Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15 – Dec 7)

What the Annual Enrollment Period is

Every year from October 15 to December 7, people with Medicare can change their Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan. Changes take effect on January 1. You may also hear it called Fall Open Enrollment or the Annual Election Period.

It exists because Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can change their costs, benefits, drug lists and networks every year. This window gives you the chance to make sure your plan still fits.

If you review your plan and you're happy with it, you don't need to do anything. Your coverage renews automatically.

What you can change

• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
• Move from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare, or from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
• Join, switch or drop a Part D drug plan

If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan and have second thoughts after January 1, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31) gives you one more chance to switch plans or return to Original Medicare.

Step 1: Read your Annual Notice of Change

By September 30, your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan will send you an Annual Notice of Change. It lists every change to your plan for next year, including premiums, copays, deductibles, covered drugs and networks. Keep it handy, because it's the best starting point for your review.

Step 2: Update your medication list

Write down every prescription you take, including:

• The name exactly as it appears on the bottle
• Whether it's brand name or generic
• The dose and how often you take it

Include any medications that changed this year or that your doctor plans to change. Photos of your bottles work too. With an accurate list, we can see exactly what each plan would charge you.

Step 3: Check with your doctors

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, networks matter. Ask each of your doctors' offices whether they'll be in your plan's network next year. Doctors can join or leave networks at any time, so it's worth asking directly.

Step 4: Compare plans

Plan details for the coming year are released around October 1. Even if your plan barely changed, another plan may offer the same coverage for less. A 20-minute review can save hundreds of dollars a year.

You can compare plans yourself with the Plan Finder at Medicare.gov. Enter your ZIP code, medications and pharmacy to see estimated yearly costs for every plan in your area. Creating a free Medicare.gov account lets you save your drug list for next time.

Or let us do the comparing for you. We'll review your options and send you a personal recommendation.

Switching from Medicare Advantage to a Medicare Supplement

You can leave a Medicare Advantage plan for Original Medicare during the Annual Enrollment Period, but getting a Medicare Supplement plan is a separate step. In most cases, supplement companies can ask health questions and decline your application. Questions vary by company, but they often ask about things like:

• Diabetes
• Heart attack, stroke or heart failure
• Recent cancer treatment
• COPD or other lung conditions

There's one important exception: if you joined Medicare Advantage for the first time within the past 12 months, you may have a "trial right" that guarantees you can get a supplement plan.

Never cancel your Medicare Advantage plan until a supplement company has approved you. We'll help you time the switch so you're never without coverage.

If you have a Medicare Supplement plan

The Annual Enrollment Period doesn't change Medicare Supplement plans. Their benefits are standardized and stay the same from year to year. Your premium can still go up, usually around your policy's anniversary date, and the company will send you a letter beforehand.

You can apply to switch supplement companies at any time of year, though you may have to answer health questions. If your rate has gone up, we can compare the same plan across companies to see if you qualify for a lower price.

If you have a supplement plan, fall is still a good time to review your separate Part D plan.

Want help reviewing your options?

Whether it's your first Annual Enrollment Period or your tenth, we're happy to help. Send us a review request through our contact page. Once next year's plans are released, we'll review your options and send you a personal recommendation. Questions? Call 702-768-7999.