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

Open Enrollment is the yearly window when you can change your Medicare coverage without penalty. During these eight weeks, you can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, add or drop prescription drug coverage, or move to a different plan altogether. Outside this window, changes are usually blocked unless you have a may have access to life event — and those exceptions are narrow.

The 2024 Open Enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7. Your changes take effect on January 1, 2025. This timing is the same every year, so once you know the dates, you know them for life.

If you miss the important date and do not have a may have access to event, you are locked into your current plan for the full year. That is why marking these dates on your calendar now matters, even if you are not planning to switch.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Enrollment for 2024 runs October 15 to December 7, with changes taking effect January 1, 2025.
  • You can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, add or drop Part D drug coverage, or change plans without medical underwriting 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 like losing employer coverage or moving to a new state.
  • Medicare will mail you a notice before Open Enrollment showing your current plan and premium changes for the coming year.
  • 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 happens if you miss the Open Enrollment important date

Missing the December 7 important date means you stay in your current plan for all of 2025 unless you experience a may have access to life event. The Social Security Administration maintains a specific list of events that reopen your enrollment window, and "I changed my mind" is not on it.

may have access to events include losing employer or union coverage, moving to a different state or county, getting married or divorced, having a baby or adopting a child, and becoming may be able to access for Medicaid or losing Medicaid coverage. If any of these happen to you, you have 60 days from the event to make changes. You will need to report the event to Medicare and provide documentation — a marriage certificate, a lease showing your new address, a birth certificate, or a Medicaid notice, depending on what changed.

Some people also may have access to for a Special Enrollment Period if their plan is being discontinued or if they are newly may be able to access for Medicare. Check your may be able to access for a Special Enrollment Period at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE if you think an event applies to you.

How to compare plans before Open Enrollment ends

The Medicare Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov is the official place to see what plans are available in your area, what they cost, and which doctors and pharmacies they cover. You enter your zip code, current medications, and preferred doctors, and the tool shows you side-by-side comparisons of Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medigap plans.

The Plan Finder also shows you the monthly premium, annual deductible, copayments for doctor visits and hospital stays, and out-of-pocket limits for each plan. If you take prescription drugs, it shows which plans cover them and at what cost tier. This information changes year to year, so even if you were happy with your plan last year, checking the new rates and coverage before December 7 is worth the time.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to talk through your options, call 1-800-MEDICARE. A representative can walk you through the plans available to you and answer questions about coverage and costs. Many local Area Agencies on Aging also offer free counseling to help you understand your choices — search for your local agency at eldercare.acl.gov.

What to expect in the mail before Open Enrollment

In September or early October, Medicare will send you a notice called the "Annual Notice of Change" or "Notice of Change" if you are in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. This notice tells you whether your plan's premiums, deductibles, or copayments are changing for the coming year. It also tells you if your plan is being discontinued.

You will also receive a "Medicare & You" handbook, which is the official guide to Medicare coverage. It includes a summary of what Original Medicare covers, how to use the Plan Finder, and contact information for help.

Read these notices carefully, because they tell you whether your plan is still a good fit for your needs and budget. If your premium is going up significantly or your doctor is no longer in the network, Open Enrollment is your chance to switch.

Original Medicare versus Medicare Advantage: what you can change

During Open Enrollment, you can switch from Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) to a Medicare Advantage plan, or from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare. You can also switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or from one Medigap supplemental plan to another.

If you have Original Medicare and want to add a Medigap plan (supplemental coverage that pays some of the costs Medicare does not cover), you can do that during Open Enrollment, though Medigap carriers may ask health questions if you are not in your first six months of Medicare may be able to access. If you have a Medigap plan and want to switch to a different one, you can do that during Open Enrollment without medical underwriting.

Prescription drug coverage (Part D) can also be added, dropped, or changed during Open Enrollment. If you are in Original Medicare without drug coverage and want to add it, or if you are in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage and want to switch to one that does not (or vice versa), Open Enrollment is when you can make that change.

How to make changes during Open Enrollment

You have three main ways to change your plan: online, by phone, or in person. The fastest route for most people is Medicare.gov. Once you have compared plans using the Plan Finder, you can enroll in a new plan directly on the website. Your new coverage takes effect on January 1.

If you prefer to talk to someone, call 1-800-MEDICARE. Representatives are available seven days a week, and they can help you understand your options, answer questions about coverage, and process your enrollment over the phone. Have your current plan information and a list of your doctors and medications handy when you call.

You can also visit your local Social Security office in person to enroll. Find the office nearest you at ssa.gov. Some Medicare Advantage plans and insurance agents also offer in-person enrollment help during Open Enrollment — ask your current plan if they have enrollment events in your area.

What happens after you enroll in a new plan

Once you enroll, you will receive a confirmation notice from Medicare within seven to 10 days. Your new plan will send you a welcome packet with your member ID card, information about how to use your coverage, and details about your deductible and copayments. Keep your new member ID card with you and bring it to all doctor visits and pharmacy visits starting January 1.

If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may need to choose a primary care doctor or confirm that your current doctor is in the plan's network. If you enrolled in a plan that covers prescription drugs, check whether your medications are on the plan's formulary (the list of covered drugs) and whether your pharmacy is in the network. If your doctor or pharmacy is not in the network, contact your new plan to ask about coverage options or find an in-network provider.

If you change your mind after enrolling, you have until December 31 to make one more change. This is called the "Open Enrollment disenrollment period," and it gives you a second chance if your new plan does not work out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my plan if I am already in a Medicare Advantage plan?

Yes. During Open Enrollment, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, switch to Original Medicare, or stay in your current plan. You can make this change once per year during the October 15 to December 7 window. If you switch to Original Medicare, you can also add a Medigap or Part D plan at the same time.

What if my doctor is no longer in my plan's network next year?

This is a common reason to switch plans during Open Enrollment. Check the Plan Finder to see which plans in your area include your doctor. If no plan covers your doctor, contact your doctor's office to ask whether they will be in any Medicare plans next year, or ask your current plan about out-of-network coverage options.

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

You can keep your current plan if you are happy with it. You do not have to make any changes during Open Enrollment. However, check your Annual Notice of Change to see if your premiums or coverage are changing, because staying in a plan that no longer fits your needs can cost you money.

What if I turn 65 during Open Enrollment?

If you turn 65 between October 15 and December 7, you have a separate Initial Enrollment Period that lasts seven months, centered on your birthday month. You can enroll in Medicare during this period without waiting for the next Open Enrollment. Contact Social Security or Medicare to start your enrollment as soon as you turn 65.

Can I change my plan more than once during Open Enrollment?

Yes, you can change your plan as many times as you want between October 15 and December 7. However, only your final enrollment counts — the plan you are in on December 7 is the one that takes effect on January 1. If you enroll in one plan and then change your mind, your new enrollment cancels the old one.