Checking your Medicare plan during Open Enrollment
From October 15 to December 7 each year, you can change your Medicare Advantage or drug plan. Changes start January 1. Even if you liked your plan this year, its costs, drug list, or doctor network may be different next year.
Start with the letter your plan sent you
If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, your plan sends an Annual Notice of Change by the end of September. It lists what is changing next year. It is easy to miss in the mail, and it is the most useful thing to read.
Four things to check
These are the changes that cost people money when they are missed:
- Your medicines: are they still covered, and at what cost?
- Your pharmacy: is it still preferred or in network?
- Your doctors and hospitals: are they still in the plan's network?
- Your costs: premium, deductible, copays, and the yearly out-of-pocket limit
What you can change now
During Open Enrollment you can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, or join, switch, or drop a Part D drug plan.
If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, there is also a second chance from January 1 to March 31 to switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare.
If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Open Enrollment does not apply to Medigap policies. You can apply to switch at other times, but in most cases the insurer can look at your health before accepting you. Do not drop a Medigap policy until a new one is approved.
What to bring to a review
Bring these so one conversation is enough:
- Your Medicare card and your current plan's member card
- Your Annual Notice of Change letter, if you have one
- Your list of medicines and doses
- Your doctors and preferred pharmacy
How SRS helps
A licensed insurance agent at Senior Retirement Solutions reviews your notice, doctors, and medicines with you and explains trade-offs in plain language. You are never asked to decide on the first call.
Common questions
When is Medicare Open Enrollment?
Every year from October 15 through December 7. Changes you make during that window usually start January 1.
Can I change my Medicare Advantage plan during open enrollment?
Yes. During Open Enrollment you can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, if you qualify.
If I'm happy with my plan, do I need to do anything?
No. If you do nothing, you will usually stay in the same plan next year. It is still worth checking the Annual Notice of Change, because the same plan can cost more or cover different drugs.
When does a change take effect?
Changes made during Open Enrollment start January 1.