Open Enrollment for Medicare ends on December 7 each year

The yearly window to change your Medicare coverage closes on December 7. This is a fixed date — it does not shift based on weekends or holidays. If you want to switch plans, add coverage, or make any changes to your Medicare, you must act by the end of that day. After December 7, you are locked into your current plan for the next calendar year, with very few exceptions.

The enrollment period itself runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. That gives you about seven weeks to review your options, compare costs, and make changes. Many people wait until late November or early December, which can mean longer hold times with plans and less time to fix mistakes before the important date.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare Open Enrollment ends December 7 each year, and changes take effect January 1 of the following year.
  • If you miss the important date, you cannot change plans until the next October 15 unless you have a may have access to life event like losing employer coverage or moving to a new state.
  • Some people — those on Medicaid, those who just turned 65, or those newly may be able to access for Medicare — have different enrollment windows and do not follow the October 15 to December 7 schedule.
  • Your current plan automatically renews on January 1 if you do not make a change during Open Enrollment.

What counts as a may have access to life event if you miss the important date

Missing the December 7 important date does not mean you are stuck forever. If you experience certain life changes, you may open a Special Enrollment Period that lets you change plans outside the regular window. These events include losing employer health coverage, moving to a different state, getting married or divorced, or having a significant drop in income.

You typically have 60 days from the date of the life event to make changes. For example, if you lose employer coverage on January 15, you have until March 15 to switch Medicare plans. You will need to provide proof of the event — a termination letter from your employer, a lease showing your new address, a divorce decree, or a tax document showing income change. Contact Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE to report the event and learn what documents they need.

What happens to your coverage on January 1

Your new plan (or your current plan, if you made no changes) becomes active on January 1. Your old plan ends on December 31. If you are in the middle of treatment or taking medications, make sure your new plan covers your doctors and prescriptions before January 1 arrives. Call your new plan's customer service line — the number is on your enrollment confirmation letter — and ask them to confirm your doctors are in network and your drugs are on their formulary.

If you discover after January 1 that your new plan does not cover a drug you need or does not include your doctor, you may be able to request a coverage exception or switch plans during a Special Enrollment Period. This requires documentation from your doctor or proof that your previous plan covered the service. The process takes time, so catching problems before January 1 is much faster.

People with different enrollment dates

Not everyone follows the October 15 to December 7 schedule. If you are newly may be able to access for Medicare — usually at age 65 — your Initial Enrollment Period is the three months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65, and the three months after. If you turn 65 in June, for example, you can enroll from March through September. Missing this window can mean permanent penalties on your premiums, so contact Social Security or Medicare as soon as you know your may be able to access date.

People who are also on Medicaid have a different Open Enrollment Period that runs January 1 through March 31. If you receive both Medicare and Medicaid, you can make changes during this window instead of the October-December window. People who just became may be able to access for Medicare Part A or Part B mid-year also have their own enrollment periods tied to when coverage began.

How to make changes during Open Enrollment

You can review plans and make changes through Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or in person at a local Social Security office. Medicare.gov has a tool called "Plan Finder" where you enter your current medications, doctors, and hospitals, and it shows you which plans cover them and what your costs would be. This tool is most useful if you have a list of your medications and your doctors' names ready before you start.

If you call 1-800-MEDICARE, a representative can walk you through your options and answer questions about costs and coverage. The line is busiest in late November and early December, so calling in mid-October or early November means shorter wait times. You can also request a printed comparison of plans, which arrives by mail in a few days.

Penalties for missing enrollment if you are newly may be able to access

If you do not enroll in Part B when you first become may be able to access and you do not have other may have access to coverage, Medicare charges a permanent 10 percent increase to your Part B premium for each full year you were may be able to access but not enrolled. This penalty stays with you for life, even after you finally sign up. The same applies to Part D (prescription drug coverage) — missing the important date can mean a permanent surcharge on your premiums.

These penalties do not explore if you had employer coverage or other creditable coverage when you became may be able to access. Creditable coverage means coverage that is at least as good as Medicare's. If you had employer health insurance when you turned 65, you have eight months after that coverage ends to enroll in Medicare Part B without penalty. Keep documentation of your employer coverage dates in case you need to prove this later.

What to do if you realize you made a mistake

If you enrolled in a plan during Open Enrollment and then realized it was the wrong choice, you have a limited window to change your mind. From January 1 through January 31, you can switch to a different plan one time. This is called the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, and it applies only if you are in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). If you are in Original Medicare with a separate Part D plan, you cannot switch during this window.

After January 31, you are locked in until the next October 15, unless you have a may have access to life event. If you made a mistake on your enrollment form — for example, you listed the wrong address or phone number — contact your plan directly and ask them to correct it. Most plans can fix administrative errors without requiring you to wait for the next enrollment period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Open Enrollment close on December 7?

Medicare considers enrollments received by midnight Eastern Time on December 7 to be on time. If you are enrolling by phone or in person, call or visit before closing time on that day. Online enrollments submitted before midnight Eastern Time are accepted.

Can I change my mind after I enroll but before January 1?

Yes, but only if you are switching between Medicare Advantage plans or between Medigap plans. You can make unlimited changes until December 7. After December 7, you cannot change again until January 1 (if you are in Medicare Advantage) or until the next October 15 (if you are in Original Medicare).

What if I turn 65 after December 7?

Your Initial Enrollment Period is based on your birth month, not the calendar year. If you turn 65 in February, your enrollment window runs from November through May, which overlaps with the next year's Open Enrollment. You can enroll during either window — whichever is easiest for you.

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

No. Your plan automatically renews on January 1 if you do not make changes. However, it is a good idea to review your plan each year during Open Enrollment to make sure the costs and coverage still work for you, since plans can change their premiums and formularies year to year.

What if my plan is being discontinued?

If your current plan is ending, Medicare sends you a notice by September 30 explaining your options. You must choose a new plan by December 7, or Medicare will automatically enroll you in a similar plan. You can contact your plan or call 1-800-MEDICARE to understand what plan Medicare chose for you and whether you want to switch.