Medicare Open Enrollment 2023: What You Need to Know
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- When is Medicare open enrollment?
- What can you do during Medicare open enrollment?
- What can’t you do during Medicare open enrollment?
- What’s available during Medicare open enrollment?
- Best Medicare Advantage plans
Medicare open enrollment is the period from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year when people already enrolled in Medicare can make changes to their coverage
. Understanding Medicare open enrollment can help you get the most out of your Medicare or Medicare Advantage coverage in 2023.
— Medicare open enrollment runs from Oct. 15 thru Dec. 7. — You can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or vice versa. — You can also compare your Part D prescription drug plan coverage to other options.
It’s always a good idea to compare coverage and assess your health and prescription drug needs during this time “to make sure you have the Medicare coverage that’s best for you and your budget,” says David Lipschutz, associate director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy.
When is Medicare open enrollment?
Medicare open enrollment happens every fall from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.
What can you do during Medicare open enrollment?
You can do the following during the Medicare open enrollment period
:
Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or vice versa.
Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to a different Medicare Advantage plan.
Change from a Medicare Advantage plan without drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage, or vice versa.
Enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan.
Jump from one Medicare drug plan to a different Medicare drug plan.
Quit your Medicare prescription drug coverage.
If you return to Original Medicare during this annual enrollment period and you want Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap, you may pay more than you expected for a supplement policy, or you may be denied coverage.
(Starting the first month you have Medicare Part B, you have six months in which you can buy any Medigap policy available in your area, regardless of your health situation. After that, with the exception of four states, Medigap companies may require a medical exam and either charge you more or deny you a policy if your health is a concern
What can’t you do during Medicare open enrollment?
If you aren’t enrolled in Medicare, you can’t sign up for it during this period because Medicare open enrollment is specifically for people who are already enrolled in Medicare. If you qualify for it, you’ll need to sign up for Medicare during your initial enrollment period, during Medicare’s general enrollment period, or during a special enrollment period
.
What’s available during Medicare open enrollment?
Here are the types of Medicare coverage available during the annual enrollment period:
Original Medicare consists of Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance)
. Everyone must first enroll in these two parts, and pay the Part B premium, before selecting additional coverage options. (If you’re currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you have the option to switch back to Original Medicare during Medicare open enrollment.)
Medicare Advantage (also known as Medicare Part C) plans are sold by private insurers as a bundled alternative to Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional benefits, including some coverage for dental and vision care
. And Medicare Advantage policies usually incorporate Part D prescription drug coverage into the plan.
» MORE: Best Medicare Advantage plans
Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage (stand-alone policies) are also administered by private insurers. Part D is an optional program that helps cover the cost of your prescription drugs
. (You may owe a penalty if you go without Medicare drug coverage or other creditable prescription drug coverage for 63 or more consecutive days.)
Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, also known as Medigap plans, help pay your share of out-of-pocket health care costs incurred with Original Medicare parts A and B
Best for size of network: UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage.
Best for extra perks: Aetna Medicare Advantage.
Best for member satisfaction: Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage.
Best for low-cost plan availability: Humana Medicare Advantage.
Best of the Blues: Highmark Medicare Advantage.
» Learn more in our roundup of the best Medicare Advantage plans
Important dates
Date | What’s happening |
|---|---|
Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 | Medicare open enrollment period. |
Jan. 1 | Coverage begins for all changes made during Medicare open enrollment. |
Jan. 1 to March 31 | Medicare Advantage open enrollment period. If you’re not happy with your Medicare Advantage plan after Medicare open enrollment, you can make a change during this time. |
Frequently asked questions
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. If you have Original Medicare, you can apply for Medigap at any time, though you’re generally only guaranteed a policy during your six-month Medigap open enrollment period, which starts the first month you’re 65 or older and you have Medicare Part B.
Note: If you’ve claimed Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits before reaching age 65, you’ll automatically start receiving Original Medicare (parts A and B) the month you turn 65. You will be able to opt out of Part B if you have other qualifying health insurance, but Part A comes attached to Social Security benefits.
Best Medicare Advantage plans
Nearly half of Medicare-eligible people are in a Medicare Advantage plan. But each plan has different strengths and weaknesses. Here’s the list of Medicare Advantage plans this year that got our attention.