What can I change during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs each year from October 15 through December 7.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D prescription drug plan, you can use this period to join, drop or switch plans for coverage beginning January 1 of the following year.

Plans and agents may begin marketing the following year’s plan offerings on October 1, so before then we cannot market next year’s specific plan benefits—even if we already know what changes are coming.

Why October 1, you ask? You cannot ask why you cannot ask—it is the government—so just deal with it.

Maybe you need to change plans and maybe you do not, but you should get independent help comparing your doctors, prescriptions, costs and benefits before deciding whether to stay put.

P.S. Do not assume that the plan or benefit advertised on national television is actually available where you live; verify the real options in your county with an independent agent.

Source: Medicare.gov: Open Enrollment

This general educational information is not individual plan advice. Plan availability and benefits vary by location and contract year.