Starting in January 2025, new rules went into effect around when dually eligible individuals and people with the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS, or Extra Help) can change their Medicare coverage. This is because there are changes to a couple of Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs). 

Dually eligible individuals and people with the Low-Income Subsidy can now disenroll from their Medicare Advantage plan more frequently, on a monthly basis, using the “Monthly SEP.” They can also use this SEP to switch from one standalone Prescription Drug Plan to another more frequently, on a monthly basis. 

Opportunities to switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage plan have narrowed this year. Using an “Integrated Care SEP,” full-benefit dually eligible individuals can switch plans outside of the Annual Enrollment Period, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, or other SEPs, but only if that plan is an integrated and aligned plan.

Please note that all Medicare enrollees, including full-benefit dually eligible individuals, can still switch to non-integrated and non-aligned plans using other enrollment periods (including other Special Enrollment Periods). 

For more information about these changes, see Justice in Aging’s fact sheet and CMS’s training materials on changes to Special Enrollment Periods. 

Many Enrollment Periods Have Not Changed, Including Other Special Enrollment Periods Not Mentioned Above

Individuals have the opportunity to join a Medicare Advantage plan during their Initial Enrollment Period, which is a seven-month period around the time a person first becomes eligible for Medicare. They also have an opportunity to switch or drop that coverage within a short time period after selection during the Initial Enrollment Period.

During the Annual Election Period from October 15 to December 7 each year, Medicare enrollees have the opportunity to join, switch, or drop their Medicare Advantage plan.

During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 – March 31 each year, Medicare enrollees have the opportunity to switch or drop their Medicare Advantage plan.

During various Special Enrollment Periods, Medicare enrollees may have the opportunity to join, switch, or drop their Medicare Advantage plan outside of other enrollment periods under qualifying circumstances.

For more information on enrollment periods, see CMS, Joining a Plan.