Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: Complete Guide

Medicare Open Enrollment 2026 — also called the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) — runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. This is your annual window to review your Medicare coverage, compare plans, and make changes that take effect January 1, 2027. If you’re not taking advantage of this window, you could be leaving money on the table or staying locked into a plan that no longer serves your needs.

What Is Medicare Open Enrollment (AEP)?

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the one time each year when Medicare beneficiaries can make broad changes to their health and drug coverage. During AEP, you can:

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

Changes made during AEP take effect January 1, 2027. The December 7 deadline is firm — miss it and you’re locked into your current plan for the entire year.

Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: Key Dates

AEP Opens: October 15, 2026
AEP Closes: December 7, 2026
New Coverage Begins: January 1, 2027
Medicare Advantage OEP: January 1 – March 31, 2027

Who Should Review Their Medicare Plan During AEP?

The honest answer: everyone. But these situations make switching especially important:

Your Plan’s Star Rating Dropped

CMS rates every Medicare Advantage plan 1-5 stars annually. Plans below 3 stars have documented quality issues. Check ratings at medicare.gov.

Your Premium Increased Significantly

Plan premiums change every year. A plan that was $0/month in 2026 might be $30-50/month in 2027. Your Annual Notice of Change (mailed every September) will show this.

Your Doctor Left the Network

Provider networks change annually. Before doing anything else, check whether your primary care doctor and specialists are still in-network for 2027.

Your Medications Changed

If your prescriptions moved to a higher tier on your Part D formulary, you could save hundreds by switching to a plan with better drug coverage.

Step-by-Step: What to Do During Medicare Open Enrollment 2026

Step 1: Read Your Annual Notice of Change

Every September, your plan mails you an ANOC documenting every change for next year — premiums, benefits, network, formulary. Most people throw it away. Read it.

Step 2: Use the Medicare Plan Finder

Go to medicare.gov/plan-compare. Enter your ZIP code, medications, and preferred doctors. Sort by estimated annual cost — not premium alone. This tool calculates your real total annual cost for each available plan.

Step 3: Talk to a Licensed Medicare Broker

An independent Medicare broker can compare all plans in your area at no cost to you. They’re paid by the insurance company, not you. A good broker checks your doctor’s network, runs your drug formulary, and finds your best plan in 20-30 minutes.

Step 4: Enroll Before December 7

Once you’ve chosen a plan, enroll through medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or complete enrollment with your broker. New enrollment automatically ends old coverage on December 31.

What Changes Are Coming to Medicare in 2027?

Part D Drug Cost Cap: Under the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare Part D out-of-pocket drug costs are capped at $2,000 per year. A major benefit for anyone on expensive medications.

Medicare Advantage Benefit Adjustments: Many MA plans are adjusting supplemental benefits (dental, vision, OTC allowances) due to CMS reimbursement changes. Review your plan’s 2027 Summary of Benefits carefully.

Common Medicare Open Enrollment Mistakes

Mistake 1: Ignoring your Annual Notice of Change — it contains critical information about what’s changing.
Mistake 2: Choosing the lowest premium plan without comparing total annual costs.
Mistake 3: Forgetting to check your drug formulary — a medication moved to Tier 4 can cost thousands more per year.
Mistake 4: Waiting until December 6 — brokers are slammed in the final week. Start in October.
Mistake 5: Not using a broker. Independent brokers are free. There’s no downside to using one.