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Made a Mistake Choosing Your Medicare Plan? You Might Be Able to Fix It!

Good News for People on Medicare Advantage

Did you pick a Medicare Advantage plan because your doctor was supposed to be covered? Then found out later your doctor isn’t actually in the plan?

Medicare is now letting people fix this mistake.

See the memo from CMS on this Special Election Period here

What’s This New Rule About?

Medicare knows that sometimes the information on its website isn’t perfect. Starting in 2026, if you choose a Medicare Advantage plan using the Medicare Plan Finder website and your doctor is not in your plan, you can switch to a different one.

Can I Use This?

You can use this special rule if:

  • You signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan on the Medicare website
  • You picked that plan because it said your doctor was covered
  • You found out within 3 months that your doctor is NOT actually in the plan
  • Your plan started between January 1, 2026, and December 1, 2026

How Long Do I Have to Make a Change?

You have 3 months after your plan starts to make a change. So if your plan started on January 1st, you have until April 1st to switch.

Important: This special rule only works for 2026!

What Can I Do?

If you qualify, you can:

  • Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan
  • Go back to Original Medicare (regular Medicare)
  • Go back to Original Medicare and add a separate drug plan

Your new plan will start on the first day of the month after you sign up.

How Do I Make the Change?

It’s easy! Just follow these steps:

Call Medicare

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

Tell Them What Happened

Explain that:

  • You signed up for your plan on the Medicare website
  • Your doctor was supposed to be in the plan
  • You found out your doctor is NOT in the plan

Pick Your New Plan

The person on the phone will help you:

  • Choose a new Medicare Advantage plan that has your doctor, OR
  • Go back to regular Medicare

Why Does This Matter?

Your Doctor Is Important

Medicare wants to make sure you can see the doctor you trust. They know their website might have some mistakes in the first year, and they don’t want you to be stuck in the wrong plan because of that.

You Won’t Be Trapped

Before this new rule, if you picked a plan and your doctor wasn’t in it, you might have to wait a whole year to switch. Now you can fix it right away!

What Should You Do?

Before You Pick a Plan

  • Check if your doctor is covered
  • Call your doctor’s office to make sure they take the plan you want
  • Write down where you saw that your doctor was covered (just in case)

If You Find a Problem

  • Don’t wait! You only have 3 months
  • Call 1-800-MEDICARE right away
  • Have your plan name and doctor’s name ready when you call

Need Help?

Call Medicare

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

They can answer your questions and help you make changes.

Remember!

  • You have 3 months after your plan starts to make a change
  • This only works if you signed up on the Medicare website
  • This special rule is only for people whose plans start in 2026
  • You must call 1-800-MEDICARE – you can’t do this online

The Bottom Line: If you picked a Medicare Advantage plan in 2026 because your doctor was supposed to be covered, but then you found out your doctor ISN’T in the plan, you can switch! Just call 1-800-MEDICARE within 3 months of when your plan started.

Don’t suffer with a plan that doesn’t cover your doctor. Call and get the help you need!

 

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