Medicare AEP 2026: What You Can Change October 15 to December 7

What Is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)?

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, sometimes called the Fall Open Enrollment Period or Annual Election Period, is the yearly window when people with Medicare can change their Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare prescription drug (Part D) coverage. For the 2026 cycle, AEP runs from October 15, 2026 through December 7, 2026, and any elections you submit will take effect on January 1, 2027.

This period is set nationally by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). No matter where you live, the dates are the same. If your plan receives your enrollment request by December 7, your new coverage starts on the first day of the following year.

Why AEP matters even if you like your current plan

Medicare Advantage and Part D plans change every year. Premiums rise or fall, drug formularies shift, provider networks add and drop hospitals, and copays for common services get restructured. For 2027, the changes are especially significant. The standard Part D deductible rises from $615 to $700 (a 13.8% jump), the annual out-of-pocket drug cap increases from $2,100 to $2,400 (a 14.3% increase), and CMS finalized a 2.48% payment boost for Medicare Advantage plans (worth more than $13 billion in additional payments) that may reshape premiums and supplemental benefits for next year. Treating AEP as a mandatory annual check-up (not just a switching window) is the single best way to avoid surprise costs.

Also worth noting: the federal Part D premium stabilization subsidy that has held down stand-alone drug plan premiums since 2025 officially ends on January 1, 2027 after CMS announced its conclusion on July 28, 2026. The 2027 national base beneficiary premium is now set at $41.33, up from $38.99 in 2026. CMS Administrator Oz has said most beneficiaries will pay less than $10 more per month, but analysts at KFF and AARP warn that some stand-alone PDP enrollees could see larger jumps.

What You Can Change During AEP 2026

During the October 15 to December 7 window, Medicare beneficiaries have broad flexibility to reshape their coverage. Here is exactly what is on the table:

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan (or vice versa)
• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, with or without drug coverage
• Join a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for the first time
• Switch from one Part D plan to another
• Drop your Part D coverage entirely (though this may trigger a late-enrollment penalty later)
• Add or drop drug coverage on a Medicare Advantage plan

What AEP does NOT cover: Medigap has its own rules

This is one of the biggest points of confusion. AEP is not an open enrollment window for Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance. Medigap has its own separate enrollment period. The federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a one-time, six-month window that begins the first month you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During that six-month window, insurance carriers cannot deny you coverage or charge you more because of pre-existing conditions.

Outside of that window (or a guaranteed-issue situation), most states allow insurers to use medical underwriting. That means you can technically apply for a Medigap policy during AEP, but the carrier can review your health history, charge higher rates, or decline coverage entirely. A handful of states (including Connecticut, New York, Maine, and Washington) offer year-round or seasonal guaranteed-issue protections, and 16 states now have some form of birthday rule that lets you switch plans without underwriting.

The Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) Letter

Every September, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are required to send members an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). This document spells out exactly how your plan will change on January 1 of the following year. Federal rules require plans to make sure the ANOC is delivered to members no later than September 30, 2026 for the 2027 plan year, either by mail or by email, depending on your communication preference.

The ANOC is often bundled with the Evidence of Coverage (EOC), which contains the full plan document. The ANOC is the quick-reference summary you should read first.

What to check on your ANOC letter

Read your ANOC with a highlighter in hand. Compare this year's numbers to next year's, and flag anything that changes materially. Focus on these six categories:

Pay particular attention to Part D changes this year. Because of the Inflation Reduction Act redesign, the 2027 benefit is officially codified into three phases (deductible, initial coverage, catastrophic), the $2,400 annual out-of-pocket cap applies to all plans, and you pay $0 for covered drugs once you hit that cap. CMS also rescinded the requirement that MA plans send mid-year notices about unused supplemental benefits, so the ANOC and your monthly EOB may be the only reminders about flex-card or OTC balances.

Using Medicare.gov Plan Finder to Compare Options

The official Medicare.gov Plan Finder (also called Plan Compare) is the most reliable tool for comparing 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D plans in your ZIP code. It pulls directly from CMS's official plan data, so premium, formulary, and star-rating information is accurate.

What is new in Plan Finder for AEP 2026

CMS made major upgrades to the tool for this enrollment season. For the first time, Plan Finder now displays which doctors, hospitals, and other providers are in a Medicare Advantage plan's network directly in the tool, instead of requiring you to click out to each plan's website. Plans must submit provider data to CMS in a standardized format and keep it current. If a plan has not supplied usable directory data, you may still be routed to that plan's own directory.

CMS also expanded how supplemental benefits (dental, vision, hearing, OTC, food, transportation, and newer categories like weight management and home-based palliative care) are displayed, including in-network vs. out-of-network cost sharing, prior-authorization requirements, and benefit limits. A new AI-powered drug search tool lets you compare personalized medication costs across pharmacies in your area, and you can now edit dosage, quantity, and frequency for drugs you have already saved.

Step-by-step: how to use Plan Finder

1. Go to Medicare.gov/plan-compare or click "Find plans" on the Medicare.gov homepage
2. Enter your ZIP code and confirm you want to see 2027 plans
3. Choose your plan type: Medicare Advantage or Medicare drug plan (Part D)
4. Add your prescription drugs with exact names, dosages, and monthly quantities
5. Select your preferred pharmacies (and consider mail-order for savings)
6. Use the new provider search to confirm your doctors are in-network
7. Review the list of plans, sorted by total estimated yearly cost
8. Check up to three plans and click "Compare" for a side-by-side view
9. When ready, click "Enroll" next to your chosen plan

The key metric to focus on is total estimated yearly cost, not just monthly premium. A $0-premium plan can easily cost more than a $40/month plan if its formulary drops your medications or its copays are higher.

Your AEP 2026 Checklist

Use this checklist to work through AEP systematically instead of scrambling in the final week of November.

• September: Read your Annual Notice of Change letter carefully
• Early October: Make a list of every current doctor, specialist, and hospital
• Early October: List every prescription with name, dosage, and frequency
• October 15: AEP opens. Log in to Medicare.gov Plan Finder
• Compare at least three plans by total estimated yearly cost
• Verify your doctors and preferred pharmacy are in-network for 2027 (use the new Plan Finder directory)
• Confirm every medication is on the plan's formulary and check the new $2,400 Part D out-of-pocket cap
• Check the maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit for Medicare Advantage plans
• Review any flex-card or OTC balances (unused amounts typically expire at year-end)
• Factor in travel plans, seasonal moves, and expected surgeries or care needs
• Consult a licensed independent Medicare broker or free SHIP counselor if you have questions
• By December 7: Submit your enrollment. Save your confirmation number
• January 1, 2027: New coverage takes effect. Verify your ID card arrives

Heads-up on new marketing rules for AEP 2026

Effective October 1, 2026 (just two weeks before AEP opens), CMS eliminated the 48-hour waiting period between when an agent obtains a Scope of Appointment form and when a personal sales meeting can occur. The agency also removed the 12-hour buffer that used to separate educational events from marketing events at the same location, and agents can now collect SOA forms during educational events themselves. In practice, an agent can move from an "educational" seminar directly into a plan pitch, provided attendees are clearly notified of the transition and given a chance to leave. Take your time, request written materials, and never sign anything on the first meeting if you feel rushed.

AEP vs. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)

AEP is not the only enrollment window for Medicare Advantage members. From January 1 through March 31 each year, there is a separate window called the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP). Many people confuse these two, but the rules are very different, and understanding both is critical when switching between plans.

During MA OEP, if you are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one additional chance to switch to a different MA plan or drop back to Original Medicare (and add a stand-alone Part D plan if desired). What you cannot do during MA OEP: move from Original Medicare into a Medicare Advantage plan, or change your stand-alone Part D plan if you stayed on Original Medicare after AEP. In other words, MA OEP is a narrow safety net for people who made a choice during AEP that is not working out. Life-event changes outside these windows may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Medicare AEP end in 2026?

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period ends on December 7, 2026. Your plan must receive your enrollment request by that date for coverage to begin January 1, 2027. If you miss the deadline, you generally have to wait until the next AEP unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a life event such as moving or losing other coverage.

What is the difference between Medicare open enrollment and annual enrollment?

They are often used as the same term. "Medicare Open Enrollment" and "Medicare Annual Enrollment Period" both refer to the October 15 to December 7 window for changing Medicare Advantage and Part D coverage. However, the "Medigap Open Enrollment Period" is a completely different, one-time six-month window tied to when you first enroll in Part B at 65. Do not confuse them.

Can I enroll in a Medigap plan during AEP?

You can apply for a Medigap policy during AEP, but AEP does not give you any special guaranteed-issue rights for Medigap. Unless you are still within your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period or have a guaranteed-issue situation (like losing employer coverage or your MA plan being terminated), insurers in most states can use medical underwriting to deny you or charge higher premiums. If you are new to Medicare, check our guide on enrolling in Medicare for the first time to align your Medigap and AEP timing.

What happens if I do nothing during AEP?

If you take no action during AEP, your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan will typically renew automatically for the next year, with the changes described in your Annual Notice of Change. This is fine if you have reviewed the ANOC and are comfortable with next year's premiums, formulary, and network. Doing nothing without reading the ANOC is risky in 2027, when the Part D benefit structure, the $2,400 cap, and the end of the premium stabilization subsidy have changed the market materially.

How is AEP different from the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period in January?

AEP (October 15 to December 7) is available to all Medicare beneficiaries and allows a broad set of changes, including switching between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. The MA OEP (January 1 to March 31) is only available to people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, and only lets them switch to a different MA plan or return to Original Medicare with a stand-alone Part D plan. You cannot use MA OEP to move from Original Medicare into Medicare Advantage.

What are the projected 2027 Medicare Part B costs?

The 2026 Medicare Trustees Report projects a standard Part B premium of $209.50 per month in 2027, up from $202.90 in 2026, and a Part B deductible of $292, up from $283. These are projections, not final numbers. CMS typically releases the official 2027 Part A and Part B figures in late October or November 2026, so watch for the official announcement before December 7.