Annual Election Period
Review current coverage and available alternatives during the fall election period.
Fall dates and effective date
Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7. A plan must receive the election by December 7 for coverage generally effective January 1. During this window, eligible people can join, switch or drop Medicare Advantage or Part D, or move from Original Medicare to Advantage and vice versa. This plan-election window does not automatically reopen someone’s Medigap purchase protections.
Official source: Medicare: Open Enrollment ↗ · Medicare: Joining a plan ↗ · Medicare: Buying Medigap ↗
Compare the coming year
Use the Annual Notice of Change to find upcoming shifts in premium, benefits, service area and other plan terms. Read the new Evidence of Coverage, drug formulary and provider directory for the year taking effect January 1. Costs and provider relationships may change even if the company and plan name look familiar. Do not compare a current-year plan with a next-year price.
Official source: Medicare: Annual Notice of Change ↗ · Medicare: Evidence of Coverage ↗ · Medicare: Yearly review ↗
Match plans to the actual person
List medicines, dosage, pharmacy, physicians, hospitals and planned treatments. Medicare’s comparison tool can estimate local drug spending and show plans available for the residential ZIP. Confirm each provider directly with the plan and office. Note any prior authorization, referral and out-of-network limitations that would affect care after the switch.
Official source: Medicare: Compare plans ↗ · Medicare: Provider network fact sheet ↗ · Medicare: Drug plan rules ↗
Keeping coverage can be an informed choice
If you compare and remain satisfied, Medicare says you generally do not need to make an election for existing plan coverage to continue, though next-year benefit and cost changes still take effect January 1. Keep a record of the review and watch for notices. A plan nonrenewal, move or loss of other coverage can change the available actions and deadlines.
Official source: Medicare: Yearly review ↗ · Medicare: Special election situations ↗
After filing a change
Retain the confirmation number and verify the plan effective date, ID card and drug coverage. If changing from Advantage to Original Medicare, consider a separate drug plan and check any Medigap right before dropping existing protection. A plan comparison is only useful if enrollment is completed in a valid window and the new network and formulary are workable.
Official source: Medicare: Joining a plan ↗ · Medicare: Buying Medigap ↗