Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15 to December 7 every year. During this time individuals may join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or a prescription drug plan (Part D).

Individuals may join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage plan or a prescription drug plan outside of Medicare Open Enrollment if they have a qualifying event, such as moving or losing other health insurance. In general, individuals have 2 months after the month of a qualifying event to make plan changes.

You may choose to drop a Medicare Advantage plan January 1 to February 14 every year. If you do, your coverage will automatically switch to Original Medicare and you may want to add a standalone prescription drug plan, a Medicare supplement plan or both.