Medicare Open Enrollment 2024 runs from October 15 to December 7

The 2024 Medicare Open Enrollment Period begins on October 15 and ends on December 7. During these seven weeks, you can switch between Medicare Advantage plans, change your prescription drug coverage, drop or add coverage, or move from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan. Any changes you make take effect on January 1, 2025.

This is the only time each year when you can make most changes to your Medicare coverage without a penalty or waiting period. If you miss the important date, you will be locked into your current plan for the entire year unless you experience a may have access to life event — such as losing employer coverage, moving to a new state, or getting married.

Open Enrollment is different from the Initial Enrollment Period, which is the seven-month window when you first turn 65 or become may be able to access for Medicare. It is also separate from the Medicare Advantage disenrollment period, which runs January 1 to January 31 each year and allows only Medicare Advantage members to switch plans.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2024, and any changes take effect January 1, 2025.
  • You can switch Medicare Advantage plans, add or drop prescription drug coverage, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage during this window.
  • If you miss the important date, you cannot change plans until the next Open Enrollment Period unless you have a may have access to life event.
  • Medicare will mail you a notice in September or early October listing your current coverage and reminding you of the enrollment dates.
  • You can compare plans and make changes online at Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or in person at a local Social Security office.

What you can change during Open Enrollment

During Open Enrollment, your options depend on what type of Medicare coverage you currently have. If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, switch to Original Medicare with a Medigap or Part D plan, or stay in your current plan. If you are in Original Medicare, you can switch to a Medicare Advantage plan, add prescription drug coverage (Part D) if you do not have it, switch to a different Part D plan, or add or switch Medigap coverage.

You cannot use Open Enrollment to change your Part A or Part B coverage itself — those are automatic once you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare. However, you can change the plans that cover those services. For example, you can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan that covers Part A and Part B to another Medicare Advantage plan, or move from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) paired with a Medigap plan.

Prescription drug coverage (Part D) is one of the most common reasons people make changes during Open Enrollment. Drug formularies — the list of medications each plan covers — change every year, and so do copayments and deductibles. If your current plan no longer covers one of your medications at an affordable price, Open Enrollment is your chance to switch to a plan that does.

How to compare plans before the important date

Medicare.gov has a plan comparison tool that lets you see side-by-side costs, coverage, and pharmacy networks for every plan available in your area. Go to Medicare.gov, click "Find Care Providers and Suppliers," then select "Compare Health Plans." You will need to enter your ZIP code, current medications (if comparing Part D plans), and preferred doctors to get accurate results.

The tool shows your estimated costs for the year under each plan, including premiums, deductibles, copayments, and out-of-pocket maximums. For Medicare Advantage plans, it also displays which hospitals and doctors are in-network. For Part D plans, it shows which pharmacies are in-network and what you will pay for each of your medications at each pharmacy.

If you need help understanding the comparison or have questions about specific plans, you can speak with a State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP) counselor for free. SHIP counselors are trained to explain Medicare options and help you find the plan that fits your health needs and budget. Call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask for your state's SHIP program, or visit shiptalk.org to find your local office.

How to make changes during Open Enrollment

You have three ways to make changes: online at Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or in person at your local Social Security office. Online is usually the fastest — you can compare plans, review your choices, and complete your enrollment in one session. The Medicare.gov website is open 24 hours a day during Open Enrollment.

If you call 1-800-MEDICARE, have your current Medicare card and any new plan information in front of you. Representatives are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time, seven days a week. Wait times are typically shorter early in the morning or late in the day. If you speak a language other than English, interpreters are available.

To enroll in person, visit your local Social Security office. You can find the nearest office at ssa.gov/locator or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Bring your Medicare card, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and a list of any medications you take. Social Security staff can help you understand your options and complete the enrollment process on the spot.

What happens after you enroll

Once you submit your enrollment, Medicare sends a confirmation notice to your home address within seven to 10 business days. This notice shows your new plan name, effective date (January 1, 2025), and your new member ID number. Keep this notice — you will need the member ID when you see doctors or fill prescriptions starting January 1.

Your new plan will also send you a welcome packet in December, usually including your new insurance card, a member handbook, and information about how to find doctors and pharmacies in your network. If you do not receive your new card by December 20, call the plan's customer service number (listed on your confirmation notice) to request a replacement.

If you change your mind after enrolling, you have until December 31, 2024, to make another change during Open Enrollment. After December 7, you can still enroll in a plan, but only until December 31 — and your coverage will not start until January 1, 2025. If you miss December 31, you cannot change plans again until the next Open Enrollment Period in October 2025, unless you have a may have access to life event.

Common mistakes to avoid during Open Enrollment

One of the biggest mistakes is waiting until the last week of Open Enrollment to make changes. The Medicare.gov website can become slow in early December, and if you have questions, SHIP counselors and Medicare representatives are harder to reach. Starting your comparison in mid-October gives you time to ask questions and think through your options without rushing.

Another common error is not checking whether your doctors and pharmacies are in-network for your new plan. Just because a doctor accepted your old plan does not mean they accept your new one. Before you enroll, use the plan's provider directory (usually on the plan's website or in the comparison tool) to confirm that your primary care doctor, specialists, and preferred pharmacy are in-network. If your current doctor is not in-network, call the doctor's office to ask if they accept the new plan or if they can refer you to someone who does.

People also sometimes forget to update their prescriptions in the plan's system. If you switch Part D plans, your new plan may not automatically know about your current medications. When you enroll, make sure you list all the medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. This ensures the plan's formulary review is accurate and you are not surprised by a copayment or coverage denial on January 1.

If you miss the Open Enrollment important date

If December 7 passes and you have not made changes, you are locked into your current plan for 2025 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, having a baby, or experiencing a significant drop in income. If any of these explore to you, you have 60 days from the event to make changes.

To report a may have access to event, call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit Medicare.gov and select "Report a Life Event." You will need to provide proof of the event — such as a termination letter from your employer, a marriage certificate, or a birth certificate. Medicare will review your claim and, if approved, will give you a Special Enrollment Period to change your coverage.

If you do not have a may have access to event and you miss the important date, your only option is to wait until the next Open Enrollment Period in October 2025. However, if you are unhappy with your current plan, you can contact your plan's customer service to ask about any mid-year changes or programs that might help reduce your costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change plans more than once during Open Enrollment?

Yes. You can make as many changes as you want between October 15 and December 7, 2024. Each time you enroll in a new plan, your previous enrollment is cancelled. Only your final enrollment — the one you submit by December 7 — will take effect on January 1, 2025.

Do I have to enroll in a new plan, or can I keep my current one?

You can keep your current plan without doing anything. If you do not make any changes by December 7, you will automatically stay in your current plan for 2025. However, it is a good idea to review your plan each year during Open Enrollment to make sure it still meets your needs and budget, especially if your medications or doctors have changed.

What if my plan is being discontinued?

If your current plan is ending, Medicare will notify you by September 30. You must choose a new plan by December 7, or Medicare will automatically enroll you in a plan it selects. To avoid automatic enrollment, compare plans and choose one yourself before the important date. Call your current plan or 1-800-MEDICARE if you need help understanding your options.

Can I switch back to my old plan if I do not like my new one?

Only if you switch back before December 31, 2024. After that, you cannot change plans again until the next Open Enrollment Period in October 2025, unless you have a may have access to life event. This is why it is important to carefully review your new plan's coverage and provider network before your enrollment takes effect on January 1.

What if I turn 65 during Open Enrollment?

If you turn 65 between October 15 and December 7, 2024, you are in your Initial Enrollment Period, not Open Enrollment. Your Initial Enrollment Period is the seven-month window centered on your birthday month. You can enroll in any Medicare plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, and your coverage can start as early as the first day of your birthday month.