Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan 1–Mar 31) in Utah: What You Can and Can't Change

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 to March 31 each year, and it's only for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan. You can make one change: switch to another Medicare Advantage plan, or drop your plan and return to Original Medicare, where you can also join a separate drug plan. Your change starts the first of the next month.

Sources: Medicare.gov: Joining a plan · Medicare.gov: Understanding Medicare Advantage & Medicare Drug Plan Enrollment Periods

Key takeaways

It's only for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan, plus people new to Medicare in their first 3 months with a Medicare Advantage plan they joined during their Initial Enrollment Period.
You can make one change during this window each year.
Your two choices: another Medicare Advantage plan, or Original Medicare, where you can also join a separate drug plan.
You can't use it to move from Original Medicare into Medicare Advantage, or to change drug plans if you have Original Medicare.
If your current plan is working for you, you don't need to do anything.

Is this for you?

This window is only for people in a Medicare Advantage plan. If you have Original Medicare (with or without a Medicare Supplement), it doesn't apply to you. See Medicare enrollment dates in Utah for the windows that do.

Thinking about a change between January 1 and March 31? Talk it through with our team by phone.

Call 801-255-5341 Book a phone or video call

Mon–Fri 9am–5pm MT · TTY 711

For 2027, the window runs January 1 to March 31, 2027. This guide explains what the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is, how it differs from fall Open Enrollment, what you can and can't change, and what Utahns should check before making a move.

What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, often called the MA OEP or Medicare OEP, is a yearly window from January 1 to March 31. It's for people who are already in a Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare.gov).

It gives you one more chance to change your mind after fall Open Enrollment. For example, maybe a doctor you see isn't in your plan's network, or a drug costs more than you expected.

If you're new to Medicare and joined a Medicare Advantage plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, a similar window runs from the first month you have both Part A and Part B until the last day of your third month (Medicare.gov publication 11219).

MA OEP vs. fall Open Enrollment vs. General Enrollment

Medicare has several windows with similar names. Here's how they compare:

Window	Dates	Who it's for	Changes start
Open Enrollment (fall)	October 15 – December 7	Anyone with Medicare. You can join, switch or drop Medicare Advantage or drug plans, and move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.	January 1
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment	January 1 – March 31	Only people already in a Medicare Advantage plan. One change.	First of the month after the plan gets your request
General Enrollment	January 1 – March 31	People signing up for Part A or Part B who missed their first chance	The month after you sign up

Sources: Medicare.gov: Joining a plan · Medicare.gov: When does Medicare coverage start?

Calendar comparing Medicare enrollment windows: Open Enrollment from October 15 to December 7 for anyone with Medicare, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31 for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan, and the General Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31 for signing up for Part A and Part B.

For more on the fall window, see Medicare Open Enrollment in Utah.

Does the January–March window apply to me?

1. What coverage do you have right now?

A Medicare Advantage plan Original Medicare (with or without a supplement or drug plan) I'm not on Medicare yet

2. Have you already made a change in this window this year?

No Yes

Educational only; not a plan recommendation. Source: Medicare.gov. Serving Utah residents. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 9 organizations which offer 58 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

What you can and can't change (January 1 – March 31)

What you can and can't do during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. You can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan, or drop your plan and return to Original Medicare, where you can also join a separate drug plan. You can't switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, join a drug plan if you're in Original Medicare, or switch drug plans in Original Medicare.

You can (Medicare.gov publication 11219):

Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan, with or without drug coverage.
Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare. If you do, you can also join a Medicare drug plan.

You can't:

Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
Join a Medicare drug plan if you're in Original Medicare.
Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another if you're in Original Medicare.

Some less common plan types, like Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) plans, Medicare Cost Plans and PACE, follow different enrollment rules. Contact the plan or call 1-800-MEDICARE for details (Medicare.gov).

Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan

You can move to a different Medicare Advantage plan that serves where you live, with or without drug coverage. To join a plan, you must live in its service area, so the plans you can choose from depend on where you live in Utah (Medicare.gov). Learn the basics in Medicare Advantage plans explained.

Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare (you can also join a separate drug plan)

You can drop your Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare. When you do, you can also join a separate Medicare drug plan (Part D) (Medicare.gov).

Leaving Medicare Advantage? Plan for drug coverage

Original Medicare doesn't include drug coverage. If you go 63 days or more in a row without Part D or other creditable drug coverage, you may owe a Part D late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part D (Medicare.gov).

What about a Medicare Supplement (Medigap)?

Some people who go back to Original Medicare also want a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy. Look into this before you leave your Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare.gov explains that once you're outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, "there's no federal guarantee that an insurance company will sell you a Medigap policy. If you're able to buy one, it may cost more due to past or present health problems" (Medicare.gov).

About Medicare Supplements

Don't assume a Medicare Supplement will be available to you. Ask first, then decide. Learn how Medigap works in Medicare Supplement plans in Utah.

The one-change rule

"You can only make one change each year during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period" (Medicare.gov publication 11219). Once you've made your change, this window is closed for you for the rest of that year.

Flowchart: if you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change by March 31, either to another Medicare Advantage plan or to Original Medicare (you can add a separate drug plan), and coverage starts the first of the next month. If you're not in Medicare Advantage, this window doesn't apply.

Some life events, like moving, can give you a different chance to change plans called a Special Enrollment Period (Medicare.gov). Moving to or within Utah? Our St. George guide covers moving and snowbird questions.

When does my new coverage start?

Your new coverage starts on the first day of the month after the plan gets your request (Medicare.gov).

For example, if a plan gets your request on February 10, your new coverage starts March 1. If it gets your request on March 31, your new coverage starts April 1.

Before you make a change: a Utah checklist

Before you join any plan, check these things. The first four come from Medicare.gov's checklist (Medicare.gov):

✓Your doctors. Ask your doctors whether they're in the new plan's network. See finding Medicare doctors in Salt Lake County.
✓Your prescriptions. Check that the plan covers the drugs you take.
✓Your pharmacies. Ask whether your pharmacies are in network.
✓Travel. If you spend part of the year outside Utah, check whether the plan covers you there.
✓Drug coverage. Going back to Original Medicare? Make sure you'll have a Medicare drug plan or other creditable drug coverage, so you don't go without it.
✓Medicare Supplement. If you want one, find out whether you can buy one before you leave Medicare Advantage.

Checklist before changing plans during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: check your doctors, your drugs, your pharmacies, coverage when you travel, drug coverage if you return to Original Medicare, and whether a Medicare Supplement is available to you.

How to make your change

Once you've chosen, there are 3 ways to join a plan (Medicare.gov):

Use Medicare's Plan Finder at Medicare.gov/plan-compare.
Contact the plan directly.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).

You can also talk with a licensed agent, like our team, who can explain your options in plain English.

Common mistakes to avoid

Thinking the window is open to everyone. It's only for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Trying to change drug plans in Original Medicare. That isn't allowed in this window. Fall Open Enrollment is the usual time.
Mixing it up with General Enrollment. Both run January 1 to March 31, but General Enrollment is for signing up for Part A or Part B.
Planning more than one change. You get one change in this window each year.
Leaving Medicare Advantage without drug coverage. That can lead to a Part D late penalty.
Assuming a Medicare Supplement will be available. Outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, there's no federal guarantee unless you have a guaranteed issue right, such as a trial right in your first year of Medicare Advantage.

Frequently asked questions

When is open enrollment for Medicare Advantage plans?

There are two windows. Fall Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7 for anyone with Medicare. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 to March 31, but only for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan. During the January–March window, you can make one change.

What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?

It's a yearly window from January 1 to March 31 for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan. You can make one change: switch to another Medicare Advantage plan, or drop your plan and return to Original Medicare, where you can also join a separate drug plan. Your change starts the first of the following month.

When does Medicare Advantage open enrollment end?

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period ends March 31. The plan must get your request by then. Your new coverage starts the first day of the month after the plan gets your request, so a request received on March 31 means new coverage on April 1. Fall Open Enrollment ends December 7.

Can I change my Medicare Advantage plan after open enrollment?

Yes, if you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan. From January 1 to March 31, you can make one change, either to another Medicare Advantage plan or to Original Medicare, where you can also join a separate drug plan. Outside that window, you need a Special Enrollment Period, such as one from moving.

Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare?

Yes. During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 to March 31, you can drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. You can also join a separate Medicare drug plan at the same time. If you want a Medicare Supplement, check whether you can buy one first.

Can you change Medicare Advantage plans anytime?

No. You can change Medicare Advantage plans only at certain times: fall Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7), the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31, one change), or a Special Enrollment Period if you qualify, such as after a move.

Is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period the same as the General Enrollment Period?

No. They share the same dates, January 1 to March 31, but they do different things. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period lets people already in Medicare Advantage make one change. The General Enrollment Period is for signing up for Part A or Part B if you missed your first chance.

Talk with our Utah team

If your plan is working for you, there's nothing you need to do. If something isn't working, our Draper-based team can help you understand your options by phone or video. We've been licensed since 2014, have helped more than 1,000 Utahns with Medicare, and have 170+ 5-Star Google Reviews.

For neutral counseling, you can also call Utah's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 1-800-541-7735 (Utah DHHS Aging & Adult Services).

Book a phone or video call, or call us during office hours.

Call 801-255-5341 Book a phone or video call

Mon–Fri 9am–5pm MT · TTY 711

Related guides

Sources

Medicare.gov, Joining a plan
Medicare.gov, Understanding Medicare Advantage & Medicare Drug Plan Enrollment Periods (publication 11219)
Medicare.gov, When does Medicare coverage start?
Medicare.gov, When can I buy a Medigap policy?
Medicare.gov, How much does Medicare drug coverage cost?
Utah DHHS, Aging & Adult Services: SHIP

Last updated: October 20, 2026.