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.

View Our Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Guide

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. 

Medicare Guide to Annual Enrollment

Medicare Guide

Understand your Medicare plan options and learn what actions to take and when.

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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

Overview of Medicare Enrollment Periods

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:

• Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): The 7-month initial enrollment period when you can first sign up for Medicare Parts A, B, C or D. This period spans:
  • 3 months before your 65th birthday
  • The month of your 65th birthday
  • 3 months after your 65th birthday
• Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): An election period that allows you to make changes to your Medicare coverage each year. 
• Open Enrollment Period (OEP): Applies only to those with Medicare Advantage, who can change Medicare Advantage plans or drop them and return to Original Medicare
• General Enrollment Period (GEP): Open enrollment period to join Medicare Part A and B.
• Special Enrollment Period (SEP): Occurs if you have eligible life changes that mean you need to change your plan before the next annual enrollment period.

Be sure to visit our guide to different enrollment periods to learn more.

What’s the Difference Between Medicare AEP and the Medicare General Enrollment Period?

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.

What Changes Can I Make During the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?

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:

• Change Medicare Advantage plans.
• Change Prescription Drug (Part D) plans. 
• Enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan.
• Cancel your Prescription Drug Plan.
• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
• Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare (and add a Part D plan or Medicare Supplement plan if needed).

5 Tips to Prepare for the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period

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.

1. Mark Your Calendar

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.

2. Review Your Medicare Annual Notice of Change

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:

• Did the plan cover the services I needed?
• Did I use out-of-network providers?
• Did I spend more out of pocket than I originally anticipated?
• Has something changed with my health (new diagnosis, new prescriptions, etc.)?

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.

3. Make a List of What’s Important to Your Health

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.

4. Check Your Plan’s Drug Formulary

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.

5. Talk To Your Doctor

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.

What Changes Can I Make During the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?

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:

• Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
• Disenroll from your Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare.
• Change from one prescription drug plan (Medicare Part D) to another.
• Enroll in a prescription drug plan.
• Cancel your prescription drug coverage.

What Are The Benefits of a Medicare Advantage Plan?

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: 

• Dental and vision coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Access to fitness programs
• Health incentive programs
• Rides to medical appointments
• Telemedicine services

Note: If you have limited income, you might also qualify for extra savings on Medicare costs through these programs.

• Medicare Savings Programs. These programs help pay for some of your Medicare Part A and Part B out-of-pocket costs, such as copays, deductibles and premiums. Most programs are for Medicare beneficiaries who also qualify for Medicaid. And as mentioned, Medicaid covers the majority of your costs when you join a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan. You can check if you qualify through your local Medicaid office.
• Medicare Extra Help. Extra Help reduces your Medicare prescription drug plan costs. You should contact Social Security to check your eligibility for Extra Help if you have an existing Medicare drug plan or you join one during AEP.

Find A Medicare Advantage Plan During AEP

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:

• Your Medicare number, which is found on your red, white and blue ID card.
• Your list of prescription drugs and preferred pharmacy.
• Your list of preferred doctors and hospitals.We’re here to help you compare your options and find you a Medicare plan that meets your individual needs.