What dates are Medicare Annual Enrollment and what can I change?
The short answer
Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7 each year. During this time you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, move from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage or back, and change your Part D drug plan.
The full explanation
Every year from October 15 to December 7, Medicare opens a window where you can make changes to your coverage. Whatever you choose takes effect January 1 of the following year. This is the main time most people review and update their plans. During Annual Enrollment you can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare, or add and change a standalone Part D prescription drug plan. If you are on Original Medicare with a standalone drug plan, you can swap to a different drug plan or drop it entirely, though dropping without other creditable coverage could mean a penalty later. There is also a separate window called the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which runs January 1 through March 31. During that window, people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to a different Advantage plan or move back to Original Medicare. You cannot, however, use that January window to enroll in Medicare Advantage for the first time if you are currently on Original Medicare. Plan details, premiums, drug formularies, and networks can all change from year to year, so reviewing your Annual Notice of Change, the letter your plan sends each fall, before making any decision is a smart starting point.
Related Medicare Resources
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In Utah, plan availability varies by county. Rural areas like Garfield, Kane, and Daggett counties may have only one or two Medicare Advantage options, while the Wasatch Front typically has more carriers to compare, including SelectHealth, Regence BlueCross, UHC, Humana, Aetna, and others.
What this means for you
For you, this means October 15 is the date to put on your calendar each year to review whether your current plan still fits your needs and budget.
Related Questions
What is the Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare?
What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January to March?
What should I review about my Medicare plan every fall?
Can I change my Medicare plan during the year
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to a Medigap plan any time?
