Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 – December 7, 2026. This is the short window each year when most people with Medicare can review, change, or sign up for coverage that better fits their health and budget for 2027.
1. Important 2026 Open Enrollment Dates
- October 1, 2026: Insurance companies can start sharing 2027 plan information. You can compare benefits, premiums, and networks, but you can’t enroll yet.
- October 15 – December 7, 2026: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)During this time, you can:
- Switch Original Medicare ⇄ Medicare Advantage
- Change from one Medicare Advantage (MA) plan to another
- Join, drop, or change a Part D drug plan
- Move from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare (and consider a Medigap policy, subject to underwriting in most cases)
- January 1, 2027: Your new coverage starts, as long as your application was submitted on time.
- January 1 – March 31, 2027: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)For people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1. You may:
- Switch to a different MA plan, or
- Drop MA and return to Original Medicare and optionally enroll in a Part D plan.
- You cannot use MA OEP to go from Original Medicare into a Medicare Advantage plan.
- January 1 – March 31, 2027: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)For people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1. You may:
2. What You Can Change During AEP
During AEP (Oct 15–Dec 7), you can:
- Move between:
- Original Medicare + standalone Part D
- Medicare Advantage (with or without drug coverage)
- Switch Medicare Advantage plans:
- HMO ↔ PPO
- One company to another
- With drug coverage ↔ without drug coverage (if that’s appropriate for your situation)
- Switch Part D prescription drug plans:
- If you stay on Original Medicare or have MA without drug coverage and need a separate Part D plan.
What you cannot do during AEP:
- Enroll in Medigap (Medicare Supplement) on a guaranteed-issue basis just because it’s AEP.
- In most cases, after your initial Medigap open enrollment, you may need to answer health questions and can be denied or rated based on health.
- Some states have extra Medigap protections or switching windows; these are state‑specific and not the same as Medicare AEP
3. What’s Changing in 2026 (and Why It Matters)
Each year, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans adjust:
- Premiums
- Copays and coinsurance
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits
- Provider networks
- Drug formularies (which medications they cover and at what tier)
- Extra benefits (dental, vision, hearing, over‑the‑counter allowances, transportation, etc.)
Even if you’ve been happy with your plan, do not assume it will be just as good next year.
Review Your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
By September 30 each year, your current plan must send you an Annual Notice of Change. This document highlights what’s changing on January 1.
Look closely for:
- Premium changes – Is your monthly premium going up or down?
- Primary care / specialist copays – Are office visits more expensive?
- Hospital costs – Per-day or per-stay changes?
- Maximum out-of-pocket – How much could you spend in a bad year?
- Drug coverage – Did any of your medications:
- Move to a higher tier?
- Require prior authorization?
- Drop from the formulary?
If you don’t understand your ANOC, don’t ignore it—ask for help.
4. Special Considerations for Florida
- Very competitive Medicare Advantage market, especially in urban and suburban counties.
- Many plans with $0 premiums, but:
- Check networks carefully—some are very narrow.
- Verify your doctors and hospitals for 2027, not just 2026.
- Strong mix of HMO, PPO, and some chronic-condition special needs plans (C‑SNPs).
5. Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare + Medigap in 2026
When we speak with clients, we usually compare two paths:
Option 1: Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- All‑in‑one alternative to Original Medicare.
- Often low or even $0 premiums (you still pay your Part B premium).
- Extras may include:
- Dental, vision, hearing
- Over‑the‑counter allowances
- Gym benefits
- Transportation
- Must use the plan’s network (especially HMO) to get the best coverage.
- Has an annual maximum out-of-pocket limit for Part A and B expenses.
Best for people who:
- Don’t mind networks and referrals (in HMO plans),
- Want lower premiums and added