Evelyn, a 72-year-old widow, felt confident last November. During the Medicare Open Enrollment, she switched from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan advertised as having all her doctors and low drug costs. It promised extras like gym access and dental cleanings. It sounded perfect.
January arrived and difficulties arose. At her routine checkup, Evelyn’s longtime cardiologist wasn’t in her plan’s network anymore—having changed network after the close of Open Enrollment. And then her blood pressure prescription cost three times what she expected. Gym classes? The nearest eligible workout center was 45-minutes from her home.
Frustrated but proactive, Mrs. Smith immediately made an appointment with a SHINE Medicare Counselor, who was able to help Evelyn find an Advantage plan with all of her doctors in-network, lower pharmacy copays, and a local gym.
For many people aged over 65, navigating Medicare feels like trying to keep up with toddler hyped up on sugar. But understanding the two key open enrollment periods can save you money and headaches. Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7 each year. Then there’s Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment from January 1 to March 31. Why two? One lets you plan ahead for the new year. The other gives a second chance if your choice doesn’t fit.
Medicare Open Enrollment in the fall—October 15 through December 7—is the big shopping season. Anyone eligible for Medicare Parts A or B should review their current plan and make changes, if needed. You might switch from Original Medicare (the basic government plan with hospital and doctor coverage) to a Medicare Advantage plan (often called Part C, run by private insurers, sometimes with extras like dental or vision). Or, vice versa—switching from your Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare. You can also swap one Advantage plan for another or adjust your standalone prescription drug plan (Part D).
Changes you make during the fall Open Enrollment take effect on January 1. It’s like picking your winter coat in autumn—you have time to compare styles, prices, and fit before the cold hits.
Now, picture this: like Evelyn, you picked a Medicare Advantage plan in the fall, but in January, you’ve discovered issues with your Medicare Advantage plan. This is why Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment is important. From January 1 to March 31, if you’re already in an Advantage plan, you get one chance to fix it. You can switch to a different Advantage plan. Or drop Advantage entirely and return to Original Medicare.
Important: This winter window isn’t for everyone. If you’re currently enrolled with Original Medicare, you cannot switch to an Advantage plan for the first time. It’s only available to existing Advantage folks and is limited to one change. Updates take effect the first of the next month.
Why split into two periods? Lawmakers created the January-March slot as a safety net. Back in 2010 when Medicare Advantage exploded in popularity, some people found fall choices didn’t match their real-life needs. Providers changed networks, drugs got pricier, or health shifted. This extra window, called the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, lets you adjust without waiting a full year. Think of it as an annual Medicare Advantage “mulligan.”
Right now, in February 2026, we’re almost halfway through the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period window. If your plan isn’t working, act fast—call 1-800-MEDICARE or use Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder tool. If you need extra assistance, SHINE counselors are available to help you review your coverage. To schedule a SHINE appointment, call SeniorCare at 978-281-1750 or the regional SHINE office at 978-946-1374.