Medicare Open Enrollment runs for seven weeks each fall

Open Enrollment for Medicare happens once a year, from October 15 through December 7. During these seven weeks, you can change your Medicare plan, switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or move between Advantage plans. Outside this window, you cannot make these changes unless a specific life event — like losing employer coverage or moving to a new state — gives you a separate enrollment period.

The seven-week window is the same every year. Mark October 15 on your calendar now. Your changes take effect on January 1 of the following year, regardless of when in October or November you make them.

If you miss the important date and have no may have access to life event, you are locked into your current plan for the rest of the year. The only exception is if you are in your first three months of Medicare may be able to access — that initial enrollment period has its own timeline and rules.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 each year, and all changes take effect January 1.
  • You can only change plans during Open Enrollment unless a life event like moving or losing coverage creates a separate enrollment period.
  • If you miss the important date with no may have access to event, you cannot change plans until the following October.
  • Your first time on Medicare has its own enrollment window that is separate from the annual Open Enrollment period.
  • Medicare Advantage plans and prescription drug plans (Part D) both follow the same October 15 to December 7 window.

What you can change during Open Enrollment

During the seven-week window, you can switch from Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) to a Medicare Advantage plan. You can also go the opposite direction — drop your Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. If you are already in an Advantage plan, you can switch to a different Advantage plan offered by a different insurance company.

Prescription drug coverage (Part D) follows the same calendar. You can add a Part D plan if you do not have one, drop your current plan and choose a different one, or drop coverage entirely if you no longer need it. Many people coordinate this change with their medical plan change, since some drug plans work better with certain medical plans.

You cannot use Open Enrollment to change your Medigap supplemental insurance plan. Medigap has its own rules: you have the strongest protections during your first six months after turning 65 or first enrolling in Medicare Part B, but you can switch plans outside that window if you are willing to answer health questions and possibly pay higher premiums.

Life events that create separate enrollment windows

If you experience certain changes in your life, you get a separate chance to change plans outside of Open Enrollment. These are called may have access to Life Events, and they include losing employer health coverage, moving to a different state or county, getting married or divorced, or having a significant drop in income.

When a may have access to event happens, you typically have 60 days to make a change. The 60-day window starts the day the event occurs, not the day you notice it or report it. If you move on June 15, your window closes on August 14. If you lose employer coverage on March 1, you have until April 30.

You will need to prove the event happened. Have documents ready: a letter from your employer saying coverage ended, a divorce decree, a utility bill showing your new address, or a notice of income change. Medicare will ask for these before processing your request.

Your first time enrolling in Medicare

When you first become may be able to access for Medicare — usually at age 65 — you get a separate Initial Enrollment Period that is seven months long. It starts three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after. If you turn 65 in June, your window runs from March through September.

During this seven-month window, you can enroll in Part A, Part B, Part D, and Medicare Advantage without waiting for October. After this period ends, if you did not enroll when you were supposed to, you may face permanent penalties on your premiums — even if you enroll later.

Some people delay Part B because they have employer coverage. If that is your situation, you are protected from penalties as long as you enroll within eight months of losing that coverage. This is called the Special Enrollment Period for people with group health coverage.

How to make changes during Open Enrollment

You have three main ways to change your plan: online through Medicare.gov, by phone with Medicare, or in person at a local Social Security office. The online route is fastest — you can compare plans side by side, see which doctors and pharmacies are in each network, and submit your change in one session.

To use Medicare.gov, go to the "Find Care Providers" section during Open Enrollment and search for plans in your zip code. The site will show you premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs for each plan. You can filter by your doctors and medications to see which plans cover them. Once you choose, you can enroll right there.

If you prefer to talk to someone, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Representatives can walk you through your options, answer questions about specific plans, and process your enrollment over the phone. Wait times are long during October and November, so call early in the morning or in early October if possible.

What happens if you miss the important date

If Open Enrollment ends on December 7 and you have not made a change, you stay in your current plan for the entire next year. You cannot switch plans again until October 15 of the following year. The only way out is a may have access to life event.

Missing the important date is costly if your current plan no longer covers your doctors, if your medications moved to a higher cost tier, or if a better plan became available. Many people discover in January that they should have switched. At that point, you have no recourse until October.

If you think you have a may have access to life event, contact Medicare when ready with proof. Do not wait. The 60-day window from the event date is strict, and once it closes, you cannot go back.

Special rules for people with employer coverage

If you or your spouse still work and have employer health coverage, you may not need to enroll in Medicare right away. You can delay Part B without penalty as long as you are covered by an active employer plan. However, you must enroll in Part A (hospital insurance) when you turn 65, even if you delay Part B.

When you or your spouse finally leave that job or lose the coverage, you have eight months to enroll in Part B without penalty. This is longer than the standard three-month window after your Initial Enrollment Period ends. Keep the letter from your employer showing when coverage ended — you will need it to prove you may have access to for this extended period.

Open Enrollment still applies to you. If you are already on Medicare and have employer coverage as a secondary plan, you can still change your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan during October 15 through December 7.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my mind after I enroll during Open Enrollment?

Yes, but only if you change your mind before December 7. Once Open Enrollment ends, your new plan is locked in for the year. If you enroll in a plan on November 20 and realize it is wrong on November 25, you can switch again — but only before the December 7 important date. After that, you are stuck.

What if I turn 65 in December?

Your Initial Enrollment Period runs from September through December. Open Enrollment (October 15 through December 7) overlaps with your initial window. You can use either period to enroll. Your changes take effect January 1 regardless of which period you use.

Do I have to do anything if I want to keep my current plan?

No. If you do nothing during Open Enrollment, your current plan automatically continues into the next year. You only need to act if you want to change something.

Can I change my plan if I move to a different state?

Yes. Moving to a new state is a may have access to life event that gives you 60 days to change your plan, even outside of Open Enrollment. Some plans do not operate in all states, so your current plan might not be available in your new location. Contact Medicare with proof of your move (a utility bill or lease) to start the process.

What if my doctor leaves my plan's network during the year?

Losing your doctor is a may have access to life event in most cases. You have 60 days from the date your doctor left the network to change plans. Contact your plan first to confirm the date your doctor's contract ended, then contact Medicare with that information.