AEP 2026 Runs October 15 – December 7
The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the one window each year when most Medicare beneficiaries can freely switch Medicare Advantage plans, change Part D drug plans, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage — with changes taking effect January 1, 2027. It’s also the window where avoidable mistakes tend to happen, usually from rushing or assuming last year’s plan is still the right fit.
Mistake 1: Assuming Your Plan Hasn’t Changed
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can change their premiums, formularies, provider networks, and covered benefits every single year. A plan that was a great fit last year might have dropped your pharmacy from its preferred network or moved a medication to a higher cost tier. Read your plan’s Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter — don’t assume silence means nothing changed.
Mistake 2: Comparing Plans on Premium Alone
A $0 premium plan can still cost more overall than a plan with a modest premium, depending on copays, coinsurance, and whether your specific doctors and medications are covered favorably. Total expected annual cost — not just the monthly premium — is what actually matters.
Mistake 3: Not Checking Your Doctors’ Network Status Every Year
Provider networks shift. A specialist who was in-network last year may not be this year. Confirming network status directly with the plan (not just relying on last year’s information) avoids an unpleasant surprise after your new plan takes effect.
Mistake 4: Waiting Until December 7
AEP gives you almost two months, but enrollment systems, agents, and plan customer service lines all see a crunch in the final week. Starting your review in October gives you room to actually compare plans instead of making a rushed decision.
Mistake 5: Not Asking for Help When the Comparison Gets Complicated
Comparing formularies, networks, and total costs across multiple plans is genuinely complex, and getting it wrong can mean a full year with the wrong coverage. A licensed agent can walk through the comparison with you at no cost.
Have questions? Schedule a free review with Kayla Price, a licensed insurance agent at Price Services Group. Call 866-648-1578 or visit priceservicesgroup.com/schedule.
Price Services Group, LLC is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. NPN: 18530055 | Agency NPN: 20387435