How to Change Your Medicare Plan During Open Enrollment

Switch Medicare Advantage plans or drug plans during the fall Open Enrollment period from October 15 to December 7.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Check your plan's Annual Notice of Change
2.Go to medicare.gov/plan-compare
3.Run a fresh comparison for next year
4.Enroll in the new plan
5.Save your confirmation

Check your plan's Annual Notice of Change

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Every September, your current plan mails you a packet called the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). Look at any differences for next year — new drug costs, removed doctors, or a higher premium.

Go to medicare.gov/plan-compare

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Open your browser and go to medicare.gov/plan-compare. Enter your ZIP code, then sign in with your Medicare account so the tool remembers your drugs and doctors.

Run a fresh comparison for next year

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The tool will show all plans available next year, including your current one. Sort by Total Yearly Cost to see which plan saves you the most based on the drugs you actually take.

Enroll in the new plan

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When you find a better plan, click Enroll. Medicare handles the switch automatically — you do NOT need to cancel your old plan, it drops off on December 31.

Save your confirmation

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After enrolling, save the confirmation email or number. Your new plan card will arrive in the mail by mid-December. Coverage starts January 1 of the new year.

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You've completed: How to Change Your Medicare Plan During Open Enrollment

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Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 every year. During this window, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, change drug plans, or move from Advantage back to Original Medicare — no questions asked.

Plans change their drug lists and doctor networks every year, so it is worth comparing your current plan to new options each fall. Changes you make take effect January 1.

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