The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (also called MA OEP) runs from January 1 through March 31 each year. This period is exclusively for people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. During this window, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare, or add a standalone Part D prescription drug plan if you return to Original Medicare. Your new coverage takes effect the first day of the month after your plan change is processed. Note that this is different from the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7), which is open to all Medicare beneficiaries. 

 No. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1–March 31) is only for people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. If you're currently on Original Medicare and want to join a Medicare Advantage plan, you must wait until the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7) or qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a qualifying life event such as moving to a new service area or losing other coverage. 

 Plan availability varies by county and ZIP code in the Lowcountry. Beaufort County, Jasper County, and Charleston County each have different plan offerings from carriers that may include UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, and regional insurers. The number of available plans decreased nationally by 1.3% in 2026, and some insurers reduced their geographic footprint. Grey Cardinal Insurance Group represents multiple carriers and can show you the specific plans available in your county, including network providers, formulary coverage, and out-of-pocket costs. Contact us for a personalized comparison based on your ZIP code and healthcare needs. 

 If your plan exited your county, you should have received a notice from your insurer. You have a Special Enrollment Period to select a new plan. First, compare the Medicare Advantage plans still available in your area using Medicare's Plan Finder tool or by contacting an independent broker like Grey Cardinal Insurance Group. Check whether your current doctors and hospitals are in-network with the new plans, verify your prescriptions are covered, and compare premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums. You can also choose to return to Original Medicare and add a standalone Part D drug plan and/or a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy, though Medigap enrollment may require medical underwriting unless you have guaranteed issue rights. 

 Provider networks vary by plan and carrier. Before enrolling in or switching to a Medicare Advantage plan, verify that your preferred providers—such as physicians at Hilton Head Medical Center, Coastal Carolina Hospital, Beaufort Memorial Hospital, or MUSC Health Charleston—are in the plan's network. You can check provider networks using Medicare's Plan Finder tool, calling the plan directly, or asking your provider's office which plans they accept. Grey Cardinal Insurance Group can help you confirm network status for your specific doctors and facilities before you enroll. 

 Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans require you to use a network of providers and typically require referrals from your primary care physician to see specialists. HMOs often have lower premiums but less flexibility. Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans allow you to see out-of-network providers (though at higher cost) and generally don't require referrals, offering more flexibility but usually higher premiums. HMO plans still comprise 57% of non-SNP Medicare Advantage offerings nationally. The right choice depends on whether you prioritize cost savings (HMO) or provider flexibility (PPO), and whether your preferred Lowcountry doctors participate in the plan's network. 

 Yes. Total value added across general enrollment Medicare Advantage plans declined by more than 7% in 2026, continuing a contraction that began in 2025. Non-Medicare-covered supplemental benefits (such as dental, vision, hearing, fitness memberships, and over-the-counter allowances) decreased by $7 per member per month from 2025 to 2026. Despite these reductions, at least 98% of plans still offer vision, dental, and hearing benefits, and rebate payments averaged more than $2,600 per enrollee in 2026. Plan value varies significantly by carrier and region, so it's important to compare specific plans available in your Lowcountry county rather than relying on national averages. 

 Star ratings are one important factor but not the only consideration. CMS rates plans on a 1-to-5 star scale based on quality measures including preventive screenings, chronic disease management, member satisfaction, and customer service. Plans rated 4 stars or above are considered high quality and receive bonus payments from Medicare. However, a 5-star plan may not include your preferred Lowcountry providers in-network, may not cover your specific medications at a favorable tier, or may have higher out-of-pocket costs for your health needs. Approximately 62% of Medicare Advantage enrollees were in 4+ star plans in 2025. Always verify network coverage, formulary details, and costs alongside star ratings when comparing plans. 

 Yes. Grey Cardinal Insurance Group serves clients throughout the Lowcountry, including Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Hardeeville, Beaufort, Charleston, Mt. Pleasant (SC), Savannah (GA), Brunswick (GA), and Jacksonville (FL). We're licensed in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Colorado. As an independent brokerage, we represent multiple carriers and can provide personalized comparisons of the Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Part D plans available in your specific county. Contact us at our Hilton Head office or schedule a consultation to review your options before the March 31 Open Enrollment deadline.