Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) 2026 Guide
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7 every year. During this window, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, switch Part D prescription drug plans, move from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or move from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare. Changes made during AEP take effect January 1 of the following year.
At a Glance
| Window | October 15 – December 7, 2026 |
| Coverage effective | January 1, 2027 |
| Who it's for | Anyone already enrolled in Medicare who wants to change plans |
| What you can change | Medicare Advantage plan, Part D plan, or switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage |
| Number of changes allowed | Unlimited during the window, your last choice by Dec 7 is what takes effect |
| If you miss it | You're generally locked into your current plan until the next AEP, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period |
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What Is the Annual Enrollment Period?
The Annual Enrollment Period, sometimes called Fall Open Enrollment, is the one guaranteed window every year when anyone already on Medicare can change their coverage without answering health questions. It runs October 15 through December 7, and any changes you make take effect January 1 of the following year.
What You Can Change During AEP
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Switch from one Part D prescription drug plan to another
- Move from Original Medicare into a Medicare Advantage plan
- Move from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
- Enroll in a Part D plan for the first time if you didn’t have one
Note that AEP does not let you newly enroll in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy without underwriting, Medigap has its own separate rules, generally tied to your Medicare Part B start date.
Why Plans Change Every Year
Even if you’re happy with your current plan, it’s worth reviewing every AEP. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can change their premiums, drug formularies, provider networks, and extra benefits from year to year, sometimes significantly. A plan that fit well last year may have dropped a medication from its formulary or lost a doctor from its network for the coming year, and you won’t necessarily be notified in a way you’ll notice.
A Simple AEP Checklist
- Review the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) your current plan mails in September
- Check that your doctors and hospitals are still in-network for the coming year
- Check that your medications are still covered, and at what cost tier, in the plan’s formulary
- Compare your plan’s total costs (premium, deductible, copays) against alternatives available in your ZIP code
- Make any changes before December 7, changes take effect January 1
Common Mistakes People Make
- Assuming no news from their plan means nothing changed, always check the Annual Notice of Change.
- Waiting until the last few days of AEP and running out of time to compare options carefully.
- Confusing AEP with the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31), which has different, more limited rules.
- Not realizing that only your final selection made by December 7 takes effect, even if you made an earlier change.
Where to Get Help
AEP is a lot to review on your own every year. If you have Medicare Advantage or a Part D plan, compare it against what else is available in your area at Medicare.gov, where you can also enroll, or call 1-800-MEDICARE. We don’t sell Medicare Advantage or Part D plans. If you have or want a Medicare Supplement, we can compare carriers for your plan letter at no cost to you. Medigap changes aren’t tied to AEP, though outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period insurers can ask health questions. If you’ve had a recent life change, see Special Enrollment Periods.
Questions about your situation?
Talk with Charles “Chuck” Lunsford, a Florida-licensed agent since 1994. No cost, no obligation.
Related resources
Common questions
What are the AEP dates for 2026?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes made during this window take effect January 1, 2027.
What's the difference between AEP and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
AEP (Oct 15-Dec 7) is open to all Medicare beneficiaries and allows broad changes, including switching between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan 1-Mar 31) is only for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan and allows one plan switch.
Can I switch Medicare Advantage plans more than once during AEP?
Yes. You can make as many changes as you want between October 15 and December 7, only your last selection before the deadline actually takes effect on January 1.
What happens if I don't do anything during AEP?
If you take no action, you generally stay on your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan for the following year, even if its costs, network, or formulary have changed. That’s why reviewing the Annual Notice of Change each year matters.
Can I enroll in a Medigap plan during AEP?
AEP itself doesn’t guarantee Medigap enrollment without underwriting. Medigap has separate enrollment rules generally tied to when you first enrolled in Medicare Part B, though it’s still worth asking about your options.
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