Your options after December 7
| Situation | What you can do | When |
|---|---|---|
| You're in a Medicare Advantage plan | Switch Medicare Advantage plans, or return to Original Medicare and join a Part D plan (one change) | January 1 to March 31 |
| Your plan isn't renewing for 2027 | Join another Medicare Advantage or Part D plan | Through February 28, 2027 |
| You have NC Medicaid or Extra Help | Change drug plans, or leave Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare with a drug plan | Once a calendar month |
| You move out of your plan's area, or to new plan options | Switch plans or return to Original Medicare | From the move through 2 full months after |
| You lose employer or union coverage | Join a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan | 2 full months after the month the coverage ends |
| You move into, live in or leave a nursing home | Join, switch or drop a plan | While you live there and 2 full months after you leave |
| A declared emergency or disaster kept you from choosing | Make the change you missed | Until 2 full months after the incident ends |
Most changes start the first of the month after your plan gets your request. See 42 CFR 422.62(b) and 423.38(c).
North Carolina situations to know about
- Plans ending in 2027. Two companies leave some counties, mostly in the western mountains plus Wake, Johnston, Chatham and Rutherford, and six end some plans. See North Carolina plans ending in 2027.
- Full NC Medicaid. Medicare has a monthly window for joining an integrated D-SNP, but every North Carolina D-SNP for 2027 is coordination-only, so that window has no plan here. The monthly Medicaid and Extra Help window above still applies. See D-SNPs in North Carolina.
- Hurricanes and floods. A declaration opens a window only for a choice the storm made you miss. After Helene (FEMA DR-4827-NC), it ran through February 28, 2025. See hurricanes, floods and Medicare in North Carolina.
- Retiring from a North Carolina employer. Losing active coverage opens a window. State Health Plan retirees change Plan options only at the Plan's own Open Enrollment or with a qualifying event; see State Health Plan retirees and Medicare.
Medigap works differently: with no birthday rule in North Carolina, switching policies usually means health questions. See Medigap in North Carolina.
To check whether you qualify and compare plans from the companies they work with, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048).
Related questions
What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
One change, January 1 to March 31.
When is open enrollment?
October 15 to December 7.
My plan is ending. What do I do?
Your special enrollment period.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Special Enrollment Periods
- eCFR — 42 CFR 422.62, election of coverage under an MA plan (special election periods, disasters)
- eCFR — 42 CFR 423.38, Part D enrollment periods (Medicaid, Extra Help and integrated plan SEPs)
- CMS — Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape files, contract year 2027 (D-SNP integration status)
- FEMA — North Carolina Tropical Storm Helene (DR-4827-NC)
More questions in this guide
- Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare in North Carolina?
- Do I get a guaranteed right to buy Medigap if my plan leaves North Carolina?
- My Medicare Advantage plan is ending in 2027 in North Carolina. What do I do?
- What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
- When is Medicare open enrollment in North Carolina?
- Which Medicare companies are leaving North Carolina in 2027?
Part of the guide: Medicare Open Enrollment in North Carolina (2027 Plans) · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave my Medicare Advantage plan if my doctor leaves the network?
Usually not on that basis alone. Medicare evaluates special enrollment periods for a significant change in a plan's provider network case by case. Otherwise you can change from January 1 to March 31 or at the next open enrollment.
Can I switch plans if I move within North Carolina?
Yes, if you move out of your plan's service area, or to a new address with new plan options. Your chance starts the month you move (or the month before, if you tell your plan in advance) and lasts 2 full months after.
Is there a special enrollment period after a hurricane in North Carolina?
Yes, when a federal, state or local government declares an emergency or major disaster and it kept you from making a choice you were eligible to make. It runs until 2 full calendar months after the incident ends. Tell the plan you want to join, or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Medicare in your North Carolina county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Wake · Mecklenburg · Guilford · Forsyth · Durham · Cumberland · Buncombe · Union · Johnston · Cabarrus · New Hanover · Gaston · Onslow · Iredell · Alamance · Pitt · Davidson · Brunswick · Catawba · Rowan · All 100 counties →
