Frequently Asked Questions
When is Medicare Annual Enrollment Period 2026?
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. Any changes made during this window take effect January 1, 2027. This is the main opportunity to switch Medicare plans, join or change a Part D drug plan, or move between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare.
What can I change during Medicare Annual Enrollment?
During AEP you can switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, switch between Medicare Advantage plans, switch back to Original Medicare, join a Medicare Part D plan, switch to a different Part D plan, or drop Part D coverage entirely. You cannot use AEP to enroll in Medicare for the first time — that requires an Initial Enrollment Period or Special Enrollment Period.
Do I have to do anything during Medicare AEP?
You are not required to make changes. If you do nothing, you stay enrolled in your current plan with all its January 1 changes. However, Medicare plans change their premiums, drug formularies, and provider networks every January — not reviewing during AEP often means paying more than necessary or losing coverage for your doctors and medications.
How do I compare Medicare plans during AEP?
Use Medicare.gov Plan Finder. Enter your zip code, all your medications with dosages, and your preferred pharmacy. The tool calculates your estimated annual total cost for every available plan. Sort by lowest total annual cost — not just premium. Call SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) for free, unbiased help: shiphelp.org.
What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31, 2027. During this window, you can make one additional change: switch between Medicare Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare. You cannot use this period to switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage.
October 15 is the most important date on every Medicare beneficiary's calendar. That is when Annual Enrollment Period opens — your once-a-year window to change Medicare plans, switch drug coverage, and potentially save hundreds or thousands of dollars. This step-by-step action plan tells you exactly what to do before December 7.
October 15: AEP opens — you can start comparing and switching
September: Watch for Annual Notice of Change letter from your plan
December 7: AEP closes — all changes must be made by midnight
January 1, 2027: All AEP changes take effect
Step 1 — Read Your Annual Notice of Change (September)
Every September, your Medicare plan sends an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter. This document tells you every change your plan is making for the coming year: premium increases, benefit reductions, formulary changes, and network changes. Read it carefully — do not file it away unread. The ANOC is your signal for how urgently you need to shop for alternatives. If your premiums increased more than 5%, a major medication was removed, or your doctor left the network — these are clear signals to compare plans actively during AEP.
Step 2 — Make Your Checklist Before October 15
Before AEP opens, prepare three lists:
- Doctors: Every physician you see regularly — primary care, all specialists, your preferred hospital. These must be in-network on any plan you choose.
- Medications: Every prescription with exact drug name, dosage, and quantity. Drug formularies are plan-specific — the same medication can cost dramatically different amounts on different plans.
- Your healthcare usage pattern: How often you see doctors, whether you have upcoming procedures planned, whether you travel frequently and need nationwide coverage.
Step 3 — Use Medicare.gov Plan Finder (15 Minutes)
Go to medicare.gov and click "Find health and drug plans." Enter your zip code, your medications, and your preferred pharmacy. The tool returns every plan available in your area with an estimated annual total cost calculated for your specific medications. This is the most important number — not the monthly premium. Sort results by "Lowest drug + premium cost." A plan with a $0 premium and high drug copays often costs far more than a $35/month plan with low drug copays for your specific medications.
Step 4 — Check Your Doctor Network for Next Year
Do not assume your doctors are still in-network. Provider networks change every January. Call your doctor's office and confirm: "Will you be in [plan name] for 2027?" Do not rely solely on online directories — they can be out of date. For Medicare Advantage plans, this step is critical. For Original Medicare, any Medicare-participating provider nationwide is always covered.
Step 5 — Get Free Help if Needed
SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling in every state. Counselors have no financial stake in which plan you choose (unlike insurance agents who earn commissions). They can compare plans with you using your actual medication and doctor lists. Find your state's SHIP at shiphelp.org or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Step 6 — Make Your Change by December 7
Once you have decided on a plan change, enroll by December 7. You can switch online at medicare.gov, by calling Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE, by calling the new plan directly, or by contacting a licensed broker. Keep a record of your enrollment — a confirmation number or letter. The change takes effect January 1, 2027.
What Does NOT Change During AEP
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) enrollment does not change during AEP. Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans are not governed by AEP — Medigap can be changed or canceled at any time, but insurers in most states can underwrite (check health and potentially deny coverage) outside your initial enrollment period.
- Mark October 15 on your calendar now — and block 15 minutes for Plan Finder comparison
- Read your September ANOC letter immediately when it arrives
- Prepare your doctor and medication lists before October 15
- Use Medicare.gov Plan Finder — sort by total annual cost, not monthly premium
- Confirm your doctors' 2027 network participation — call their offices
- Contact SHIP for free help if plans feel overwhelming
- Complete any changes by December 7