Every year, people with Medicare can review their coverage and change plans during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7, according to Medicare.gov. Changes you make take effect on January 1 of the following year.
What you can do during this period
During the Annual Enrollment Period you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, switch back, change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, and join, switch or drop a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Plans can change their costs, coverage and drug lists each year, so it is worth comparing before the deadline even if you are happy with your current plan.
If you miss it
If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, there is a separate Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31 that lets you switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare. Some life events, such as moving out of your plan’s area, open a Special Enrollment Period. Outside these windows you generally cannot change plans, so do not wait until the last week.
Planning to turn 65 soon? Use the Initial Enrollment Period calculator instead, since the rules for new enrollees are different.
Dates are set by the Medicare program and are the same every year. Always confirm on Medicare.gov or at 1-800-MEDICARE before you decide. This tool is general information, not insurance advice.