Medicare Annual Enrollment: what you can change before December 7

Every fall, Medicare Annual Enrollment gives you a window to look at your coverage and make changes for the coming year. It runs from October 15 to December 7, and any change you make takes effect on January 1.

Many people skip it because their plan “seems fine.” But plans change every year: premiums, drug lists and doctor networks can all shift. A 20-minute review now can save you a surprise in January.

What you can change during Medicare Annual Enrollment

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or the other way around
• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
• Join, switch or drop a Part D prescription drug plan
• Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage to one without, or the other way around

Five things to check before you renew

1. Read your Annual Notice of Change. Your plan mails it each fall. It lists what changes on January 1: premiums, copays, deductibles and covered drugs.
2. Check your prescriptions. Make sure each of your drugs is still on the plan’s list, and at what cost tier. A drug moving to a higher tier can raise your costs quickly.
3. Check your doctors and hospitals. Medicare Advantage networks change. Confirm your doctors and preferred hospital are still in network for next year.
4. Compare total yearly costs, not just the premium. A $0 premium plan can cost more overall if its copays and out-of-pocket maximum are higher. Add up what you actually expect to use. You can also compare plans side by side on Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder.
5. Think about the year ahead. A planned surgery, a new diagnosis or more travel can all change which plan fits you best.

What about Medicare Supplement (Medigap)?

Medicare Annual Enrollment covers Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Medigap works differently. You can apply for a Medigap policy at any time, but outside your Medigap open enrollment period, insurers in most states can review your health and may charge more or decline coverage. If you’re thinking about switching from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare with a Medigap plan, talk to us first so we can check your options before you make a change.

What if you miss the Medicare Annual Enrollment deadline?

If you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one more chance: the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, from January 1 to March 31. During that time you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or go back to Original Medicare and add a Part D plan. You can make one change.

Some life events, like moving, losing other coverage or qualifying for extra help, can also open a Special Enrollment Period at other times of the year.

How we can help

As an independent broker, we compare plans from multiple insurance companies side by side, using your actual doctors and prescriptions. It costs you nothing, and there’s no obligation. If your current plan is still the best fit, we’ll tell you that too. The sooner we review your plan, the more time you have before Medicare Annual Enrollment closes on December 7.

Call us at 305-677-9912, message us on WhatsApp at 786-319-7679, or visit our Medicare page to get started.