Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7 each year
Open Enrollment is the yearly window when you can change your Medicare coverage for the following year. During these eight weeks, you can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, add or drop prescription drug coverage, or move from one plan to another. Changes you make take effect on January 1 of the next year.
If you do not make changes during Open Enrollment, your current coverage continues into the new year without interruption. However, if you want different coverage — because your doctor left your plan, your costs went up, or you want to add drug coverage — you must act during this window. Outside of Open Enrollment, you can only change plans if you have a may have access to life event, such as losing employer coverage, moving to a new state, or getting married.
Key Takeaways
- Open Enrollment for 2024 coverage runs from October 15 to December 7, 2023, and changes take effect January 1, 2024.
- You can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, change between Advantage plans, add or drop Part D drug coverage, or add Medigap coverage during this period.
- Medicare sends you a notice in the mail before Open Enrollment starts, listing plans available in your area and any changes to your current plan.
- You make changes by calling Medicare, visiting Medicare.gov, or working with a licensed insurance agent — you do not need to contact your current plan first.
- If you miss the important date and do not have a may have access to life event, you cannot change plans until the next Open Enrollment period.
What happens if you do nothing during Open Enrollment
If you take no action, your current plan automatically renews for the next year. Your premiums, deductibles, and copayments may change, but your coverage does not stop. Medicare will send you a notice before Open Enrollment begins that explains any changes to your plan for the coming year — read this carefully, because some plans raise costs or drop certain doctors and pharmacies.
Doing nothing is the right choice if you are satisfied with your current plan and the changes Medicare describes do not affect you. However, if your doctor is leaving the plan, your medication costs are rising, or you want to add drug coverage you do not currently have, you need to act during Open Enrollment.
How to make changes to your Medicare coverage
You have three ways to change your coverage during Open Enrollment: call Medicare directly, go online to Medicare.gov, or work with a licensed insurance agent. Each route takes roughly the same amount of time, so choose based on what feels easiest to you.
Calling Medicare: Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Representatives are available seven days a week, and the call is free. Have your Medicare card handy. You can ask questions about specific plans and make changes in one call. Wait times are often shorter early in the morning or on weekdays.
Online at Medicare.gov: Go to Medicare.gov, sign in with your username and password, and click "Compare and Enroll" under the Plan Finder tool. You can compare plans side by side, see which doctors and pharmacies are in each plan's network, and enroll directly. This route lets you work at your own pace and review information before deciding.
Working with an agent: Licensed insurance agents who specialize in Medicare can walk you through your options over the phone or in person. They do not charge you a fee — they are paid by the insurance companies. To find an agent, ask your doctor's office for a referral, call your State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP), or search the National Association of Health Underwriters website. An agent is especially helpful if you have complex health needs or are considering a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time.
What information you need before you start
Before you call Medicare, go online, or meet with an agent, gather a few pieces of information. Have your Medicare card available. Make a list of the doctors and specialists you see regularly, along with the medications you take and their dosages. If you use a pharmacy regularly, note that too.
When you are comparing plans, you will want to know: Does this plan cover my doctors? Does it cover my medications? What is the monthly premium, deductible, and copayment for the services I use most? If you are considering a Medicare Advantage plan, check whether it requires referrals to see specialists or whether you can see any doctor in the network. Original Medicare does not require referrals, but most Advantage plans do.
Important dates and important date for 2024 coverage
| Event | Date |
| Open Enrollment begins | October 15, 2023 |
| Open Enrollment ends | December 7, 2023 |
| New coverage takes effect | January 1, 2024 |
| Medicare sends you a notice about plan changes | September or early October 2023 |
Mark December 7 on your calendar. If you enroll before this date, your new plan starts on January 1. If you miss the important date, you cannot change plans until the next Open Enrollment period in October 2024, unless you have a may have access to life event such as losing employer coverage, moving, or getting married.
The notice Medicare sends you in the mail is your most important document during this period. It lists every plan available in your area, shows which plans your current doctors participate in, and explains what your costs will be under each option. Keep this notice handy as you compare plans, and call Medicare if anything in it is unclear.
What to do if you miss the Open Enrollment important date
If December 7 passes and you have not made changes, your current plan continues into 2024. You cannot switch plans until the next Open Enrollment period unless you experience a may have access to life event. These events include losing health coverage through an employer or spouse, moving to a different state, getting married or divorced, or having a significant change in income.
If you have a may have access to life event, you have 60 days from the date the event occurs to make changes. For example, if you move to a new state in February, you have until early April to switch plans. Contact Medicare as soon as the event happens so they can confirm your may be able to access for a Special Enrollment Period. You will need to provide proof of the event — such as a moving company receipt, marriage certificate, or letter from your employer.
Questions to ask before you enroll in a new plan
Before you confirm enrollment in a new plan, ask yourself these questions: Does this plan cover all my regular doctors? If I need a specialist, how do I get a referral, and is there a wait time? Does it cover all my medications at a cost I can afford? What is the total I will pay out of pocket in a typical month or year? If I travel, does this plan cover care outside my home state?
For Medicare Advantage plans specifically, also ask: Does this plan have a network, or can I see any doctor? What is the maximum out-of-pocket cost I could pay in a year? Does it include dental, vision, or hearing coverage? For Original Medicare with a Medigap plan, ask: What does this Medigap plan cover that Original Medicare does not? If you are adding Part D drug coverage, ask: Does this plan cover my specific medications, or will I need to use a different pharmacy?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my mind after I enroll in a new plan?
Yes. You have until December 31 to disenroll from a plan you enrolled in during Open Enrollment and go back to your previous coverage or choose a different plan. After December 31, you are locked into your new plan until the next Open Enrollment period, unless you have a may have access to life event.
Do I have to enroll in Part D drug coverage during Open Enrollment?
You do not have to, but there is a penalty if you wait. If you go without Part D coverage for more than 63 days in a row, you will pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Medicare. The penalty is about 1% of the national average Part D premium for each month you were without coverage. If you do not take medications, you can skip Part D, but if you think you might need prescriptions later, it is cheaper to enroll now.
What if my plan is being discontinued?
If your current plan is ending, Medicare will send you a notice and automatically move you to a similar plan offered by the same insurance company, unless you choose a different plan during Open Enrollment. You do not have to accept the automatic assignment — you can pick any plan available in your area. Contact Medicare or your agent to explore other options.
Can I switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage during Open Enrollment?
Yes. You can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or from Advantage back to Original Medicare, during Open Enrollment. If you switch to Advantage, you can still add a Part D drug plan. If you switch back to Original Medicare, you may want to add a Medigap plan to cover costs that Original Medicare does not pay.
What if I am new to Medicare and it is not Open Enrollment?
When you first become may be able to access for Medicare, you have a seven-month Initial Enrollment Period that includes the month you turn 65 and the three months before and after. During this window, you can enroll in any plan without waiting for Open Enrollment. After your Initial Enrollment Period ends, you can only change plans during Open Enrollment or if you have a may have access to life event.