Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the window each year when you can change your Medicare plan without penalty

The Annual Enrollment Period, or AEP, runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. During these weeks, you can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, drop Medicare Advantage and go back to Original Medicare, change your prescription drug plan, or add coverage you don't currently have. Changes you make during AEP take effect on January 1 of the following year.

Outside of AEP, you cannot make these changes unless you have a may have access to life event — such as losing employer coverage, moving to a new state, or becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid. Attempting to change plans outside AEP and without a may have access to event will be denied. This is why AEP matters: it's your annual may provide chance to adjust your coverage to match your health needs and budget.

Key Takeaways

  • AEP runs October 15 through December 7 each year, and any changes you make take effect January 1.
  • You can switch Medicare Advantage plans, return to Original Medicare, change your drug plan, or add Medigap coverage during this window.
  • Outside of AEP, you cannot change plans unless you have a may have access to life event such as moving or losing employer coverage.
  • Medicare sends you a notice in September or early October listing your current plan and inviting you to review your options.
  • You can enroll through Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or with help from a local counselor.

Why You Might Change Plans During AEP

Your health and circumstances change year to year. A plan that worked well last year may no longer cover the doctors you see, the medications you take, or the services you need. During AEP, you can review your current plan's coverage and compare it to other options without any penalty for switching.

Common reasons to change include: your doctor left the plan's network, your medications moved to a higher cost tier, your out-of-pocket costs have risen, or you want to switch from Medicare Advantage (which bundles hospital, medical, and drug coverage) back to Original Medicare (which lets you see any doctor who accepts Medicare). You might also want to add a Medigap supplemental plan if you're on Original Medicare and want to lower your out-of-pocket costs.

What Plans You Can Change To or From

If you're on a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or you can drop it and return to Original Medicare. You can also add or change a standalone prescription drug plan (Part D) at the same time.

If you're on Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you can add a Medigap supplemental plan or switch to a different Medigap plan during AEP. You can also add or change a standalone Part D drug plan. You cannot switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage during AEP — that requires a separate enrollment period in the spring (January 1 through March 31).

If you're on Medicare Advantage with drug coverage, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan with or without drug coverage, or drop Medicare Advantage entirely and return to Original Medicare with a separate Part D plan.

How to Review and Compare Your Options

Start by reviewing the notice Medicare sends you in September or early October. This notice lists your current plan, your 2024 costs (premiums, deductibles, copays), and reminds you that AEP is coming. Do not throw this away — it contains your plan name and member ID.

Next, go to Medicare.gov and use the Plan Finder tool. Enter your zip code, the medications you take (use the exact names and dosages from your bottles), and the doctors and hospitals you use. The tool will show you all available plans in your area, ranked by estimated out-of-pocket cost for your specific situation. This is the most accurate way to compare because it accounts for your actual prescriptions and providers, not generic examples.

You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and speak with a representative who can walk you through your options. If you prefer in-person help, contact your local State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP) — these are free counseling services in every state, and counselors can review your options with you over the phone or in person.

How to Enroll in a New Plan

You have three ways to enroll during AEP. The fastest is online at Medicare.gov: log in, select the plan you want, and complete the enrollment form. You'll receive a confirmation number when ready.

You can also call the plan directly — the phone number is on your current insurance card or on Medicare.gov — and a representative will enroll you over the phone. Or call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask them to enroll you in the plan of your choice.

Whichever method you use, enroll before December 7 to may support your new plan starts on January 1. If you enroll after December 7, your coverage may not begin until February 1 or later, and you'll remain in your old plan through January.

What Happens After You Enroll

After you enroll, your old plan will automatically end on December 31. You'll receive a new insurance card from your new plan in the mail, usually by late December. Your new coverage begins January 1.

Before January 1 arrives, review your new plan's materials to confirm your doctors are in-network, your medications are covered, and you understand your copays and deductibles. If you find a problem — for example, your doctor is not in the network after all — you may be able to make another change within 30 days of your coverage start date. Contact your new plan when ready if you discover an issue.

What Happens If You Miss AEP

If you do not change your plan during AEP, you stay in your current plan for the entire year. You cannot switch plans again until the next AEP, which begins October 15.

The only exception is if you have a may have access to life event. These include: losing employer coverage, moving to a new state, becoming newly may be able to access for Medicaid, getting married or divorced, or having a significant change in income. If any of these happen, you have 60 days to contact Medicare and request a Special Enrollment Period, which allows you to change plans outside of AEP. You'll need to provide proof of the event — such as a letter from your employer, a lease showing your new address, or a marriage certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change plans more than once during AEP?

Yes. If you enroll in a plan and then change your mind, you can switch to a different plan as long as you do so before December 7. However, only your final enrollment will take effect on January 1 — your previous selections will be cancelled. Contact your first plan to confirm the cancellation.

What if my doctor or pharmacy is not in my new plan's network?

Contact your new plan within 30 days of your coverage start date and ask about out-of-network coverage or exceptions. Some plans will cover out-of-network providers in certain situations. If the plan cannot help, you may be able to switch to a different plan within 30 days without waiting until next AEP.

Do I have to change plans during AEP?

No. If your current plan still meets your needs, you can stay in it. AEP is optional — it's straightforward your window to make changes if you want to. Many people keep the same plan year after year.

What if I turn 65 during AEP?

If you're newly may be able to access for Medicare, you have your own Initial Enrollment Period, which is separate from AEP. Your Initial Enrollment Period is the three months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and the three months after. You can enroll in any Medicare plan during this window.

Can I switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage during AEP?

No. If you're on Original Medicare and want to switch to Medicare Advantage, you must do so during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which runs January 1 through March 31 each year. AEP allows you to switch between Medicare Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare, but not to enter Medicare Advantage for the first time.