part D now has three phases (deductible, initial coverage, catastrophic).
- Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: You can ask your drug plan to spread your yearly out-of-pocket drug costs into monthly payments instead of paying big amounts at the pharmacy counter.
- IRMAA: Higher-income beneficiaries pay income-related surcharges on Part B and Part D. In 2026, those surcharges start above $109,000 in income for a single filer.
If your January pharmacy bills or provider network came as a surprise, MA-OEP is the moment to re-check the math.
How to decide if a change makes sense
Before you switch, walk through a short checklist:
1. Are your doctors and hospitals in the plan's network? In Orem, that often means checking Intermountain Health and MountainStar-affiliated providers, plus any specialists you see regularly. 2. Are your prescriptions on the plan's formulary, and in a tier you can afford? 3. What does the plan cost you in a bad month, not just an average month? Look at cost-sharing for hospital stays, imaging, and specialist visits. 4. Do the extras you were promised actually match how you use care? Dental, vision, hearing, and fitness benefits vary widely. 5. Would Original Medicare plus a stand-alone drug plan (and possibly a Medigap policy, if you can get one) fit your life better?
If you are unsure, do not guess. Utah's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), run through the Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services, offers free, unbiased counseling. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24/7, or use the Plan Finder at medicare.gov/plan-compare.
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 Utah County
(MA penetration in Utah 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
Q: I just picked my plan in December. Can I really change it again?
Q: If I drop my Medicare Advantage plan, will I automatically have drug coverage?
Q: Can I buy a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy if I go back to Original Medicare?
- CMS — Medicare enrollment periods (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.