Medicare Annual Enrollment Period: What You Can Change

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. During this time, you can change your Medicare Advantage plan, switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, or join, switch, or drop a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Any changes made take effect on January 1 of the following year.

Key takeaways

• The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is from October 15 through December 7 annually.
• You can change Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.
• You can switch between Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and Medicare Advantage.
• Any new coverage selected during AEP begins on January 1 of the next year.
• This period is essential for reviewing your health and drug coverage to ensure it still meets your needs.

When Can You Change Medicare Plans?

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is a specific time each year when you can make changes to your Medicare coverage. This period begins on October 15 and ends on December 7. During these weeks, you have the opportunity to review your current health and prescription drug plans. You can then decide if a different plan might be a strong option for the upcoming year.

This is the most common time for many people to adjust their Medicare choices. It is important to know this deadline because changes made outside of this window are usually only possible under special circumstances. This fixed schedule helps ensure that everyone has a clear time to make plan decisions for the year ahead.

What Can You Change During AEP?

During the Annual Enrollment Period, you have several options to adjust your Medicare coverage. These choices allow you to tailor your benefits to your changing health needs or financial situation. Understanding what you can change helps you make informed decisions.

You can switch from Original Medicare (which includes Part A hospital insurance and Part B medical insurance) to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. A Medicare Advantage plan combines your Part A and Part B benefits, and often includes Part D prescription drug coverage. You can also switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare. If you switch to Original Medicare, you can also join a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan and may also be able to buy a Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) policy, though this often involves medical underwriting unless you have specific guaranteed-issue rights.

If you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan. You might choose a plan with a different network of doctors or different extra benefits, such as vision, dental, or hearing coverage. Similarly, if you have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, you can switch to a different Part D plan. You can also join a Part D plan if you don't have one, or drop your existing Part D plan entirely.

Can You Change Medigap During AEP?

The Annual Enrollment Period generally does not allow you to change your Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) policy without medical underwriting. Medical underwriting means an insurance company can ask about your health history, and based on your answers, they might deny you coverage or charge you higher premiums. Medigap policies work with Original Medicare to help cover some costs like deductibles and coinsurance. If you want to change your Medigap policy outside of specific situations, an insurance company can ask you health questions. They might deny coverage or charge you more based on your health.

One exception is a guaranteed-issue right. This means an insurance company must sell you a Medigap policy. They cannot charge you more because of your health, and they cannot deny coverage or exclude pre-existing conditions. These rights apply in specific situations. For example, if you switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare because your plan leaves Medicare or stops serving your area, you typically have this right. This generally runs from the date of the non-renewal notice until 63 days after your plan coverage ends.

Under federal rules, these rights ensure access to Medigap Plans A, B, D, and G. If you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you might also have rights to Plans C or F. State rules can sometimes add more rights. This is different from your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which starts the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During that specific six-month period, you can buy any Medigap policy offered, regardless of health. Plan details for Medigap vary by location and carrier.

What Changes Are Not Allowed?

While the AEP offers many choices, some changes are not permitted during this time. For instance, you cannot use AEP to sign up for Medicare Part A or Part B if you missed your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). If you need to enroll in Part A or Part B for the first time outside of your IEP, you would typically use the General Enrollment Period (GEP), which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year, with coverage starting July 1.

Also, if you are new to Medicare and are enrolling for the very first time, you would typically use your Initial Enrollment Period. This 7-month period includes the 3 months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month, and the 3 months after. For more details on this, you can check Understanding Your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). The AEP is primarily for those already on Medicare to make plan adjustments for the coming year, not for initial enrollment in Part A or B.

• You generally cannot use AEP to enroll in a Medigap plan without medical underwriting, unless you have a specific guaranteed-issue right.
• You cannot use AEP to enroll in Original Medicare (Part A or Part B) for the first time if you missed your Initial Enrollment Period.
• Some specific Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) for certain situations, like losing employer coverage, have their own timing rules and are not tied to AEP.

Why Review Your Coverage Each Year?

Your health needs can change from year to year. You might have new doctors, new prescriptions, or different health goals. Similarly, Medicare plans themselves can change. Insurance companies adjust their benefits, costs, and provider networks annually. A plan that worked well for you last year might not be the ideal fit for the next.

Reviewing your coverage during AEP helps you ensure your plan continues to meet your unique situation. This proactive step can help reduce the chance of unexpected costs or gaps in coverage. Many people find it helpful to look at their options even if they are satisfied with their current plan. It is a strong practice to confirm you still have suitable coverage.

Understanding Your Annual Notice of Change

Each September, if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plan, you will receive an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). This document is very important. It tells you about any changes to your plan's coverage, costs, or service area for the next calendar year. These changes could include differences in premiums, deductibles, copayments, or which drugs are covered on the plan's formulary.

It is crucial to read your ANOC carefully. Comparing the information in your ANOC with your current plan year details helps you see what will be different. This document is a key tool to help you decide if your current plan is still right for you. If your plan is undergoing significant changes, it might be an ideal time to explore other options during AEP. For a comprehensive guide on reading your ANOC, you can refer to "How to Read Your Medicare Advantage Annual Notice of Change" at How to Read Your Medicare Advantage Annual Notice of Change.

What Should Be On Your Checklist?

Deciding on a Medicare plan can feel complex, but a simple checklist can guide you. First, gather all your current health information. This includes a list of your doctors, hospitals you use, and all your prescription medications. Make sure to note the dosages for each prescription.

Next, review your current plan's Annual Notice of Change to see what will change next year. Consider your budget. Look at how much you spent on healthcare and prescriptions in the past year. Think about what you expect to spend in the coming year.

When exploring new plans, check if your preferred doctors are in their network. Verify that all your prescriptions are on the plan's formulary (covered drug list). Also, compare the overall costs, including premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums. Plan details vary by location and carrier.

Carefully checking these items helps you choose a plan that aligns with your specific health and financial needs for the upcoming year.

Comparing Your Plan Options?

Medicare.gov is a valuable resource for comparing different plan options available in your area. You can enter your medications and preferred pharmacies to see estimated costs for various Part D plans. For Medicare Advantage plans, you can compare benefits like dental, vision, and hearing coverage, which Original Medicare does not typically cover.

When comparing plans, remember that a Medicare Advantage plan bundles your Part A, Part B, and often Part D benefits into one plan. Original Medicare, on the other hand, consists of Part A and Part B, and you can add a separate Part D plan and a Medigap policy. The right choice depends on your individual preferences and circumstances. The standard 2026 Part B premium is $202.90 each month; this is a cost you will pay regardless of whether you choose Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover part of this cost, though plan benefits can vary significantly by location and carrier.

Many plans offer additional benefits not found in Original Medicare. For example, some Medicare Advantage plans might offer fitness memberships or transportation to doctor appointments. These can be attractive features for many people. It's important to look at the total value of the plan, not just the monthly premium.

How Do Late Enrollment Penalties Affect You?

Missing certain enrollment periods or delaying enrollment in Medicare Part B or Part D can result in late enrollment penalties. These penalties are added to your monthly premium and are generally permanent. For Part B, the penalty is an extra 10% for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B but did not sign up.

For example, if you waited three full years to sign up for Part B when you were eligible, your Part B premium would be 30% higher. If the 2026 standard Part B premium is $202.90, an extra 30% would add about $60.87 to your monthly premium.

A Part D late enrollment penalty can also apply if you go 63 days or more without creditable drug coverage (drug coverage at least as good as Medicare's) after your Initial Enrollment Period. The Part D penalty is 1% of the national base beneficiary premium for each full month you didn't have creditable coverage. For 2026, the national base beneficiary premium is $38.99. So, if you had 14 months without creditable coverage, your penalty would be 14% of $38.99, which is about $5.46, rounded to $5.50 each month.

People who receive Extra Help (the Low-Income Subsidy) pay no Part D late enrollment penalty. It is wise to reduce the risk of these penalties by enrolling in Medicare parts when you are first eligible or during appropriate enrollment periods. Reviewing your options during AEP can help prevent such penalties. For more information on enrollment periods, you can read "Medicare Enrollment Periods: Don't Miss These Deadlines" at Medicare Enrollment Periods: Don't Miss These Deadlines.

Next Steps After AEP

Once the Annual Enrollment Period ends on December 7, your new Medicare plan choices take effect on January 1. You should receive new plan membership materials before the new year begins. It is a good idea to confirm your new plan's effective date and understand how to use your new benefits.

If you find that your chosen Medicare Advantage plan isn't working for you after January 1, you have another opportunity to make a change. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1 to March 31. During this time, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or switch back to Original Medicare, and if you do, join a Part D plan. This period does not allow you to switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or to join a Part D plan if you have Original Medicare and did not have Part D before.

Remember, your healthcare needs and Medicare plans can change. Staying informed and reviewing your options annually helps you maintain coverage that is well-suited to your needs.

Have questions? Call 1-877-443-3251 to talk it through with a licensed insurance agent. You never pay the agent; the plans they represent do, and the decision stays yours.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.