How to Make Changes to Your Medicare Coverage During Open Enrollment

Medicare is not a set-it-and-forget-it decision. Plans change their premiums, drug formularies, and networks each year — and a plan that worked well for you last year may not be the best fit for the year ahead. Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review and adjust.

When Open Enrollment Happens

Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 every year. Changes you make during this window take effect January 1 of the following year.

This is the main enrollment window for most changes. Missing it means waiting another year unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

What You Can Change During Open Enrollment

During the October 15–December 7 window, you can:

• Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage (or from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare)
• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
• Join a Part D drug plan if you do not have one
• Switch from one Part D plan to another
• Drop a Part D plan if you have other qualifying drug coverage

You do not have to make any changes — if you are happy with your current coverage, you can do nothing and your plan will continue into the next year.

Why It Is Worth Reviewing Every Year

Insurance companies can change their plans each year. Before Open Enrollment, your current plan will send you an Annual Notice of Change — a document that lists what is changing for the next year. Read it.

Common changes to watch for:

• Premium increases
• Drugs removed from the formulary (the plan's covered drug list) or moved to a higher cost tier
• Changes to which pharmacies or doctors are in-network
• Changes to copayments or deductibles

If your current medications are no longer covered well, or your premium has gone up significantly, it may be time to compare other options.

How to Compare Plans

The Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov is the most efficient way to compare:

1. Go to medicare.gov/plan-compare
2. Enter your zip code and the drugs you take (name and dosage)
3. The tool estimates your total annual cost — premium plus out-of-pocket — for each available plan
4. Filter by your preferred pharmacy if that matters to you

Compare total annual cost, not just monthly premium. A plan with a lower premium may cost more overall if it has higher copayments for your specific medications.

Getting Free Help Comparing Plans

You do not have to do this alone. SHIP counselors — State Health Insurance Assistance Program volunteers — provide free, unbiased help comparing Medicare plans. They have no products to sell and no commission at stake.

To find a SHIP counselor in your state, visit shiphelp.org or call 1-800-677-1116 (the Eldercare Locator can connect you). Many SHIP programs offer appointments by phone, in person, or at local senior centers.

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

There is a separate, smaller window: January 1 through March 31 each year. During this period, if you are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can:

• Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan
• Switch back to Original Medicare (and join a Part D plan)

This window does not allow you to switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage — that is only during the October 15–December 7 window. And if you switch back to Original Medicare during this period and want to add Medigap, medical underwriting may apply depending on your state and situation.

After You Make Changes

Once you make a change during Open Enrollment, you do not need to do anything further — your new coverage will begin January 1. Keep an eye out for your new insurance card in the mail in December.

If you do not receive a new card or have questions about your coverage start date, contact the plan directly or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).