What happens during Medicare Open Enrollment

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. During this window, you can join a Medicare plan, switch from one plan to another, or drop coverage entirely. Outside these dates, you generally cannot make changes unless you have a may have access to life event—like turning 65, losing employer coverage, or moving to a new state.

Open Enrollment is your annual chance to review what you're paying and what you're getting. If your current plan's premiums went up, your doctors are no longer in-network, or you found a plan with better prescription drug coverage, this is when you act. After December 7, your choices lock in for the next calendar year.

The process itself is straightforward: you compare plans, pick one, and confirm your choice through Medicare. You do not need to contact your current insurance company to leave—Medicare handles the transition when your new plan's coverage begins on January 1.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 each year, and changes take effect January 1 of the following year.
  • You can sign up through Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or in person at a local Social Security office.
  • Have your current plan documents, a list of your medications, and your doctors' names ready before you start comparing plans.
  • If you miss the important date and do not have a may have access to life event, you cannot change plans until the next Open Enrollment period.
  • Plans with the same letter name (like two different Plan G options) can have different costs and coverage, so compare them side by side.

Signing up online through Medicare.gov

The fastest way to enroll is through Medicare.gov, Medicare's official website. Go to the homepage and look for the "Find Care Providers & Compare Plans" button. You will be asked to enter your ZIP code, then shown all available plans in your area ranked by estimated yearly costs.

The site shows you three main plan types: Original Medicare with Medigap (supplemental insurance), Medicare Advantage (Part C), and standalone prescription drug plans (Part D). For each plan, you see the monthly premium, annual deductible, copays, and which doctors and pharmacies are in-network. Click on any plan to see the full details, including whether your current medications are covered and at what cost.

Once you have chosen a plan, click "Enroll" on that plan's page. You will be asked to confirm your personal information and Medicare number (on your red, white, and blue Medicare card). Review everything, then submit. You should receive a confirmation email when ready and a welcome packet from your new plan within two weeks.

Signing up by phone or in person

If you prefer not to use the website, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). A representative can walk you through available plans, answer questions about coverage, and enroll you over the phone. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week during Open Enrollment. Have your Medicare number and a list of your current doctors and medications ready.

You can also visit your local Social Security office in person. A staff member can help you compare plans and enroll. Find your nearest office at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm hours. Some communities also have certified Medicare counselors at senior centers or libraries who can help for free.

What to gather before you enroll

Before you start comparing, collect three things: your current insurance documents (if you already have Medicare coverage), a complete list of your medications with dosages, and the names of the doctors you see regularly. This takes 15 minutes and saves you from picking a plan that does not cover your prescriptions or include your cardiologist.

Use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov to check whether specific medications are covered by each plan and at what tier (tier 1 is cheapest, tier 5 is most expensive). Type in your pharmacy name too—some plans have limited pharmacy networks, and mail-order pharmacies may not be included. If your doctor is not listed in a plan's network, call the plan directly to confirm they accept it; online directories are sometimes outdated.

Write down the total estimated yearly cost for each plan you are considering. This includes premiums (what you pay monthly), deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Medicare.gov calculates this for you based on your medications and usage patterns, but the number is an estimate, not a may provide.

Understanding plan types and coverage

Original Medicare is run by the federal government and covers hospital (Part A) and doctor visits (Part B). Most people add a Medigap policy (supplemental insurance sold by private companies) to cover costs Original Medicare does not pay. Medigap plans are labeled A through N; Plan G and Plan N are the most common. You choose your own doctors with no network restrictions.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an all-in-one alternative run by private insurance companies. It includes hospital, doctor, and usually prescription drug coverage in one plan. You must use in-network doctors (except emergencies), and many plans have lower premiums than Original Medicare plus Medigap. The trade-off is that you may pay more per visit and have to get approval for certain procedures.

Standalone prescription drug plans (Part D) are added to Original Medicare if you do not choose Medicare Advantage. You pick a plan based on which pharmacies and medications it covers. If you do not enroll in Part D when you first become may be able to access and go without coverage, you may pay a penalty later.

After you enroll

Your new coverage begins January 1. You will receive a new insurance card from your plan in the mail by mid-December; use your old card until then. Your old plan coverage ends December 31, so do not cancel it yourself—your new plan takes over automatically.

If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you have a 45-day window (January 1 through February 14) to change your mind and switch to a different plan or back to Original Medicare. This is called the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. If you enrolled in Original Medicare or a standalone drug plan, you cannot switch again until the next Open Enrollment in October.

Mark your calendar for October 15 of the following year. Open Enrollment comes around every year, and your plan's costs and coverage may change. Reviewing your options annually takes an hour and can save you hundreds of dollars.

What to do if you miss the important date

If December 7 passes and you have not enrolled, you cannot sign up for a new plan until October 15 of the next year—unless you have a may have access to life event. These include turning 65, losing employer coverage, moving to a new state, getting married or divorced, or experiencing a significant drop in income.

If you have a may have access to event, you have 60 days from the date of the event to enroll or make changes. Report the event to Medicare by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or updating your information on Medicare.gov. You will need to provide proof—a copy of your birth certificate for turning 65, a letter from your employer for losing coverage, or a lease or utility bill for moving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change plans more than once during Open Enrollment?

Yes. You can switch plans as many times as you want between October 15 and December 7. Each time you enroll in a new plan, your previous selection is cancelled. Only your final choice on or before December 7 takes effect January 1.

What if my doctor is not in my new plan's network?

Call your new plan and ask whether your doctor is in-network or can be added. If not, you can switch to a different plan during the 45-day Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 through February 14) if you enrolled in Medicare Advantage. If you enrolled in Original Medicare, you are locked in until next October.

Do I have to choose a new plan every year?

No. If you are happy with your current plan and its costs have not changed significantly, you can do nothing and keep the same coverage. However, reviewing your options once a year takes little time and often uncovers better deals or plans that cover new medications you now take.

What happens if I do not enroll in Part D prescription drug coverage?

If you go without Part D coverage for more than 63 days after you first become may be able to access, you will owe a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Medicare. The penalty is about 1% of the national average Part D premium per month of delay. Enroll during Open Enrollment to avoid this cost.

Can I enroll in Medicare before I turn 65?

No. You can enroll starting three months before the month you turn 65. For example, if you turn 65 in June, you can enroll starting in March. Your coverage can begin as early as the first day of the month you turn 65.