Last checked . Picks are based on the prices, rates, fees and terms each provider publishes, checked at the source. We never rank products by commission. See how we’re funded.
Short answer: if your Medicare Advantage plan is ending, you can switch to another plan during a special enrollment period. The window depends on who ended the contract. If you don’t join another Medicare Advantage plan before yours ends, you’ll be enrolled in Original Medicare, according to Medicare.gov. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) if you’re not sure which rule applies to you.
Medicare Advantage plan ending: your three windows
Medicare.gov’s page on special enrollment periods describes three versions of this situation.
| What happened | Your window |
|---|---|
| Medicare ends your plan’s contract | Starts 1 month before the contract ends and runs until 2 full months after |
| Your plan ends its contract, or you and Medicare agree to end it | Starts 2 months before the contract ends and runs until 1 full month after |
| Your plan’s contract is not renewed | Between Dec. 8 and the last day of February of the following year |
How to tell which situation you are in
Your plan should tell you in writing if it is leaving. The letter will usually say why. Say the notice says your plan won’t be offered next year. Then you are most likely in the third group, and the window opens after the regular fall enrollment period closes on Dec. 7. Say the notice says the contract is ending sooner. Then check the dates against the first two rows. The window rules are specific. Read the notice carefully and keep it.
In all three cases, Medicare.gov says the special enrollment period lets you switch to another plan. If you take no action, you will be enrolled in Original Medicare, as long as you don’t join another Medicare Advantage plan before your current one ends. Original Medicare does not include a drug plan or the extras many Advantage plans bundle. So moving there by default can change your costs and coverage.
What to do first
Start with the notice and the date your plan stops. Write down the date your window opens and the date it closes. Then set a reminder for each. Keep the notice somewhere you can find it, since you may need the dates later. If you are unsure whether your plan or Medicare ended the contract, ask when you call 1-800-MEDICARE. The answer decides which row of the table applies to you.
Next, list what you use. Think about your doctors, your prescriptions, and any extras such as dental or vision. Compare other plans in your area against that list, not just your old plan’s price. Our guide to Part D changes before Dec. 7 explains what to check on drug coverage. It applies equally to a replacement plan.
Thinking about leaving Advantage for Original Medicare, or the reverse? Ask Medicare what applies to your situation before you enroll, since other rules can affect supplemental coverage. The 1-800-MEDICARE line is the official place to confirm. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Medicare.gov’s page doesn’t go into other rules for this situation, so we are not guessing at them here.
Watch for scams during the switch
A plan ending is exactly when callers pose as Medicare to “help” you re-enroll. Don’t give your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details to anyone who contacts you first. Hang up and use the official number above. Our report on Medicare scams during open enrollment lists the red flags and where to report them.
Editor’s take
Don’t let the default decide for you. Doing nothing moves you to Original Medicare if you don’t choose another Advantage plan. That may be the right choice, but it should be one you made on purpose. Put the date from your notice on the calendar. Make the call to 1-800-MEDICARE before the window closes, not after.
