Open Enrollment Ends December 7 Each Year

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7 every year. This is the one period when you can change your Medicare plan without a penalty or waiting period. After December 7, your choices lock in until the following October, with very few exceptions.

The December 7 important date is firm. If you submit your plan change on December 7, it counts. If you try on December 8, you will have to keep your current plan or wait until next October. Some people think they have until the end of December or until their birthday — they do not. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sets this date and does not extend it.

Your new plan takes effect January 1 of the following year, regardless of when in October or November you made the switch. This means if you change plans on October 16, your old plan ends and your new one begins on the same day: January 1.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 each year, and December 7 is a hard important date with no extensions.
  • Any plan change you make during Open Enrollment takes effect on January 1, even if you switched in October.
  • After December 7, you cannot change plans unless you have a may have access to life event such as losing employer coverage or moving to a different state.
  • If you miss the important date and have no may have access to event, you will stay in your current plan for the entire next year.
  • You can view plan options and compare costs on Medicare.gov starting in mid-October, before you decide to switch.

What Happens If You Miss the December 7 important date

If December 7 passes and you have not made a change, you stay in your current plan for the entire calendar year. You cannot switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or change your prescription drug plan (Part D) until the next Open Enrollment period begins on October 15.

The only way out is a may have access to life event. These include losing employer health coverage, moving to a different state or county, getting married or divorced, becoming may be able to access for Medicaid, or having a significant change in income. When a may have access to event happens, you get a Special Enrollment Period of 60 days to make one plan change. You will need to report the event to Medicare and provide proof — such as a letter from your employer, a divorce decree, or a move confirmation.

Do not assume your situation qualifies. Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) before December 7 if you think you might have a may have access to event coming up. They can tell you whether it will give you a window to switch plans later.

How to Make a Plan Change Before the important date

You have three main routes to change your plan during Open Enrollment. The fastest is online at Medicare.gov. Go to the "Find Care Providers" or "Compare Plans" section, enter your zip code, and see all available plans side by side. You can filter by cost, coverage, and pharmacy network. Once you choose a plan, you can switch right there on the website.

The second route is by phone. Call 1-800-MEDICARE and a representative will walk you through your options, answer questions about specific plans, and process your change over the phone. This takes longer than the website but is useful if you want to ask about coverage details or need help reading the plan materials.

The third route is through your current insurance company. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a standalone Part D plan, your insurer will mail you renewal materials in September or early October. These materials include a form you can mail back to switch plans. Mail it early — do not wait until late November or early December, because postal delays can cause it to arrive after the important date.

Whichever route you use, keep a record of your change. Take a screenshot if you switched online, save a confirmation number if you called, or keep the mailed form and any receipt. You will need proof that you switched before January 1 if there is ever a dispute about which plan should cover a service.

Why the important date Matters and Common Mistakes

The December 7 important date exists because Medicare needs time to process millions of plan changes and send new ID cards to people before January 1. It is not arbitrary, and it is not negotiable. People who miss it often say they thought they had until their birthday, or until the end of the year, or that they could switch in January. None of these are true.

The most common mistake is waiting too long. Many people think about switching in November or December, then put it off. By the time they decide, the important date has passed. The second mistake is confusing Open Enrollment with the Initial Enrollment Period. If you are newly may be able to access for Medicare (usually at 65), you have a different important date — typically three months before or after your 65th birthday. That important date is separate from Open Enrollment and is also firm.

A third mistake is not checking whether your current doctor or pharmacy is in your new plan's network. You can compare plans on Medicare.gov, but you should also call your doctor's office and your pharmacy to confirm they accept the new plan before you switch. If you switch and then find out your doctor is not covered, you cannot switch back until next October.

Special Rules for People New to Medicare

If you are turning 65 or becoming may be able to access for Medicare for the first time, you do not have to wait for Open Enrollment. You have an Initial Enrollment Period that runs three months before your 65th birthday, the month you turn 65, and three months after. During this window, you can choose Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage plan, and a Part D prescription drug plan.

Your coverage starts on the first day of the month you turn 65, or the first day of the month after you sign up, whichever is later. If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period and do not have a may have access to event, you will face a late enrollment penalty on your premiums for as long as you have Medicare. This penalty does not go away, so it is important to enroll during your window.

Checking Your Plan Before Open Enrollment Ends

Before December 7, review your current plan to see if it still fits your needs. Check whether your doctors and pharmacies are still in the network, whether your prescriptions are still covered at the same cost tier, and whether the plan's deductible and out-of-pocket maximum have changed. Medicare.gov shows all this information for every plan available in your area.

You can also call your current plan's customer service number (on the back of your Medicare card) and ask them to walk you through any changes for the coming year. They will tell you if your premium is going up, if your copays are changing, or if your coverage is different. This conversation takes 15 minutes and can help you decide whether to stay or switch.

If you are happy with your current plan and nothing has changed, you do not have to do anything. Your plan will renew automatically on January 1. You will receive a new ID card in the mail in December.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Only if you have a may have access to life event. Losing employer coverage, moving to a different state, getting married or divorced, or becoming may be able to access for Medicaid all may have access to. You then have 60 days from the event to make one change. Wanting a better plan or lower premiums is not a may have access to event, even if you have a very good reason.

What if I miss the important date by one day?

You cannot switch. The important date is December 7, and there are no exceptions for being one day late. If you submit your change on December 8, it will not go through. Your only option is to wait until October 15 of the next year, unless you have a may have access to life event.

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

No. Your plan renews automatically on January 1. You will receive a new ID card in December. You do not need to call or submit any form. However, you should review your plan materials in September and October to make sure the coverage, costs, and network are still right for you.

Can I switch plans more than once during Open Enrollment?

Yes, you can change your mind as many times as you want before December 7. Each time you switch, your previous choice is cancelled and your new choice takes effect on January 1. Only your final choice on or before December 7 will be active.

What if I do not have internet access to use Medicare.gov?

Call 1-800-MEDICARE and a representative will help you compare plans and make your change over the phone. You can also visit your local Social Security office or a State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP) office, where staff can help you for free. Find your local SHIP at shiptalk.org.