What Lehigh Valley Residents Need to Know About Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

If you’re wondering, “Can I change my Medicare plan in February?” — the answer is yes, in certain situations.

For many Medicare beneficiaries in the Lehigh Valley, February falls within an important window called the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and are now having second thoughts, you may still have time to make a change.

Here’s what residents in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and surrounding Lehigh Valley communities need to know.

What Is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?

Each year, from January 1 through March 31, Medicare beneficiaries who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can make one change.

This period is officially known as the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP).

That means February is absolutely a month when changes are allowed — but only under specific rules.

Who Can Change Their Medicare Plan in February?

You can make a change in February if:

  • You are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C)

  • You want to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan

  • You want to return to Original Medicare (Part A & B)

You cannot use this period if you are enrolled in Original Medicare and simply want to join a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time. That opportunity happens during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7).

What Changes Can You Make?

During the January 1 – March 31 window, you may:

✔ Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another

Example: If your current plan’s network doesn’t include your preferred Lehigh Valley doctor or hospital.

✔ Drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare

You can also enroll in a standalone Part D prescription drug plan at that time.

✖ You cannot:

  • Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage (unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period)

  • Make multiple changes — you are limited to one change during this period

Why Do People Change Plans in February?

In the Lehigh Valley, we often see beneficiaries reconsider their plan after:

  • Realizing their doctor is out-of-network

  • Facing higher-than-expected copays

  • Discovering prescription medications aren’t covered as expected

  • Learning that prior authorizations are required

  • Experiencing delays in specialist referrals

Many people choose a plan during the fall Annual Enrollment Period without fully knowing how it will function in real-life situations. January is often the first time they actually use the coverage — and February is when they reassess.

Important Deadlines to Remember

If you make a change during February:

  • Your new coverage typically begins the first day of the month after your request is received

  • The deadline to submit changes is March 31

  • You only get one opportunity to make a change during this period

Waiting too long could mean staying in a plan you’re unhappy with for the rest of the year.

Special Considerations for Lehigh Valley Residents

Medicare Advantage plans are local — meaning:

  • Provider networks vary by county

  • Hospital participation differs between Lehigh and Northampton County

  • Plan premiums and benefits are region-specific

If you receive care through major Lehigh Valley health systems, it’s important to confirm that your providers are in-network before making any switch.

What works well in one Pennsylvania county may not be the best fit in another.

What If You Have Original Medicare?

If you’re on Original Medicare (Part A & B) with a Supplement, February typically does not allow you to switch into a Medicare Advantage plan unless:

  • You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period

  • You recently moved

  • You lost employer coverage

  • You qualify for Medicaid or Extra Help

Every situation is different — which is why reviewing your eligibility matters.

Should You Change Your Medicare Plan?

Before making a change, ask yourself:

  • Are my doctors in-network?

  • Are my prescriptions covered affordably?

  • Am I comfortable with the plan’s prior authorization requirements?

  • Do the copays align with my budget?

  • Does the plan include benefits I actually use (dental, vision, hearing)?

Switching plans can be helpful — but it should be strategic, not reactive.

Don’t Wait Until March

If you’re unhappy with your Medicare Advantage plan, February is one of your last opportunities to fix it before next fall.

After March 31, most beneficiaries must wait until the Annual Enrollment Period in October to make changes — unless they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

That’s a long time to stay in a plan that isn’t working for you.

Need Help Reviewing Your Options?

If you live in the Lehigh Valley and are unsure whether changing your Medicare plan makes sense, a local review can help clarify:

  • Your current plan’s costs and network

  • Available alternatives in your county

  • Prescription drug coverage comparisons

  • Whether returning to Original Medicare is possible

At Lehigh Valley Medicare Advisors, we help Pennsylvania retirees understand their options clearly — without pressure.

Final Takeaway

Yes — you can change your Medicare plan in February if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

But you only get one chance to make that change between January 1 and March 31.

If you’re questioning your coverage, now is the time to review it.

Your healthcare coverage should give you confidence — not confusion.

If you’d like a complimentary Medicare review to ensure your plan fits your needs here in the Lehigh Valley, schedule today.