What is the Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare?
The short answer
The Annual Enrollment Period, or AEP, runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. It's the main window when Medicare beneficiaries can switch, join, or drop Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plans.
The full explanation
The Annual Enrollment Period is the one time each year when most Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their drug coverage or Medicare Advantage coverage without needing a special qualifying reason. It runs the same dates every year: October 15 through December 7. Any changes you make take effect January 1 of the following year.During AEP, you can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare, join or switch a standalone Part D drug plan, or add a Part D plan if you didn't have one before (though a late enrollment penalty may apply if you went without creditable drug coverage for a while).This is also the period when it pays to actually compare plans rather than just staying put. Plans change their premiums, their drug formularies (approved drug lists), their networks of doctors, and their extra benefits every year. A plan that worked well for you last year might not be the right fit going forward.AEP gets a lot of TV and mail advertising, and it can feel overwhelming. The key is to focus on what matters for your specific situation: which doctors you want to keep, which medications you take, and how much you can reasonably spend out of pocket. A licensed local agent can do a side-by-side comparison without charging you for the help.
Related Medicare Resources
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Utah beneficiaries have access to carriers like SelectHealth, Regence BlueCross, UHC, Humana, Aetna, Molina, Devoted Health, Cigna, and Wellcare, though plan availability varies by county. Those in rural areas like Garfield, Kane, or Daggett counties typically have fewer Medicare Advantage options. Utah's ADRC offices offer free, unbiased counseling during AEP if you want help comparing plans.
What this means for you
For you, this means October 15 through December 7 is when you should review your current coverage, compare available plans, and make any changes before the new year begins.
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