Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
The yearly window from October 15 to December 7 when Medicare beneficiaries can change their coverage for the next year.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), also called the Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage and Part D, runs every year from October 15 to December 7. During AEP, anyone with Medicare can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan or vice versa, change Medicare Advantage plans, join a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan, drop a drug plan, or switch drug plans. Coverage choices made during AEP take effect January 1 of the next year. Beneficiaries should review their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) — mailed by their current plan in late September — for changes to premiums, deductibles, copays, drug formularies, and provider networks. AEP is different from Medicare's Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) for new enrollees, the General Enrollment Period (GEP) for late enrollees, and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP, January 1 to March 31), which only allows changes within Medicare Advantage.
In real life
- A beneficiary switches from Original Medicare plus Medigap to a Medicare Advantage plan during AEP.
- A retiree drops a high-cost Part D plan in favor of one with better drug coverage starting January 1.
- A snowbird checks new plan networks before choosing a different Medicare Advantage plan during AEP.
Also known as
Frequently asked questions about Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
When is AEP?+
October 15 through December 7 every year.
When does new coverage start?+
January 1 of the following year.
Can I switch between Medicare Advantage plans after December 7?+
Yes, once between Jan 1 and Mar 31 during the MA OEP — but only changes within Medicare Advantage.
Where do I get free help comparing plans?+
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) and Medicare.gov's Plan Finder.
Source: medicare.gov