Annual Enrollment Period · Oct 15 – Dec 7
Medicare Open Enrollment: What You Need to Know
Every fall, Medicare gives you a window to review and change your coverage. Missing it — or not reviewing your plan — can cost you thousands. Here is everything you need to act confidently before December 7.
Key Dates to Know
Mark your calendar — the AEP window is only 54 days.
Insurance companies publish their new plan details for the upcoming year. Start reviewing changes to your current plan.
The Annual Enrollment Period officially begins. You can now enroll in, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.
Last day to make changes. Any plan switch you make takes effect January 1 of the new year.
Your new plan takes effect. Make sure your doctors and pharmacy are aware of any plan changes.
What You Can Change During AEP
AEP applies to Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D plans only — not Medigap.
Switch Medicare Advantage Plans
Move from one Medicare Advantage plan to another — change your carrier, network type (HMO vs PPO), or benefit structure.
Switch from Advantage to Original Medicare
Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare (Parts A & B), and add a standalone Part D plan.
Switch from Original Medicare to Advantage
Enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time or after a gap in Advantage coverage.
Change Your Part D Drug Plan
Switch to a Part D plan with better drug coverage, lower premiums, a preferred pharmacy, or a different formulary.
Add Part D Coverage
Enroll in a standalone Part D prescription drug plan if you currently have Original Medicare without drug coverage.
Drop Part D Coverage
Remove your standalone Part D plan if you are enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that already includes drug coverage.
What AEP Does NOT Cover
You cannot change a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan during AEP. Medigap changes require medical underwriting outside of guaranteed-issue periods. You also cannot enroll in Medicare Parts A or B for the first time during AEP — that requires your Initial Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period.
Your AEP Review Checklist
Before December 7, work through this checklist to make sure your coverage still fits your health and budget.
- 1Check your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) — sent by your plan every September
- 2Review whether your doctors and specialists are still in-network
- 3Confirm your prescriptions are still covered and check for tier changes
- 4Compare your current premium against available alternatives
- 5Review your plan's out-of-pocket maximum for the new year
- 6Check dental, vision, and hearing benefit changes if on Advantage
- 7Consider whether your healthcare needs have changed since last year
Get a Free AEP Plan Review
We compare every plan available in your county against your doctors, prescriptions, and budget — at no cost to you.
Free Medicare Review(850) 582-9611Serving FL, AL, GA & NC · Virtual & phone appointments
AEP Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Medicare Annual Enrollment from beneficiaries across the Southeast.
What is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)?
The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), also called the Fall Open Enrollment Period, runs October 15 through December 7 every year. During this window, Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their Medicare Advantage and/or Part D prescription drug plans. Changes take effect January 1 of the following year.
Can I change my Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan during AEP?
No. AEP applies only to Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D prescription drug plans. Medigap plans are not part of AEP. To change a Medigap plan outside of your initial enrollment window, you typically need to pass medical underwriting unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period or live in a state with guaranteed-issue protections.
What happens if I do nothing during AEP?
Your current plan will automatically renew for the new year. However, plans frequently change their premiums, formularies, networks, and benefits each year. Doing nothing without reviewing your Annual Notice of Change could mean you are unknowingly enrolled in a less favorable plan starting January 1.
Is there a Medicare Open Enrollment Period different from AEP?
Yes. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP) runs January 1 through March 31 each year. During this window, people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to a different Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare once. It is more limited than AEP and does not allow switching standalone Part D plans.
Do plan changes take effect immediately during AEP?
No. Any plan change you make during AEP — whether you switch, enroll, or drop a plan — takes effect on January 1 of the following calendar year, not when you make the change.
How can SwitchBlue help me during AEP?
We review your current plan against all available options in your county, check your doctors and prescriptions against each plan's network and formulary, and help you enroll in the best-fit plan at no cost to you. We serve beneficiaries across Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina.