Every fall, Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) gives you a window to review and change your coverage for the year ahead. Whether you’re happy with your current plan or not, it’s worth taking a fresh look — plans and costs can shift from one year to the next even if your health hasn’t changed.
When AEP Happens
The Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7 every year. Any changes you make take effect January 1 of the following year. This is the main window for most people to switch Medicare Advantage plans, switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, or change Part D prescription drug plans.
What You Can Actually Change During AEP
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or vice versa
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Switch from one Part D prescription drug plan to another
- Enroll in a Part D plan for the first time if you didn’t previously have one
Note that AEP is not typically when you’d first enroll in Medicare itself — that’s governed by your Initial Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period, which follow different rules.
Why It’s Worth Reviewing Even If You’re Happy
Plans change their formularies, provider networks, and cost-sharing every year — sometimes significantly. A prescription that was covered on a low tier last year might move to a higher tier, or a doctor’s office might leave a plan’s network. Reviewing your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter, which plans mail out every September, is one of the simplest ways to catch these shifts before they affect you in January.
A Simple AEP Review Checklist
- Read your ANOC letter as soon as it arrives — it outlines what’s changing about your current plan for next year.
- Check your medications against your plan’s updated formulary and cost tiers.
- Confirm your doctors and preferred pharmacy are still in-network.
- Compare your total costs — premium, deductible, copays, and the Part D out-of-pocket cap ($2,100 in 2026) — not just the monthly premium.
- Ask about extra benefits like dental, vision, or hearing if those matter to you.
Getting Ready Before October
Waiting until the last week of AEP to start reviewing your options can mean rushing an important decision. Many people find it helpful to start thinking about their coverage in September, once ANOC letters arrive, so there’s time to compare options calmly. Our AEP page has more detail on the enrollment window, and if you’d like a hand reviewing your specific plan and options this fall, schedule a free consultation — we’re happy to walk through it with you well before the December 7 deadline.
Informational purposes only. This article is for general education and reflects 2026 Medicare figures and enrollment rules; it is not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and does not recommend any specific plan. Kayla Price is a licensed insurance agent (NPN 18530055) with Price Services Group, an independent agency not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for a complete view of all your options.