The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), sometimes called Medicare Open Enrollment or the Medicare Annual Election Period, runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. This is the time period in which Medicare-eligible consumers can make certain changes to their Medicare plans. These plan changes would then become effective on January 1.
Medicare plan costs and benefits can change annually, so it's wise to review your Medicare coverage each year. Use our Guide to the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period as a resource to review your current Medicare plan on an annual basis, then call our licensed insurance agents to compare Medicare plans during AEP.
Call to compare Medicare plans: 1-888-605-1433 (TTY 711).
Our licensed insurance agents are available to help 7 days a week.
Weekdays: 8am – 11pm ET
Saturday: 10am – 7pm ET
Sunday: 11am – 6pm ET
It's important to know that the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is different from other Medicare enrollment periods. Here’s a quick overview of the differences:
Be sure to visit our guide to different enrollment periods to learn more.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is sometimes confused with the Medicare General Enrollment period, which is January 1 to March 31 each year. It’s important to understand the differences between the two enrollment periods.
The Medicare General Enrollment Period is for Medicare beneficiaries who didn’t sign up for Medicare Part A) or Part B when they first became eligible and aren’t eligible for a Medicare Part B special enrollment period. The AEP, however, is for beneficiaries who are already enrolled in Medicare and want to change their Medicare coverage.
The first thing to know is that you cannot use the Medicare Annual Election Period to enroll in Medicare Part A or Part B for the first time.
If you’re enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B and you’d like to change your Medicare coverage, here are some things you can do during the Medicare AEP:
There are many Medicare insurance carriers and plan options, but there are several steps you can take to be a savvy shopper and choose the right plan for your unique needs.
This may seem like an obvious tip, but it’s worth mentioning: Mark your calendar for October 15 through December 7 if you’d like to make a change to your Medicare plan.
You might even set aside a few hours to research and compare Medicare Advantage plans and Prescription Drug plans ahead of October 15. These plans announce their benefits for the next year starting on October 1.
Writing down these Medicare AEP dates and to-dos will help you to commit to these priorities.
You’ll receive lots of information over the next month or so prior to and during AEP, so if you’re currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan, the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) is one piece of mail you’ll want to read.
Your Medicare plan will mail your Annual Notice of Change letter to you by September 30. The ANOC letter will inform you of most changes to your Medicare health plan, including coverage and benefits that will take effect on January 1 each year.
Each year, your Medicare health plan sets the amounts it will charge you for premiums, deductibles and other services. Medicare doesn’t set these rates - but your insurance company does. With this in mind, the amounts you pay could change each year.
While evaluating your current Medicare plan, you may want to ask yourself questions like:
The ANOC will also provide a side-by-side comparison of your current plan and next year’s plan benefits, costs and other changes (if any).
Moral of the story: Don’t toss this piece of mail aside. Always review your ANOC to ensure your plan continues to meet your needs on an annual basis. And if you don’t receive your ANOC by September 30, contact your Medicare insurance company.
Keeping a list of what’s important to your health is an invaluable way to prepare for the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period.
Start by writing down all of your doctors, preferred health care facilities and hospitals, and prescription drugs, if you take any.
We also recommend making a list of value-added benefits that may fit your health, lifestyle and budget.
For example, you may be someone who likes to keep active and have social interaction. So a fitness program like SilverSneakers, which gives you access to a network of gyms and other programs, might be a good fit for you. A Medicare Advantage plan may provide these types of fitness or wellness programs.
Another thing to consider is whether or not you have an elective surgery planned for 2023. If so, you’ll want to check your hospital-specific benefits under your current Medicare Advantage plan.
Your Medicare plan’s drug formulary will not be included in your Annual Notice of Change, so be sure you call your insurance carrier to see if your prescription drugs will be covered for the 2023 plan year.
If your prescription drugs aren’t covered, it’s wise to use the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period to find a plan that does cover them.
Another “Medicare must-do” is to make sure all of your doctors and healthcare facilities will remain in network with your current Medicare plan. If they aren’t, you may want to take advantage of the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period.
So be sure to ask your doctor if he or she plans on changing health plan affiliations over the next year.
The first thing to know is that you cannot use the Medicare Annual Election Period to enroll in Medicare Part A or Part B for the first time.
But if you’re enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B and you’d like to change your Medicare coverage, here are some things you can do during the Medicare Annual Election Period:
Understanding your Medicare plan options - starting with a Medicare Advantage plan - is a smart first step to take because you can switch, enroll into or disenroll from Medicare Advantage plans during AEP.
Medicare Advantage plans, otherwise known as “Medicare Part C” or “MA Plans,” bundle Original Medicare (Parts A and B) services into one plan. These plans are offered by private insurance companies. And while Original Medicare offers you a number of benefits, it may not cover health and medical services you might need.
Medicare Advantage plans are appealing to many people because they’re considered “all-in-one” plans that give you an annual cap on your spending as well as access to extra benefits, which may include:
To enroll in an eligible plan during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, you can use our comparison tool as a guide to assess your needs and help you choose a Medicare plan. Or, you can give us a call.
Our licensed insurance agents are available to help 7 days a week. Call us toll-free at 1-888-605-1433 (TTY 711).
Weekdays: 8am – 11pm ET
Saturday: 10am – 7pm ET
Sunday: 11am – 6pm ET
Tip: Be sure to have these 3 items handy before you call us or enroll in a Medicare plan online during AEP: