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Every year, from October 15 through December 7, Medicare beneficiaries have the opportunity to change their Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Changes take effect January 1.
Most beneficiaries do not review their plans — they simply renew. According to research from the Kaiser Family Foundation, the majority of Medicare enrollees do not compare plans during AEP, even though many could save money or get better coverage by switching.
Here is a checklist of the seven things every Medicare beneficiary should review before AEP closes on December 7.
1. Check Your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
Every Medicare plan is required to send you an Annual Notice of Change by September 30. This document outlines every change your plan is making for the upcoming year: premium changes, deductible changes, benefit changes, and formulary updates.
Do not throw this away. Read it — or at least skim the key changes. If anything changed materially (your premium went up significantly, a benefit you use was cut, or the plan changed your cost-sharing), treat that as a signal to compare alternatives.
2. Review Your Prescription Drug Coverage
Formularies change every year. A drug you take that was covered at tier 2 (low copay) in 2026 may be moved to tier 4 (high copay) or removed entirely in 2027.
Action step: Use the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov and enter your complete medication list. The tool will show you estimated annual drug costs for your current plan AND all available alternative plans — letting you see at a glance if there is a plan that covers your medications more affordably.
3. Verify Your Doctors and Specialists Are Still In-Network
Provider networks change every year too. A primary care doctor or specialist who was in-network on your Medicare Advantage plan in 2026 may not be in 2027.
Action step: Go to your plan's provider directory (available on the carrier's website or by calling the plan) and look up your key providers. If anyone important has left your network, you have two options: find a new provider, or switch to a plan that includes your preferred providers.
4. Review the Extra Benefits That Actually Matter to You
Medicare Advantage plans compete heavily on dental, vision, hearing, OTC allowances, and other extra benefits. These benefits change year to year — a $200 annual dental allowance in 2026 might become $500 in 2027 on a new plan, or get cut on your current one.
Action step: Identify which extra benefits you actually used in 2026. Look at what your current plan is offering in 2027, and compare it to alternatives. Do not pay for benefits you never use — and do not miss out on improved benefits that other plans offer.
5. Compare the Part D Premium and Deductible
If you have standalone Part D (because you are on Original Medicare), compare your current plan to alternatives with your current medication list. Part D premiums and formularies change every year, and the plan that was lowest-cost for you in 2026 is not necessarily the lowest in 2027.
In 2027, the maximum Part D deductible is set by CMS each year. Some plans waive it, others apply it in full. Run the total annual cost calculation: 12 × premium + deductible + estimated drug copays.
6. Check the Plan's Star Ratings
CMS releases updated star ratings in the fall, before AEP. Plans are rated on a 1–5 star scale based on quality, customer service, and member experience.
If your current plan dropped to 3 stars or below, that is a signal to compare alternatives seriously. If a 5-star plan is available in your area that otherwise meets your needs, you can also switch to it during the Five-Star SEP even outside of AEP.
Where to find ratings: medicare.gov Plan Finder, or the carrier's CMS rating card.
7. Reconsider Whether Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap Is Still Right for You
AEP is a time to change Medicare Advantage plans, but it is also a time to evaluate whether the Advantage vs. Medigap decision still fits your situation.
If you have had a significant health change in 2026 — a new diagnosis, ongoing specialist care, or a hospitalization — you may be reaching or exceeding your Medicare Advantage plan's out-of-pocket maximum, and Medigap's predictable coverage may look more attractive.
Important caveat: Switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap outside of your initial enrollment window requires medical underwriting in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina. If your health has changed, you may or may not qualify. This is a conversation worth having with a licensed independent advisor before you make any changes.
AEP Quick Reference Dates
| Event | Date | |-------|------| | Annual Notices of Change mailed | By September 30 | | AEP Opens | October 15 | | AEP Closes | December 7 | | Coverage Changes Take Effect | January 1 |
What If You Miss AEP?
If December 7 passes and you did not make a change, your current plan automatically renews. You will need to wait until next year's AEP — unless you have a qualifying life event that triggers a Special Enrollment Period.
If you are in Medicare Advantage, there is also an Open Enrollment Period (OEP) from January 1 – March 31, during which you can make one change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or switch to Original Medicare.
You should not have to do this analysis alone. Schedule a free consultation before December 7 and we will compare every available plan in your county side by side — Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap — so you walk into 2027 with the right coverage at the right price.
Licensed in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I don't change plans during AEP, what happens? Your current plan automatically renews for the new year, even if its benefits, premiums, or network have changed. You will receive an updated member ID card if needed. This is why reviewing your Annual Notice of Change is important — your plan may have changed without you taking action.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare during AEP? Yes. During AEP (October 15–December 7) or the Open Enrollment Period (January 1–March 31), you can switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare. However, adding a Medigap plan requires medical underwriting in most states, including FL, AL, GA, and NC.
What is the deadline to change Medicare Advantage plans for January 1 coverage? December 7. Enrollments completed by December 7 take effect January 1 of the following year.
Should I work with an independent broker or go directly to a carrier? Working with an independent broker gives you access to all available plans in your county, not just the plans one carrier offers. A broker who is paid the same commission regardless of which plan you choose has no incentive to push you toward a specific option — making objective comparison more reliable.
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Max Zlobin
Founder & Independent Medicare Advisor
Max is a licensed independent insurance specialist dedicated to helping seniors navigate the complex world of Medicare. Based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, he provides unbiased plan comparisons, personalized enrollment help, and ongoing coverage reviews.
