Medicare automatically renews each year — you do not have to reapply

Your Medicare coverage continues without interruption from year to year. You do not fill out a new process or "renew" Medicare the way you might renew a driver's license. Once you are enrolled, Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) stay active unless you cancel them or lose may be able to access.

However, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a prescription drug plan, those plans do renew annually, and you may need to take action during the yearly enrollment period to keep your current plan or switch to a different one.

Key Takeaways

  • Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) continues automatically each year with no action required on your part.
  • Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans renew each year, and you can change plans during the annual enrollment period from October 15 to December 7.
  • Your Medicare card does not expire, but you should check your coverage details each year to make sure nothing has changed.
  • If you move to a new state or your income changes significantly, contact Medicare to update your information.
  • You must pay your Part B premium each month to keep your coverage active, even though you do not have to reapply.

How Original Medicare stays active without renewal

Original Medicare — the combination of Part A and Part B — is a federal program that does not require annual renewal. Once you turn 65 and enroll, your coverage continues as long as you pay your Part B premium each month. There is no expiration date on your Medicare card, and you do not need to submit paperwork to keep your benefits active.

Your Part A premium is usually free if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years while working. Your Part B premium is deducted from your Social Security check each month (or you receive a bill if you do not get Social Security). As long as those payments continue, your coverage does not lapse.

What changes with Medicare Advantage and drug plans each year

If you chose a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) instead of Original Medicare, that plan renews on January 1 each year. The plan itself may change its costs, coverage rules, or network of doctors. You can stay with the same plan if you do nothing, but you have the right to switch during the annual enrollment period.

The same is true for prescription drug plans (Part D). These plans renew January 1, and drug prices, formularies (the list of covered medications), and plan premiums often change from year to year. Even if you were happy with your plan last year, the drugs you take may cost more this year, or your pharmacy may no longer be in the network.

The annual enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. During this window, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, switch drug plans, or switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare. Changes take effect on January 1 of the following year.

When you must contact Medicare to update information

Although you do not need to renew Medicare itself, you should contact Medicare if your situation changes. If you move to a different state, your Original Medicare coverage moves with you, but your Medicare Advantage plan may not — some plans only serve certain states or regions. You will need to choose a new plan if your current one no longer serves your area.

You should also update Medicare if your income changes significantly, because this can affect whether you may have access to for help paying your premiums or out-of-pocket costs. If you become may be able to access for Medicaid (your state's program for low-income people), Medicare needs to know so it can coordinate benefits correctly.

Contact Medicare by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), visiting Medicare.gov, or going to your local Social Security office. You can make changes anytime, but changes made outside the annual enrollment period usually take effect the first of the following month.

What to check on your Medicare coverage each year

Even though you do not have to renew, it is worth reviewing your coverage once a year. Check your Medicare Summary Notice (the statement Medicare sends you) to make sure the services and claims listed are correct. If you see charges you do not recognize, contact Medicare right away.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or drug plan, review the plan's annual notice of changes, which the plan must send you by September 30 each year. This document explains what is changing for the coming year — new copays, new deductibles, changes to the drug formulary, or changes to which doctors and pharmacies are in the network.

If you take prescription medications, check whether your drugs are still covered under your current plan and at what cost. Drug prices and coverage can shift significantly from year to year, and a plan that was affordable last year may become expensive this year.

What happens if you miss the enrollment period

If you do nothing during the October 15 to December 7 enrollment period, your Medicare Advantage plan or drug plan automatically renews for the next year. You stay in the same plan with whatever changes the plan has made.

If you miss the enrollment period and want to switch plans, you may have to wait until the next October. However, certain life events — such as moving, losing other health coverage, getting married, or having a significant change in income — give you a Special Enrollment Period of up to 60 days to make changes outside the normal window. Contact Medicare to learn about your situation qualifies.

Keeping your Medicare card and information current

Your Medicare card does not expire and does not need to be renewed. However, Medicare has been issuing new cards with a Medicare number instead of your Social Security number for security reasons. If you have not received a new card yet, you will eventually get one in the mail.

Keep your current Medicare card in a safe place. You will need it whenever you see a doctor, go to the hospital, or fill a prescription. If your card is lost or damaged, you can request a replacement by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or visiting Medicare.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to do anything to keep my Original Medicare coverage?

No. Original Medicare continues automatically as long as you pay your Part B premium each month. There is no renewal process, no paperwork to file, and no expiration date on your coverage.

What if I want to switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare?

You can switch during the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7). The change takes effect January 1. If you switch back to Original Medicare, you may also want to enroll in a drug plan at the same time, since Original Medicare does not cover prescription drugs.

Will my Medicare Advantage plan cost the same next year?

Not necessarily. Plans can change their premiums, copays, deductibles, and coverage each year. Review your plan's annual notice of changes (sent by September 30) to see what is different for the coming year.

What if I move to another state?

Original Medicare works in all 50 states, so your Part A and Part B coverage moves with you. However, Medicare Advantage plans are regional, and your current plan may not serve your new state. You will need to choose a new plan before you move or during the enrollment period.

Can I change my drug plan if my medication costs too much?

Yes, during the annual enrollment period. You can switch to a different drug plan that covers your medications at a lower cost. Some plans also offer a coverage gap discount program that reduces what you pay for certain drugs once you reach a certain spending threshold.