Medicare Open Enrollment: What to Know Before It Starts

Medicare Open Enrollment (officially called the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period) runs every year from October 15 through December 7. During this window, anyone with Medicare can change their coverage for the following year — switching between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, changing Medicare Advantage plans, or changing your Part D prescription drug plan. Changes you make take effect January 1 of the next year.

Even if you're happy with your current plan, it's worth reviewing it every year, because plans can change their costs, covered drugs, and doctor networks from one year to the next without much notice. A plan that was the best fit last year might raise your premium, drop a medication you take from its covered list, or remove your doctor from its network. Reviewing your options each fall, even briefly, helps you catch these changes before they cost you money or access to care you need.

You'll get an "Annual Notice of Change" letter from your current plan every September, which explains what's changing for the upcoming year — this is worth reading carefully rather than setting aside. If you decide to make a change, you can compare plans at medicare.gov/plan-compare, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or work with a licensed insurance agent or your State Health Insurance Help Program (SHIP) counselor, which offers free, unbiased help. Source: medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/medicare-basics/openenrollment.