If You Want to Switch Plans or Return to Original Medicare, Now is the Time
Every new year brings changes to your Medicare Advantage plan; some good, some unexpected. The good news? The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period gives you one chance to fix it.
This window runs from January 1 through March 31, 2026, and is only for people who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. You can switch to another plan or drop it entirely and go back to Original Medicare.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly 32 million people were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in 2023, and many use this time of year to make adjustments. Source
At Absolute Best Insurance, our team of licensed agents helps clients throughout Tamarac, Deerfield Beach, Greenacres, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, and Micco (Sebastian) figure out whether a plan change makes sense. If your current plan is falling short, now’s the time to do something about it.
What Is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. It is only for people who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan.
During this time, you can:
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another (with or without drug coverage)
- Drop your Medicare Advantage plan entirely and return to Original Medicare (Parts A & B)
- Join a standalone Part D drug plan if you’re returning to Original Medicare
Changes take effect on the first of the month after your request is received. If you make a change in January, it starts on February 1.
| “This is the only time of year current MA members can make a single change. We always encourage our clients to check in and ask if their plan is still the right fit.” – Stacy Murphy, Owner of Absolute Best Insurance |
Why You Might Want to Make a Change
There are plenty of reasons people change their plan during MA OEP:
- Your doctor or specialist is no longer in-network
- Prescription drugs aren’t covered or cost too much
- Out-of-pocket costs were higher than expected
- Extra benefits, like dental or vision, changed or disappeared
For example, if you live in Vero Beach and need access to the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, but your plan removed it from its network, it may be time to switch. Or maybe your plan no longer covers your medications at Tradition Medical Center in Port St. Lucie. These are real problems we help fix every day.
“People don’t always realize how fast these plans change,” says Stacy. “The MA OEP is your shot to catch it early and fix it for the rest of the year.”
How This Period Differs From Other Medicare Enrollment Periods
To avoid confusion, here’s how the 2026 Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period compares to the others:
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): A 7-month window around your 65th birthday to sign up for Medicare
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 to December 7, when anyone with Medicare can make plan changes for the following year
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP): January 1 to March 31, only for current Medicare Advantage users
- General Enrollment Period (GEP): January 1 to March 31, for people who missed their IEP and need to enroll in Part A and B
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): For specific life events like moving or losing employer coverage
- Medigap Open Enrollment Period: A 6-month window after enrolling in Part B to buy Medicare Supplement plans without medical underwriting
Knowing the differences helps you avoid gaps in coverage or costly penalties.
We Help You Understand Your Options
As a health insurance agency with over 20 years of experience, we’re committed to helping you make sense of these choices.
We offer one-on-one consultations, in-office visits, and yes, we even make housecalls!
If you’re in Tamarac near Coral Springs Medical Center, Deerfield Beach by Hillsboro Boulevard, or Greenacres along Jog Road, we’ll come to you. We also serve clients in Vero Beach, Micco, and Port St. Lucie, whether you’re near Sebastian River Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic Indian River, or St. Lucie West.
When you talk to one of our local agents, we’ll help you:
- Review your current Medicare Advantage plan
- Compare other plan options based on your doctors and prescriptions
- Decide whether returning to Original Medicare makes more sense
- Add a Part D plan if needed
- Check eligibility for low-income savings programs
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“We don’t push people into plans. We listen to your needs and find a solution that fits your life and budget.” – Stacy Murphy |
Why Work With Absolute Best Insurance?
We’ve helped thousands of people across Tamarac, Deerfield Beach, Greenacres, Vero Beach, Micco, and Port St. Lucie make smart decisions about their Medicare coverage.
Our agents understand the plans available in your ZIP code and how they actually work with your hospital, your pharmacy, and your health needs. Whether you live near Roseland Road in Micco, US-1 in Vero Beach, or off University Drive in Tamarac, we’re familiar with the plans that perform well in your area.
We’re more than a health insurance agency; we’re your partner in making Medicare simpler.
Don’t Miss the March 31 Deadline
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period ends March 31. After that, you’ll have to wait until the next Annual Enrollment Period in October to make changes.
If your current plan isn’t working for you, this is your one chance to make it right. Our agents are ready to help you compare, switch, or return to Original Medicare today.
We also help with ACA health plans, dental and life insurance, and more. If you have questions, call us or schedule a housecall with one of our local agents.
Call or visit one of our Absolute Best Insurance offices in Tamarac, Deerfield Beach, Greenacres, Port St. Lucie, Micco, or Vero Beach to review your snowbird insurance options.
Click here or give our team a call for a free, no-obligation quote. We even make house calls!
- Tamarac: (954) 642-2101
- Deerfield Beach: (754) 778-8700
- Greenacres & Vero Beach: (561) 420-0280
- Port St. Lucie: (772) 828-2840
- Sebastian (Micco): (772) 321-0813
FAQs
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare during MA OEP?
Yes. You can drop your Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare and enroll in a Part D plan.
Will my new plan start right away?
Your new coverage will begin on the first of the month after your request is received.
What happens if I miss this enrollment period?
You’ll likely have to wait until the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15–Dec. 7), unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Can I make multiple changes during MA OEP?
No. You can only make one plan change during this period.
Is help from Absolute Best Insurance free?
Yes. Our consultations and plan reviews are always free.