Give Yourself a Head Start on AEP
The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7, but the review process behind a good decision takes real time. Spreading that work across the months leading up to AEP — rather than cramming it into a few weeks — makes for a much less stressful process.
July–August: Take Stock
Start by reviewing your current plan’s performance over the past year. Did it cover what you needed? Were there any surprise costs? Did you have any issues with network access or drug coverage? This is also a good time to update your medication list and confirm which doctors you’re currently seeing regularly.
September: Watch for Your Annual Notice of Change
Plans send an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter before AEP begins, outlining what’s different for the coming plan year — premium changes, formulary updates, network changes, and benefit adjustments. Read it carefully rather than setting it aside; it’s the fastest way to know if your current plan still fits.
Early October: Gather Your Comparison Materials
Before AEP officially opens, have your medication list, provider list, and a sense of your budget priorities ready to go, so you can move directly into comparing plans once AEP begins rather than starting the gathering process from scratch.
October 15: AEP Opens — Start Comparing
Begin comparing plans against your actual usage: doctors in-network, medications on the formulary at a reasonable cost tier, and total expected annual cost rather than premium alone. Starting in mid-October gives you weeks of room rather than days.
Mid-November: Narrow Down and Decide
By this point, you should have your comparison narrowed to one or two realistic options. This is a good time to reach out to a licensed agent if you want a second opinion before finalizing your choice.
Early December: Finalize Before December 7
Submit your enrollment or plan change well before the December 7 deadline — waiting until the very last days means competing with everyone else who waited, and enrollment systems and agents alike see the heaviest volume in the final week.
January 1: New Coverage Begins
Changes made during AEP take effect January 1 (Plan Year 2027). If you have any questions about how your new coverage works, the first few weeks of the new plan year is the time to get familiar with it before you need it.
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