Medicare Open Enrollment ends on December 7 each year

The standard Medicare Open Enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7. This is the one time each year when you can switch Medicare plans, drop coverage, or join a plan for the first time without penalty. After December 7, you cannot make these changes unless you have a may have access to life event — and the window to report that event is limited.

The December 7 important date is firm. If you miss it and do not have a may have access to reason, you will stay in your current plan (or remain uninsured) until the next Open Enrollment period begins in October. There is no grace period, no exceptions for being one day late, and no way to backdate a plan change.

The exact end date can shift by one day if December 7 falls on a weekend or holiday, but the program always closes by December 7 or the next business day. Check your plan's materials or Medicare.gov to confirm the closing date for the year you are in, since the day of the week changes annually.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Enrollment closes December 7 each year, and you cannot change plans after that date unless you have a may have access to life event.
  • may have access to events include losing employer coverage, moving to a new state, getting married or divorced, or experiencing a major change in income.
  • You must report a may have access to event and request a plan change within 60 days of the event, or you lose the right to change plans outside Open Enrollment.
  • If you miss the December 7 important date and have no may have access to event, you remain in your current plan until October 15 of the following year.
  • People new to Medicare have their own enrollment window (usually 7 months) that does not follow the October–December schedule.

What counts as a may have access to life event

A may have access to event is a major change in your life that gives you the right to change Medicare plans outside the standard Open Enrollment window. The most common may have access to events are losing health coverage through an employer, moving to a different state, getting married or divorced, and a significant drop in income.

Other may have access to events include becoming a U.S. citizen, gaining or losing Medicaid coverage, having a child, or experiencing a change in your living situation that affects your coverage needs. Some plans also recognize events specific to their coverage — for example, if your doctor leaves the plan's network, you may be able to switch plans.

Not every life change counts. Retiring does not may have access to unless you lose employer coverage at the same time. A change in your health status or a new diagnosis does not may have access to. Wanting a different plan because you found a better price does not may have access to. The event must be one that Medicare recognizes in its rules.

The 60-day window to report a may have access to event

If you experience a may have access to event, you have 60 days from the date the event occurs to contact your plan and request a change. This important date is strict. If you wait 61 days, you lose the right to change plans, and you will be locked into your current coverage until the next Open Enrollment period.

The 60 days start on the date of the event itself, not the date you learn about it. If you lose employer coverage on June 15, your 60-day window closes on August 14. If you move to a new state on March 1, you have until April 30 to report it and request a plan change.

You report the event directly to Medicare or to your current plan. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report a may have access to event and request a plan change. Have the date of the event ready, and be prepared to describe what happened. Medicare will confirm whether the event qualifies and will tell you which plans you can switch to.

What happens if you miss the December 7 important date

If you do not change your plan by December 7 and you do not have a may have access to event, your coverage continues unchanged into the new year. Your current plan remains active, and you pay the same premiums and have the same coverage you had before. You cannot retroactively change plans or receive a refund for premiums paid under your old plan.

You will have another chance to change plans when Open Enrollment opens again on October 15. Until then, if you want different coverage, your only option is to experience a may have access to event and report it within 60 days. If you are unhappy with your plan, document the reason — it may help you make a faster decision during the next Open Enrollment period.

If you are uninsured at the time Open Enrollment closes, you remain uninsured until October 15 unless you have a may have access to event. Uninsured time can result in a late-enrollment penalty if you eventually join a plan, so if you are uninsured and experience a may have access to event, report it promptly to avoid the penalty.

People new to Medicare have a different timeline

If you are turning 65 or becoming may be able to access for Medicare for the first time, you do not follow the October–December Open Enrollment schedule. Instead, you have a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period that starts three months before the month you turn 65 (or become may be able to access) and ends three months after.

For example, if you turn 65 in June, your Initial Enrollment Period runs from March through September. You can join a Medicare plan at any point during those seven months. If you miss this window and do not have a may have access to event, you will face a permanent late-enrollment penalty on your premiums for as long as you have Medicare.

After your Initial Enrollment Period ends, you follow the standard October–December Open Enrollment schedule like everyone else. Mark your calendar for when your seven-month window closes so you do not miss it.

How to prepare before the December 7 important date

Start reviewing your options at least two weeks before December 7. Compare your current plan's premiums, deductibles, and formularies (the list of covered drugs) against other plans available to you. Check whether your doctors and pharmacies are in-network for any plan you are considering. Use the Medicare Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov to see side-by-side comparisons.

If you take prescription drugs, pay special attention to the formulary. Drug coverage changes from year to year, and a medication you take may move to a higher cost tier or be dropped entirely. Call your pharmacy to confirm which plans cover your drugs at the lowest cost.

Once you have decided on a new plan, you can change it online at Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or by mail. Online changes are usually processed within one business day. Phone and mail changes may take longer, so do not wait until December 6 to make the switch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change plans after December 7 if I have a good reason?

Only if you have a may have access to life event recognized by Medicare — such as losing employer coverage, moving, getting married or divorced, or a major income change. A good reason that is not a may have access to event does not count. You must report the event within 60 days of when it happens.

What is the penalty for missing Open Enrollment?

There is no penalty for missing Open Enrollment itself. However, if you are uninsured when you eventually join a plan, you may face a late-enrollment penalty that increases your premiums permanently. The penalty is 1% of the national average premium for each month you were uninsured.

Can I change plans more than once during Open Enrollment?

Yes. You can switch plans as many times as you want between October 15 and December 7. Each change you make replaces the previous one. Your new plan becomes active on January 1. If you change your mind after December 7, you cannot undo the change unless you have a may have access to event.

What if my plan is being discontinued?

If your plan is ending, Medicare will notify you by October 1 and will automatically move you to another plan in the same company if possible. You can choose a different plan during Open Enrollment instead of accepting the automatic assignment. You have the same October 15–December 7 window to make this choice.

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

No. If you do nothing by December 7, your current plan continues into the new year with no action required. However, you should still review your plan each year to make sure the coverage, costs, and network still meet your needs, because things change annually.