Every fall, Medicare gives you one main chance to change your coverage — and it comes with a hard deadline. It’s called the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), and knowing the dates and what you can do is how you make it work for you instead of letting it slip by. Here’s your guide to Medicare AEP for 2026.
The Dates You Need: October 15 – December 7
Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7. Any changes you make during this window generally take effect January 1 of the following year. Mark December 7 on your calendar now — once it passes, your options for changing coverage become much more limited until the next AEP.
What You Can Change During AEP
AEP is flexible. During the window, you can:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan — or the other way around
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Join, drop, or switch a Part D prescription drug plan
In short, it’s your yearly opportunity to make sure your coverage still matches your health, your doctors, your medications, and your budget.
The Trap: “I’ll Just Keep What I Have”
Here’s what surprises people. If you do nothing during AEP, your plan generally rolls over — but it may not be the same plan you signed up for. Plans can change their premiums, benefits, drug formularies, and provider networks from one year to the next. So “doing nothing” can still leave you with changes you never chose. Reviewing your plan matters even when you’re happy with it.
Start With Your ANOC Letter
Before AEP, your current plan mails you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) that spells out what’s changing for the coming year. This is your single most useful document. Read it and ask: did my premium change? Are my medications still covered the same way? Are my doctors still in-network? The answers tell you whether it’s time to shop.
How to Prepare Before December 7
- Review your ANOC as soon as it arrives.
- List your current doctors and medications so you can check them against any plan.
- Compare your plan against alternatives — even a plan that was perfect last year may not be this year.
- Don’t wait until the deadline. Early December gets busy; give yourself time to decide.
Don’t Sort It Out Alone — Free Help
Comparing Medicare plans during AEP takes time and attention to detail, and a licensed independent agent can do it with you — checking your drugs, your doctors, and your costs before the deadline. Review your Medicare options or call Maher Insurance Group at (866) 220-2834. We’re a licensed independent brokerage in Fort Lauderdale with more than 1,199 five-star Google reviews.
We are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. We are a licensed insurance agency; a licensed agent may contact you.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period in 2026?
Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, including 2026. Any changes you make during this window generally take effect January 1 of the following year. It’s the main opportunity most people have to change their Medicare coverage each year.
What can I change during Medicare AEP?
During AEP you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan or vice versa, change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, join or drop a Part D prescription drug plan, and switch between Part D plans. It’s your yearly chance to make sure your coverage still fits your needs and budget.
What happens if I do nothing during AEP?
If you take no action during AEP, your current coverage generally continues into the next year — but it may not be identical. Plans can change premiums, benefits, drug formularies, and networks year to year. That’s why reviewing your plan during AEP matters even if you’re happy: ‘doing nothing’ can still mean changes you didn’t choose.
Is AEP the same as Open Enrollment?
People use the terms loosely, but Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15–Dec 7) is specific to Medicare coverage changes. The ACA Marketplace has its own separate Open Enrollment Period for under-65 health plans. There’s also a separate Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period in early each year with more limited change options.
How should I prepare for Medicare AEP?
Start by reviewing the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) your plan sends, which outlines what’s changing for next year. Make a list of your current doctors and medications, then compare your plan against alternatives to confirm it still fits. A licensed agent can do this comparison with you at no cost before the December 7 deadline.
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