Thompson Medicare Brokerage
What is the Medicare Advantage OEP?
🩺 What Is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP)?
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, often called OEP, is a special window of time that allows people who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan to make a one-time change to their coverage.
This period exists to give you a chance to fix or adjust your Medicare Advantage plan if it’s not working as expected. ✅
📅 When Is OEP?
🗓 January 1 – March 31
Every year, right after the Annual Enrollment Period ends.
Coverage changes you make during OEP generally start on the first day of the next month.
🔄 What Can You Do During OEP?
During OEP, Medicare allows you one of the following changes:
✔️ Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
✔️ Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare (Part A & B)
✔️ Add a standalone Part D prescription drug plan (if returning to Original Medicare)
🚫 What you cannot do during OEP:
- You cannot enroll in Medicare Advantage for the first time
- Cannot switch or enroll in a standalone Part D plan unless you leave Medicare Advantage
- You cannot make multiple changes (one change only)
⚠️ Who Is OEP For?
OEP is specifically for people who:
👵 Already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan
😕 Discovered their plan doesn’t meet their needs
💊 Found out medications aren’t covered as expected
🏥 Realized their doctors or hospitals are out-of-network
💰 Experienced higher costs than anticipated
If you’re on Original Medicare already, OEP does not apply to you.
💡 Why Is OEP Helpful (and Important)?
OEP is like a safety net.
Even with careful planning, sometimes a plan just doesn’t work the way you expected once the year begins. OEP gives you a chance to:
🔍 Correct coverage mistakes
💊 Ensure prescriptions are covered
🏥 Regain access to preferred doctors or hospitals
💵 Reduce unexpected out-of-pocket costs
😌 Gain peace of mind for the rest of the year
Missing OEP usually means you’ll need to wait until Annual Enrollment (Oct 15 – Dec 7) to make changes — so this window matters.
🤝 Need Help Reviewing Your Medicare Advantage Plan?
If you’re unsure whether your current plan is still the right fit, a quick review during OEP can help prevent surprises later in the year.
At Thompson Medicare Brokerage, I help you:
✔️ Review your current coverage & Compare available options
✔️ Understand costs, networks, and prescriptions & Make confident, informed decisions
📞 No pressure. No obligation. Just clear guidance.
📍 Final Reminder
⏰ OEP ends March 31
After that, many Medicare Advantage changes are locked in for the year.
If something doesn’t feel right about your plan — now is the time to look at it.
¹ClearSpring, Molina & BCBS IL plan options are listed separately.