Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7 each year

Open Enrollment is the yearly window when you can change your Medicare plan without penalty. It happens the same time every year: October 15 through December 7. During these seven weeks, you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, move between Medicare Advantage plans, add or drop prescription drug coverage, or switch back to Original Medicare. Any changes you make take effect January 1 of the following year.

If you miss the October-December window, you cannot change plans until the next October unless a specific life event happens to you — such as losing employer coverage, moving to a new state, or becoming newly may be able to access for Medicare. Missing the important date means you stay in your current plan for the entire year, so marking these dates on your calendar matters.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Enrollment happens every year from October 15 to December 7, and changes take effect January 1.
  • You can switch between any Medicare plans during this window — Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or prescription drug plans — without waiting periods or extra costs.
  • If you miss the important date, you cannot change plans until October of the next year unless you have a may have access to life event.
  • You should review your current plan each fall to check whether your doctors and medications are still covered, because plan networks and drug lists change every year.

What you can change during Open Enrollment

During the seven-week window, you have full freedom to restructure your coverage. If you are on Original Medicare, you can switch to a Medicare Advantage plan. If you are on Medicare Advantage, you can move to a different Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare. You can add a prescription drug plan (Part D) if you do not have one, drop it if you do, or switch to a different drug plan. You can also add or change a supplemental insurance plan (Medigap) if you are on Original Medicare.

The one thing you cannot do during Open Enrollment is change your hospital and medical coverage (Parts A and B) if you already have it — that window is different and happens in January. But for everything else, October 15 to December 7 is your chance to make changes without justifying them to Medicare or your plan.

Why you should review your plan each fall

Even if you are happy with your current plan, the plan itself changes every year. Insurance companies update their networks of doctors and hospitals, change which medications they cover, adjust copays and deductibles, and sometimes withdraw from your area entirely. A doctor you saw all year might not be in-network next year. A medication you take might move to a higher cost tier. Your out-of-pocket costs could rise significantly.

The best time to catch these changes is during Open Enrollment, before they take effect. Your plan should send you a notice in September or early October listing what is changing. Read it carefully, or call your plan to ask what changed for your specific doctors and drugs. If the changes are not acceptable, you have until December 7 to switch to a plan that works better for you.

Life events that let you change plans outside Open Enrollment

If certain things happen to you during the year, you get a Special Enrollment Period — a separate window to change plans even though it is not October. These events include losing employer or union coverage, moving to a new state or county, becoming newly may be able to access for Medicare, getting married or divorced, or having a significant drop in income. You typically have 60 days from the event to make changes, though the exact important date depends on which event occurred.

Other may have access to events include being dropped from a plan because the plan left your area, having a change in Medicaid status, or being in a plan that Medicare found to be failing. If you think a life event has happened to you, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to ask whether you have a Special Enrollment Period. Do not wait — the 60-day window is firm, and missing it means you are locked into your current plan until October.

How to compare plans and make your change

Medicare.gov has a plan comparison tool where you can enter your current doctors and medications and see which plans cover them and what your costs would be. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE to speak with someone who can walk you through your options. Many insurance companies and local senior centers offer free counseling during Open Enrollment as well — ask your plan or your Area Agency on Aging for a list of counselors near you.

Once you have decided on a new plan, you can switch through Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, by mail using the form your plan sends you, or directly through the insurance company. If you switch by December 7, your new plan starts January 1. If you switch after December 7, your change does not take effect until the following month, so the important date matters.

What happens if you miss the important date

If December 7 passes and you have not made a change, you stay in your current plan for the entire year. You cannot switch plans again until the next October 15, unless a may have access to life event happens. This means if your doctor leaves your plan's network in January or your medication becomes too expensive, you cannot move to a different plan to fix it — you are locked in.

The only exception is if your plan itself stops serving your area or Medicare finds the plan is not meeting standards. In those cases, Medicare will move you automatically or give you a Special Enrollment Period to choose a new plan. But for routine changes — switching because you want a different plan, because costs went up, or because your doctor is no longer in-network — you have to wait until October if you miss the important date.

Marking your calendar and staying on track

Open Enrollment dates are the same every year, so you can mark October 15 to December 7 in your calendar now and set a reminder for early October. Many people find it helpful to review their plan in September, when the annual notices arrive, so they have time to compare options before the window opens. If you have a family member or caregiver helping you with Medicare, make sure they know these dates too.

Some people set their reminder for mid-October rather than waiting until the last week, because calling Medicare or comparing plans can take time. If you wait until late November or early December, you might find yourself rushed or unable to reach someone to answer your questions. Starting your review in September and making your decision by mid-November gives you a comfortable buffer before the December 7 important date.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I turn 65 and become may be able to access for Medicare during the year?

You have a seven-month Initial Enrollment Period centered on your birthday month — three months before, the month you turn 65, and three months after. During this window, you can choose any Medicare plan without waiting for October. After this period ends, you cannot change plans until the next October unless a life event occurs.

Can I change my mind after I switch plans?

Yes, as long as you are still within the Open Enrollment period. If you switch to a new plan on November 1 and then change your mind by December 7, you can switch again. But once December 7 passes, you are locked into whatever plan you chose until the next October.

Do I have to do anything to stay in my current plan?

No. If you do nothing during Open Enrollment, you automatically stay in your current plan. Your coverage continues unchanged on January 1. You only need to act if you want to make a change.

What if my plan is leaving my area?

Your plan will notify you by October 1 if it is withdrawing from your county. When that happens, Medicare gives you a Special Enrollment Period to switch to a different plan, even outside of October. You will receive a notice with your options and the important date to choose a new plan.

Can I change my prescription drug plan separately from my medical plan?

Yes. If you are on Original Medicare, you can change your Part D drug plan during Open Enrollment without changing your medical coverage. If you are on Medicare Advantage, your drug coverage is usually included in the plan, but you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan that offers different drug coverage.