Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: Your Complete Guide (Oct 15 – Dec 7)
Reviewed by Galit Sacajiu MD, MPH
Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) — sometimes called Open Enrollment — runs every year from October 15 through December 7. Changes you make take effect January 1 of the following year.
What You Can Do During Open Enrollment
During the 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 a Part D prescription drug plan if you don't have one - Switch Part D plans - Drop a Part D plan
You cannot use the AEP to buy or switch Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans — those have separate enrollment rules.
5 Things to Review Before Open Enrollment Ends
**1. Check your plan's Annual Notice of Change** By September 30, your plan must send you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) showing what's changing for next year — premiums, copays, covered drugs, and provider networks. Read it.
**2. Verify your doctors are still in-network** Provider networks change annually. If your primary care doctor or specialist is no longer in your plan's network, you may need to switch plans or change doctors.
**3. Review your prescription drug formulary** Drug coverage changes every year. Check whether your medications are still covered and at what tier. Use Medicare's Plan Finder at medicare.gov to compare drug costs.
**4. Check the plan's Star Rating** CMS rates Medicare Advantage and Part D plans on a 1–5 star scale. Plans with 4 or more stars generally provide better care. Ratings change annually.
**5. Compare total costs — not just premiums** A $0-premium plan can cost more than a $50/month plan if it has higher copays and a lower out-of-pocket maximum. Model your likely healthcare use for the year.
How to Compare Plans
Use [Medicare's Plan Finder](https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare) at medicare.gov — enter your ZIP code and current medications for a personalized comparison. Or get help from a licensed agent at no cost — see our [free quote tool](/get-quote).