Every year, Medicare gives beneficiaries a valuable window to review, compare, and update their health coverage. Whether you’re brand new to Medicare or have been enrolled for years, taking full advantage of Medicare Open Enrollment could save you money and ensure you have the right coverage for the year ahead. Here are some helpful Medicare Open Enrollment Tips and what you need to know.
What Is Medicare Open Enrollment?
Medicare Open Enrollment, also called the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), runs every year from October 15 through December 7. Any changes you make during this period take effect on January 1 of the following year. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), this is the one time each year when all people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage to better meet their needs.
During this period, you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, return to Original Medicare from a Medicare Advantage plan, switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, and join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan.
Top Medicare Open Enrollment Tips
- Read Your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
Your current plan mails this notice by September 30 each year. It outlines any cost, benefit, or network changes for the coming year. Don’t ignore it, even if you love your current plan; your premiums, copays, or covered providers may have changed.
- Review Your Prescriptions First
Formularies change annually, meaning medications that were covered last year may be on a different tier, or removed entirely, in the new plan year. For 2026, the annual out-of-pocket cap on Part D prescription drug costs is $2,100 for covered drugs. Use the Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov to compare total drug costs, including premiums and copays, across available plans.
- Confirm Your Doctors Are In-Network
Provider networks can change from year to year. For 2026, CMS has integrated plan provider directories directly into Medicare Plan Finder and requires plans to keep those directories updated within 30 days, making it easier than ever to verify that your doctors and specialists are still in-network before you commit to a plan.
- Compare Plans Using Medicare Plan Finder
The Medicare Plan Finder (Medicare.gov/plan-compare) is a free, official tool that allows you to compare Medicare Advantage and Part D plans side by side. You can view each plan’s premiums, deductibles, cost-sharing, out-of-pocket maximums, drug formularies, and supplemental benefits like vision and dental. According to Justice in Aging, this tool is one of the most reliable ways to evaluate your options during open enrollment.
- Watch Out for Enrollment Fraud
Open Enrollment season is prime time for scammers. Remember: Medicare will never call you unsolicited to ask for your Medicare number. If you receive an uninvited call, hang up. If you receive unsolicited emails or texts claiming to be from Medicare, ignore them. Report suspected fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE or visit Medicare.gov/fraud.
- Consider Free Help From a SHIP Counselor
Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) that offers free, unbiased, one-on-one counseling to help Medicare beneficiaries understand their options. SHIP counselors are not insurance agents — they have no financial interest in what you choose. You can also make changes to your coverage at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
Need Help? Contact Medicare Directly
If you have questions about your Medicare coverage or need help comparing plans, contact Medicare through these official channels:
- Phone: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) | TTY: 1-877-486-2048 | Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Website: Medicare.gov
Don’t Miss Your Window
Open Enrollment is the most important time of year for Medicare beneficiaries. Even if you’re happy with your current plan, it’s worth taking 30 minutes to compare your options. Plan costs and benefits change every year, and a better fit for your needs may be available. Mark your calendar for October 15 and be ready to shop by December 7.
Got Medicare Questions?
We hope that this information on Medicare Open Enrollment tips is useful to you.
Let us help you answer your questions so you can get back to the activities you enjoy the most.
Call (888) 446-9157, click here to get an INSTANT QUOTE, or leave a comment below!
See our other websites: