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What is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, or AEP, runs from October 15 to December 7 every year. It's the main window to review your Medicare coverage and make changes for the year ahead. Any change you make takes effect on January 1.
During AEP, you can:
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
- Join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan.
- Move from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare.
If you do nothing, most plans renew automatically — even if the premium, the network, or the drug list changed. A plan that fit well this year may not fit next year, which is why a quick review every fall is worth the time.
The 7-point AEP checklist
Work through these in order. Each one takes a few minutes, and the free printable below gives you a place to write your answers down.
1. Read your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, your plan sends an Annual Notice of Change each fall, usually by late September. It lists what will be different next year — premiums, copays, the drug list, and the network. Read it before anything else, because it tells you whether the plan you have is still the plan you picked. If you can't find it, call the number on your member card and ask for a copy.
2. Make sure every doctor and hospital is still in network
Networks change from year to year, and a doctor who is in network today may not be on January 1. Write down every doctor, specialist, and hospital you use, then check each one against next year's directory. When in doubt, call the office and ask which plans they will take next year.
3. Look up every prescription on next year's drug list
Each plan has a drug list, called a formulary, and it can change every year. Look up each prescription at your dose. Check which tier it's on, whether it needs prior authorization or step therapy, and what you'd pay over a full year — not just for one fill.
4. Check that your pharmacy is still in network and preferred
Many plans have "preferred" pharmacies with lower copays, and that list can change too. Confirm your pharmacy is in network next year and whether it's preferred. If you use mail order, check that it's still an option.
5. Compare the total yearly cost, not just the premium
The monthly premium is only one piece. Add up the premium, the deductibles, the copays for the care you expect to use, and the maximum out-of-pocket — the most you could pay in a bad year. A $0 premium plan is not "free" if the copays and out-of-pocket limit are higher.
6. Only count the extras you'll actually use
Dental, vision, hearing, and over-the-counter allowances can be helpful, but they vary a lot. Check what's actually covered and the yearly limits. An extra benefit you won't use shouldn't outweigh your doctors, drugs, and total cost.
7. Plan for next year's life
Think about what next year might bring. If you travel or spend part of the year in another state, check how the plan handles care away from home. If you have a planned surgery, a move, or a new diagnosis, make sure the plan fits what's coming — not just what happened last year.
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage (quick comparison)
| Original Medicare | Medicare Advantage | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Parts A and B from the federal program, often paired with a Medigap plan and a Part D drug plan | One private plan that covers Parts A and B, and usually drugs |
| Doctors | Any provider in the U.S. that accepts Medicare | Usually a network (HMO or PPO); going out of network can cost more or may not be covered |
| Out-of-pocket limit | None on its own; a Medigap plan can cover most gaps | Yes — a yearly maximum out-of-pocket |
| Extras | Generally not included | Often includes some dental, vision, or hearing |
Rule of thumb: neither is better for everyone. Original Medicare gives you the widest choice of doctors. Medicare Advantage puts everything in one plan with a yearly cap on what you pay. The right fit depends on your doctors, your prescriptions, how you like to get care, and your budget.
The switch you can't always undo
If you have a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan and drop it to join a Medicare Advantage plan, getting back into Medigap later isn't guaranteed. In many states, you may have to answer health questions, and you could be turned down or charged more.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't switch. It means you should talk it through first, so the decision is one you can live with if your health changes.
Medicare scam red flags during AEP
Fall is busy season for scammers, too. Watch for:
- "I'm calling from Medicare" cold calls. Medicare does not cold-call to sell plans.
- Pressure to decide right now.
- Ads promising extra cash in your Social Security check.
- Anyone asking for your Medicare number before explaining anything.
For free, official help, go to Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Missed AEP? Other enrollment windows
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment, January 1 – March 31. If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare.
- Special Enrollment Periods. Certain life events, such as moving or losing other coverage, can open a window to make changes outside AEP.
Your free printable
No email needed. Print it or save it as a PDF.
- Biggest changes:
- My doctors:
- My prescriptions:
- My pharmacy:
- Est. yearly cost:
- Extras I use:
- Coming up next year:
- "I'm calling from Medicare" — Medicare doesn't cold-call to sell plans
- Pressure to decide today
- Promises of extra cash in your Social Security check
- Asks for your Medicare number before explaining anything
Free official help: Medicare.gov · 1-800-MEDICARE
Common questions
When is Medicare open enrollment for 2027 coverage?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period for 2027 coverage runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. Any change you make takes effect January 1, 2027. If you make more than one change during the window, the last one you make before December 7 is the one that counts.
What happens if I don't do anything during AEP?
In most cases your current plan renews automatically for next year, even if its premium, network, or drug list changed. That's why it's worth reading your Annual Notice of Change and checking your doctors and prescriptions every fall. Doing nothing is a choice — just make sure it's an informed one.
What is an Annual Notice of Change?
An Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) is a letter Medicare Advantage and Part D plans send each fall, usually by late September. It explains what's changing in your plan for next year, such as premiums, copays, covered drugs, and the network. If you didn't get one, call the member services number on your plan card.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare?
Yes. You can switch back to Original Medicare during the Annual Enrollment Period, and if you're in a Medicare Advantage plan you can also do it during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31. Keep in mind that buying a Medigap plan afterward may require answering health questions in many states, and you could be turned down. Talk it through before you switch.
Is a $0 premium Medicare Advantage plan really free?
Not necessarily. A $0 premium means no extra monthly plan premium, but you generally still pay your Part B premium, plus deductibles, copays, and coinsurance when you get care. Compare the total yearly cost, including the maximum out-of-pocket, before deciding.
Does Medicare call people to sell plans?
No. Medicare does not cold-call people to sell plans or ask for personal information. If someone calls saying they're from Medicare and asks for your Medicare number, hang up. For free, unbiased help, go to Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
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