Can I change my Medicare Advantage plan after January 1?
Yes, once: if you are in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1, 2027, you can make one change between January 1 and March 31, 2027, either to another Medicare Advantage plan or back to Original Medicare with a Part D plan.
This is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. It does not let someone on Original Medicare join an Advantage plan, and it allows a single change. Outside it, you need a Special Enrollment Period.
| Situation | Window | Change allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Already in Medicare Advantage on Jan 1 | Jan 1 to Mar 31, 2027 | One switch to another Advantage plan, or to Original Medicare plus Part D |
| Moved out of your plan's service area | Special Enrollment Period | Choose a plan available at the new address |
| Plan not renewing for 2027 | Special Enrollment Period (dates in your letter) | Choose a new plan |
| Qualify for Extra Help or AHCCCS | Special Enrollment Period | Change drug coverage under the current rules |
| Want a 5-star plan | Dec 8 to Nov 30 | Only if a 5-star plan exists locally; none of the 2027 Maricopa or Pinal plans carries a 5-star 2026 rating |
How the January to March window works
If your new 2027 plan turns out to be wrong for you, because a doctor is out of network or a drug costs more than expected, you can switch once before March 31. The new coverage starts the first day of the month after the plan gets your request.
If you go back to Original Medicare, you can add a stand-alone Part D plan at the same time. A Medigap policy is a separate application and, in Arizona, usually involves health questions at that point.
What changes the answer
Special Enrollment Periods open for specific events: moving, losing employer or AHCCCS coverage, entering a nursing home, or your plan leaving the area. The 5-star Special Enrollment Period only helps where a 5-star plan exists, and among the 52 Maricopa County plans for 2027 the highest 2026 rating is 4.5 stars.
What to do next
Write down exactly what is not working: a doctor, a drug, a referral. Then compare plans that fix that specific problem before you use your one change. We can do that comparison with you in Chandler or by phone.
Related questions
Can I change my Medicare Advantage plan after January 1?
Yes, once: if you are in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1, 2027, you can make one change between January 1 and March 31, 2027, either to another Medicare Advantage plan or back to Original Medicare with a Part D plan.
Can I switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage in February?
Generally no. The January to March window is only for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan. Others wait for Annual Enrollment unless a Special Enrollment Period applies.
How many times can I change during January to March?
Once. After you use the change, you stay in that plan unless a Special Enrollment Period applies.
When does the new plan start?
On the first day of the month after the new plan receives your enrollment request.
Can I go back to Original Medicare and buy a Medigap policy?
You can return to Original Medicare between January 1 and March 31 and add a stand-alone Part D plan at the same time. A Medigap policy is a separate application, and in Arizona the insurer can usually ask health questions at that point and may decline you, so apply for Medigap before you leave the Advantage plan.
What Special Enrollment Periods let me change plans later in 2027?
Common ones are moving out of your plan's service area, losing employer or AHCCCS coverage, moving into or out of a nursing home, your plan leaving the area, and qualifying for Extra Help. Each has its own timing, so call us when something changes and we can check which one applies to you.
Is there a 5-star Medicare Advantage plan in Maricopa County?
No. Among the 52 Maricopa County plans for 2027, the highest 2026 star rating is 4.5 stars, so the 5-star Special Enrollment Period does not help here. 15 plans carry a 2026 rating of 4 stars or higher, according to the CMS CY2027 landscape.
Can I change only my drug coverage between January and March?
If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, your one change can be to a different Advantage plan, with or without drug coverage, or to Original Medicare with a stand-alone Part D plan. If you are on Original Medicare with a stand-alone Part D plan, this window does not apply to you.
What if my doctor leaves my Medicare Advantage plan?
Between January 1 and March 31 you can use your one change to move to a plan your doctor is in. Later in the year, ask your plan how it handles the change, and call us: we can check which plans include your doctor before Annual Enrollment comes around again.
Sources
- Medicare & You 2027 handbook Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, Contract Year 2027 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Please note: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 34 organizations which offer 64 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.Rise Up Benefits Group is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. Medicare has neither endorsed nor reviewed this information.
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