By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    bowl of vegetable salad
    Raw Foods: benefits and harms
    November 9, 2021
    pros and cons of the keto diet
    Read This Before You Follow the Keto Diet
    May 18, 2022
    spinal cord injuries
    4 Potential Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries (and How to Seek Compensation)
    May 25, 2022
    Latest News
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    TBI: Some Surprising Statistics
    February 9, 2016
    Your Keys to Safer, Even More Secure Healthcare Cloud Services
    January 13, 2015
    4 Career Options in Healthcare Industry that Combine Big Data & Healthcare
    February 5, 2021
    Latest News
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: How to Take Advantage of Open Enrollment in Medicare
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Health > Medicare > How to Take Advantage of Open Enrollment in Medicare
Medicare

How to Take Advantage of Open Enrollment in Medicare

Jay Vasse
Jay Vasse
Share
4 Min Read
How to Take Advantage of Open Enrollment in Medicare
How to Take Advantage of Open Enrollment in Medicare
SHARE

If you’re facing changes to your provider network, overwhelmingly high out-of-pocket costs, or experiencing health complications, it may be time to take advantage of Medicare open enrollment. You can change your health insurance coverage based on your current health and life circumstances during this period. Here’s how to take advantage of this small window of opportunity.

Contents
  • What Is Open Enrollment?
  • Reasons You May Need a New Plan
    • You’re Moving to a New Location
    • Your Plan’s Coverage or Network Is Changing
    • Your Health Has Changed
    • You Want More Benefits
  • How to Switch Medicare Part C Plans
    • Step 1: Compare Plans
    • Step 2: Consult with a Trusted Insurance Provider
    • Step 3: Enroll in a Plan
  • Making the Best Choice for Your Health

What Is Open Enrollment?

Every year, between October 15 and December 7, you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare plan. This roughly two-month period is what is referred to as the open enrollment period for Original Medicare. Meanwhile, open enrollment for Medicare Advantage plans is from January 1 to March 31 of each year. During this time, you can switch to a different plan or Original Medicare.

Reasons You May Need a New Plan

There are numerous reasons why you may need a new plan during open enrollment.

You’re Moving to a New Location

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, also known as Medicare Part C, your care is restricted to a specific geographic area. As such, moving to a new city or state will likely be difficult to find in-network providers with your plan. Plus, visiting an out-of-network provider typically results in high co-insurance costs.

More Read

Health Care Buzz Today
How to Implement Strategic Facility Growth Planning for Healthcare Centers
What Krugman Doesn’t Understand about Medicare for All
How to Develop a Feature-Rich Mental Health Application?
Can You Be a Medical Assistant with a Felony?

Your Plan’s Coverage or Network Is Changing

Two of the most common forms of Medicare Advantage plans are health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider organizations (PPOs). These plans offer lists of providers that participate in your network. However, this network is subject to change every year.

Before renewing your Part C plan, ensure your preferred providers and favorite healthcare facilities are still in-network. Another thing to consider is your list of covered medications. If your plan changes and excludes certain or all prescriptions, you’ll likely want to change the type of coverage you have during Medicare open enrollment.

Your Health Has Changed

If your health has changed, like being diagnosed with a new condition, you will probably have new treatment needs. Before keeping the same coverage or changing plans, make sure any specialists or medications you need are included.

You Want More Benefits

Medicare Advantage plans already provide more coverage than Original Medicare. However, even if you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan with ancillary benefits like transportation coverage, comparing other options is worthwhile.

How to Switch Medicare Part C Plans

If you’ve determined you want to make changes to your Medicare Part C plan, you can do so easily.

Step 1: Compare Plans

Visit the Medicare.gov website and use the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services database to look for plans in your area to compare costs.

Step 2: Consult with a Trusted Insurance Provider

Another way to compare plan options is to speak with a trusted insurance provider. Often, they have vast networks and selections of plans to offer you, depending on your needs.

Step 3: Enroll in a Plan

Once you’ve settled on the best coverage, it’s time to enroll! For Medicare Advantage plans, this takes place between January and March. During this time, if you have second thoughts or need to change your options, you can switch to a different plan. Remember, however, that you can only switch once during an enrollment period.

Making the Best Choice for Your Health

Your health and circumstances are always subject to change. The best thing you can do for yourself is to put your health first and make the right choice for your health insurance coverage.

TAGGED:Healthcarehealthcare businessMedicare
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

engineer fitting prosthetic arm
How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
Health care
August 20, 2025
a woman explaining the document
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
Public Health
August 20, 2025
physiotherapist at work
How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
Health care
August 20, 2025
Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs
7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
Health News
August 20, 2025

You Might also Like

Using Social Media to Promote Your Healthcare Events

July 9, 2015
Specialties

Tips For Limiting The Spread Of Infectious Diseases

April 27, 2020
botox
Health

How Long Does It Take For Botox to Wear Off?

April 12, 2022
11 Ways You Can Care for Your Elder Family Members Health
Health

11 Ways You Can Care for Your Elder Family Members Health

April 6, 2022
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?