Medicare Advantage Annual Enrollment Period

At Parkview Health, thousands of Medicare-eligible patients rely on us for care. We want to help you understand all your paths: Traditional Medicare, Supplemental (Medigap) and Medicare Advantage. Explore your options here and make informed decisions with clarity.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP): What You Need to Know

If you’re currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, you have a special opportunity each year to review your coverage and make sure it still meets your needs. This period is called the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP), and it happens every year from January 1 through March 31.

What Can You Do During OEP?

During the OEP, you can make one change to your Medicare Advantage coverage. You may:

Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or
Return to Original Medicare (with the option to join a standalone Part D prescription drug plan)

Important: If you are enrolled in Original Medicare and have not chosen a Medicare Advantage plan, you cannot use OEP to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. This enrollment opportunity is only for people already in an MA plan as of January 1.

Why Consider Making a Change?

Your health needs, prescriptions, or budget may change from year to year – and Medicare Advantage plans can change too. OEP gives you the chance to:

Review your doctors and specialists
Check that your prescriptions are covered
Make sure your plan’s network aligns with the providers you want to see
Ensure your coverage still fits your lifestyle and health goals

Sometimes, changes in plan networks mean your preferred doctors or clinics may no longer be in-network. Reviewing your plan during OEP can help you confirm that your current coverage still meets your needs.

When Will Your New Coverage Start?

If you make a change during OEP (January 1–March 31), your new plan typically begins on the first day of the month after your enrollment request is submitted. For example, if you select a new plan and enroll on January 17, coverage under your new plan is likely to begin on February 1.

An Overview of your Medicare Options

Traditional Medicare (Parts A, B and D)

You can use any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare, anywhere in the U.S.
Includes Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance)
You can join Medicare Part D to get Medicare drug coverage.
You can purchase Medigap, also called a Medicare Supplement, to cover out-of-pocket costs, such as 20 percent coinsurance.

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

If you choose Medicare Advantage, you are not eligible for traditional Medicare coverage for that enrollment period.
Medicare Advantage plans are sponsored by private insurance companies. They offer “bundled” services, including hospital care, outpatient care, and usually prescription drug coverage.
Except for emergency services, Medicare Advantage plans may not be accepted by all providers, and only fully pay for services furnished by doctors and hospitals that are in network.
Medicare Advantage plans often require prior approval for care and certain drugs.
Medicare Advantage plans offer limited coverage for some services that are not covered by traditional Medicare, such as vision, hearing and dental.

Medicare Parts A and B, and Medicare Advantage Plans at a glance

	Medicare Parts A, B & D	Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Administered by:	Federal government	Private insurance companies
Coverage?	Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical)	Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) + optional extras
Do you pay a monthly premium?	Yes, for Part B. There is no Part A premium if you have at least 10 years of United States work history.	Yes, you still pay Medicare premiums and your plan may cost extra.
Cost to consumer?	You pay Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurances (usually 20 percent of the Medicare-approved cost for outpatient care).	You pay Medicare premiums and your plan's premiums, if it charges one. Your plan sets its own deductibles and copays (usually a fixed cost for each office visit). You may pay the full cost if you don't follow your plan's rules.
Supplemental insurance?	You can buy a Medicare Supplement policy (but only at certain times, depending on where you live).	You can't buy a Medicare Supplement policy to help pay your out-of-pocket costs in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Covered extra services?	No. Covers medically necessary inpatient and outpatient care. Doesn't cover certain services such as routine vision, hearing or dental care.	Maybe. May cover some services Medicare doesn't cover such as routine vision, hearing and dental care. All plans must cover the same inpatient and outpatient services Medicare covers.
Nationwide providers?	Yes, you can go to any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare.	Usually not. Most people have HMOs, which typically have local networks of providers you must use for the plan to cover your care. PPOs and PFFS plans should cover care you get outside the network, but you will pay more.
Referral needed for specialists?	No, you don't need a referral.	Maybe. You often need to get a referral from your Primary Care Physician if you want to see a specialist.
Covers drugs?	No, but if you want Medicare prescription drug coverage, you can buy a separate Part D plan.	Usually. Most plans include Part D prescription drug coverage. You usually can't get a separate plan if you have a Medicare Advantage plan (some exceptions).
Out of pocket limits?	No. There's no cap on what you spend on healthcare.	Yes. Plans must have an annual out-of-pocket limit, which can be high but protects you if you need expensive care. The plan pays the full cost of your care after you reach the limit.

Parkview In Network Medicare Advantage Plans (2026)

In 2026, the following plans will be accepted in Indiana only. Ohio participants will not change in 2026.

United Healthcare Medicare Advantage
Humana Medicare Advantage
Aetna Medicare Advantage

The following plans are also accepted in Indiana with limited participation:

Paramount Medicare Advantage – at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Parkview Hospital Randallia and Parkview Ortho Hospital only
Anthem Medicare Advantage – for Fully Integrated Dual Eligible (FIDE) plans only

Please note that Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans, from any state, will not be accepted in Indiana in 2026.

This list is for informational purposes only and not an endorsement. Plan availability and benefits may vary and change annually. Please review details or consult SHIP or eHealth for personalized assistance.

Get help comparing Medicare plans

SHIP

Get no-cost, unbiased help comparing Medicare options through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). While every state has an insurance assistance program, below are links that may be helpful to those in the Parkview Health service area.

Contact Indiana SHIP

Contact Ohio SHIP

Contact Michigan SHIP

eHealth (Licensed Help)

Talk with a licensed Medicare advisor to help you understand your options and ensure you can keep seeing your Parkview providers. To contact eHealth, call 1-800-343-2584 or click the link below.

Connect with eHealth

Helpful CMS resources

Medicare plan finder: compare plans and costs (including drug plan comparisons)
"What You Must Know About the Different Parts of Medicare": a quick breakdown of Parts A, B, C, D and Medigap
Medicare and You Handbook

Medicare Made Clear - Know Your Options this Enrollment Period