What is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the main time each year when you can make changes to your health and prescription drug coverage. It is your chance to review your current plan and switch to one that better fits your needs for the coming year.

Medicare can feel like a lot to handle, but finding the right plan doesn’t have to be a chore. We are here to make the process simple and stress-free.

Key Takeaways

• AEP Dates: October 15 to December 7 each year.

• Coverage Start Date: January 1, 2027.

• What You Can Do: Switch Medicare Advantage or Part D plans, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

Important AEP Dates: When does AEP start?

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) officially runs from October 15 to December 7 every year. Any plan changes made during the 2026 AEP window will officially take effect on January 1, 2027.

Because this window spans less than eight weeks, it’s important to review your coverage early. Carrier network changes, drug formulary shifts, and out-of-pocket maximum updates for 2027 require careful evaluation—and waiting until the final days of AEP can limit your time to verify that your preferred doctors and medications remain covered.

Helping a Loved One Navigate AEP?

Managing Medicare decisions for a family member or loved one requires extra care, especially when balancing medical histories, recurring prescriptions, and preferred doctors across multiple specialists.

SelectQuote simplifies this process for caregivers by providing dedicated, step-by-step support. Our licensed agents work directly with you to verify doctor networks and prescription drug costs in real time, ensuring your loved one gets the coverage they need without missing important enrollment deadlines.

Learn more about how we support Medicare caregivers, or explore our guide to becoming a paid caregiver for a family member.

What can you change during Medicare AEP?

During the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)—which runs every year from October 15 through December 7—you may make changes to your Medicare coverage for the upcoming year.

During this enrollment window, you can:

• Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan: Transition from Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), which offers the same coverage as Original Medicare but often includes routine benefits like dental, vision, and hearing.

• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another: Move to a new Medicare Advantage plan with a different provider network, lower out-of-pocket costs, or better prescription coverage.

• Drop a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare: Leave your Medicare Advantage plan to return to Original Medicare (Parts A and B).

• Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan: Enroll in a standalone Part D plan, switch to a plan that covers your specific medications at a lower tier, or drop your drug plan entirely.

Why is the annual enrollment period important?

Many people let their Medicare plan auto-renew without looking at it. This can be a costly mistake. Insurance companies can—and often do—change their costs, benefits, and provider networks every year.

By taking a few minutes to compare plans during AEP, you can:

• Avoid Surprises: Make sure your favorite doctors and local pharmacies are still in your plan’s network.

• Save Money: Check if there is a new plan in your area with a lower monthly premium.

• Check Your Meds: Ensure your specific prescriptions are still covered at the lowest possible price.

• Get Extra Perks: Look for plans that may offer new benefits, such as dental, vision, or hearing coverage.

Medicare.gov Plan Finder vs. SelectQuote: Which should you use? 

While Medicare.gov offers a helpful starting point for self-guided research, relying solely on automated online tools can leave you vulnerable to outdated network data, unexpected prescription costs, and zero hands-on support. See how the Medicare Plan Finder compares to the agent-assisted services provided by SelectQuote. 

Annual Enrollment Period vs. Open Enrollment Period

Many beneficiaries confuse the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) with the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP). While both windows allow you to adjust your coverage, eligibility, and permitted plan changes differ significantly.

Explore Our Medicare Enrollment Resources

If you missed AEP or have specific questions about other times to sign up, these guides can help:

• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (OEP): Learn what to do if you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to switch.

• Special Enrollment Periods (SEP): Find out if a big life change, like moving or retiring, lets you change plans mid-year.

• General Enrollment Period (GEP): See your options if you missed your first chance to sign up for Medicare.

• How to Read Your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC): A simple guide to the important letter your insurance company sends you every September.

Trusted by Millions: Why choose SelectQuote?

At SelectQuote, we put your needs first. We represent many of the nation’s trusted insurance carriers, giving you more choices in one place.

• Proven Experience: We have helped over 6 million* customers find the right insurance coverage.

• Top Ratings: We are proud to maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

• Access to Trusted Carriers: We work with a network of nationally recognized carriers to find the best plans for your situation.  

• Real Results: 

  •  "SelectQuote made it so easy. I was worried about my heart medication costs, and my agent found a plan that saved me over $50 a month!" – Mary R., Satisfied Customer

  • "Professional, kind, and patient. They explained everything in a way I could actually understand." – James L., Satisfied Customer

*In 2023, an additional 3,433,470 and in 2024, 3,326,444 unique callers contacted SelectQuote, to inquire about Medicare plans. "Unique callers" are the total number of unique individuals who called the Medicare Helpline, powered by SelectQuote. Of those callers, 695,454 in 2023 and 718,984 in 2024 were sold, at minimum, one policy.