Medicare Advantage open enrollment vs. Medicare open enrollment:

Medicare Open Enrollment

Happens every fall from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. During this time, people with Medicare can join, change or drop Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare drug plan. Coverage for plan changes starts Jan. 1.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

Runs from Jan. 1 to March 31, is only for people who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. If you have Original Medicare, you can't change plans during this time. Changes to plans made during this period take effect on the first day of the following month.

What you’ll need:

If you’re thinking of changing plans, make sure you have the following information handy for comparison:

⦿ A list of your regular medical providers and hospitals.
⦿ A list of your prescription drugs.
⦿ Documentation from your current plan explaining your copays, coinsurance, deductibles and premiums.
⦿ A list of your current plan’s extra benefits, such as cost help with dental care.

If you aren’t happy with your current Medicare Advantage plan (also known as Medicare Part C, these plans usually also include Medicare Part D coverage), there's an annual window to switch: The Medicare Advantage open enrollment period, which runs from Jan. 1 to March 31.

During this period, you’re allowed to do one of the following things if you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan:

⦿ Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan.
⦿ Drop it and go back to Original Medicare, and join a Medicare drug plan.

If you don’t have a Medicare Advantage plan already, this open enrollment period isn’t for you. For instance, you can't do these things:

⦿ Move from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
⦿ Join a Medicare drug plan if you have Original Medicare.
⦿ Move from one Medicare drug plan to another if you have Original Medicare