Medicare Supplement
L.A. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: What You Can Change by March 31
If you already picked a Medicare Advantage plan during the fall Annual Enrollment Period and something about it isn't sitting right — the pharmacy network, the specialists in-network, the referral rules — you're not stuck. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31, and it gives Los Angeles residents a second chance to make one change.
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Key takeaways
- The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31 and lets you make one plan change, which starts the first day of the following month.
- Los Angeles County offers dozens of Medicare Advantage plans, and medicare.gov/plan-compare lets you check formularies, provider networks, and costs by ZIP code.
- Starting in 2026, Part D has a $2,100 out-of-pocket cap and a maximum deductible of $615, so it's worth checking if your prescriptions are still covered affordably.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, available in 2026, lets you spread Part D drug costs into monthly payments through your drug plan, though it doesn't lower the total amount you owe.
Los Angeles, January — a second window to fix your Medicare Advantage choice
This period matters more than it used to. Part D's new $2,100 out-of-pocket cap takes effect in 2026, and the way drug plans are priced is still adjusting to it. Some people realize in January that the plan they chose in October isn't what they thought it was. This is the window to correct that.
What you can do between January 1 and March 31
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is narrower than the fall AEP. Here's what's allowed:
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage).
- Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). If you do this, you can also add a stand-alone Part D drug plan.
You get one change during this window, and it takes effect the first of the following month.
What you cannot do in this window
This is where a lot of Angelenos get tripped up. During January–March, you cannot:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time.
- Join or switch stand-alone Part D drug plans if you're staying on Original Medicare (unless you're leaving a Medicare Advantage plan).
- Enroll in or change a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy through this window — Medigap has its own rules, and in California medical underwriting may apply outside your initial enrollment.
If you missed the fall Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7) and you're on Original Medicare, you generally have to wait for the next AEP unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Los Angeles plan availability, at the county level
Medicare plan availability is set by county, not by city. Los Angeles is in Los Angeles County, where dozens of Medicare Advantage plans from multiple carriers are offered — one of the largest plan landscapes in the country. That's a benefit and a challenge: more options means more comparing.
The official plan finder at medicare.gov/plan-compare lets you enter your ZIP code and see every plan available to you, along with each plan's drug formulary, provider network, and cost structure. It's the only place to get an unbiased, side-by-side view.
How to decide whether to switch
Before you make a change, walk through these questions honestly:
1. Are your doctors and hospitals still in-network for 2026? Networks can change year to year. Call the plan and confirm — don't rely on last year's directory. 2. Are your prescriptions still on the formulary at a tier you can afford? With the $2,100 Part D cap and a maximum Part D deductible of $615 in 2026, drug costs behave differently now. If your out-of-pocket at the pharmacy shocked you in January, that's a real signal to look again. 3. Do the plan's rules fit your life? Referrals, prior authorization, out-of-area coverage when you travel — these matter as much as the price. 4. Would Original Medicare plus a Part D plan (and possibly a Medigap policy) serve you better? For some people it does. For others, Medicare Advantage's extras are the right fit. There isn't a universal answer.
Also worth knowing: the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan is available in 2026. It lets you spread your Part D out-of-pocket drug costs across the calendar year in monthly payments instead of paying at the pharmacy counter. It doesn't lower what you owe, but it can smooth the timing. You opt in through your drug plan.
If your income is above $109,000 as a single filer (2026), you may also pay an IRMAA surcharge on Part B and Part D. That's based on your tax return from two years ago and is separate from your plan choice.
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 Los Angeles County
(MA penetration in Los Angeles 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
The parts of 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.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Q: I enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in December and my cardiologist isn't in-network. Can I switch now?
Q: I'm on Original Medicare and want to join a Medicare Advantage plan. Can I do that now?
Q: If I drop my Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare, do I automatically get drug coverage?
- CMS — Medicare basics (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.