The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the one time each year when most Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their coverage. Running from October 15 through December 7, it is the window to switch Medicare Advantage plans, return to Original Medicare, join or change a Part D prescription drug plan, or add a Medigap policy (subject to underwriting outside of guaranteed issue periods). Any changes you make during the AEP take effect on January 1 of the following year.
With so many plan details to evaluate, a structured approach can help you avoid overlooking anything important. The checklist below walks through each area worth reviewing so you can make well-informed decisions about your Medicare coverage.
What Is the AEP?
The Annual Enrollment Period is a federally established window that occurs every year from October 15 to December 7. During this time, you may:
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Move from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare
- Enroll in, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan
- Add a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy, though approval outside of guaranteed issue periods generally requires medical underwriting
Changes made during the AEP go into effect on January 1. If you take no action, your current plan will renew automatically with whatever changes your insurer has announced for the coming year. If you missed the AEP deadline, learn about what to do if you missed open enrollment.
For a more detailed overview of this enrollment window and the changes it allows, see our full AEP guide.
Step 1: Read Your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
Your current plan is required to mail an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) by September 30 each year. This document outlines every modification taking effect in the upcoming plan year. It is the single most important piece of mail you will receive during the fall.
Review the ANOC for:
- [ ] Premium changes — Is your monthly cost going up or down?
- [ ] Deductible adjustments — Has the annual deductible changed?
- [ ] Copay or coinsurance modifications — Are your costs for doctor visits, specialist appointments, or hospital stays changing?
- [ ] Formulary updates — Have any of your medications been removed, moved to a higher tier, or had new restrictions added?
- [ ] Provider network changes — Have any doctors, hospitals, or facilities been dropped from the network?
- [ ] Benefit reductions or additions — Are supplemental benefits like dental, vision, or hearing changing?
If you did not receive your ANOC, contact your plan directly to request a copy. Do not assume that no mail means no changes.
Step 2: Review Your Medications
Prescription drug coverage is one of the areas where plans change most frequently from year to year. A medication that was affordable this year may cost significantly more next year if the plan adjusts its formulary — the list of drugs it covers.
Work through this checklist for each medication you take:
- [ ] List every prescription you currently use, including the drug name, dosage, and how often you take it
- [ ] Confirm each drug is still on your plan's formulary for the coming year
- [ ] Check for tier changes — a medication moving from Tier 1 to Tier 2, for example, may mean higher copays
- [ ] Look into new generic alternatives that could lower your costs
- [ ] Note any new prior authorization or step therapy requirements that may affect access to your medications
The Medicare Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov allows you to enter your full medication list and compare estimated drug costs across available plans in your area. This is one of the most effective ways to identify a plan that covers your prescriptions at a reasonable cost.
For more on how formularies and drug tiers work, see our article on Medicare Part D formulary tiers and coverage.
Step 3: Check Your Provider Network
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, your access to doctors and hospitals depends on the plan's provider network. Networks can change from year to year, and a provider who was in-network this year may not be next year.
Verify the following:
- [ ] Your primary care doctor is still in the plan's network
- [ ] Specialists you see regularly remain in-network
- [ ] Your preferred hospital and medical facilities are still participating
- [ ] Any labs, imaging centers, or pharmacies you use frequently are still included
If a provider you rely on has left the network, it may be worth comparing other plans in your area that include them. Seeing an out-of-network provider in an HMO plan generally means paying the full cost yourself, while PPO plans may cover out-of-network care at a higher cost-sharing rate.
Our guide to comparing Medicare plans includes additional detail on evaluating provider networks as part of the plan selection process.
Step 4: Compare Star Ratings
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rates Medicare Advantage and Part D plans on a one-to-five star scale each year. These ratings reflect how well a plan performs across several categories, including quality of care, customer service, and member satisfaction.
When reviewing star ratings, consider:
- [ ] Overall plan rating — a quick snapshot of the plan's general performance
- [ ] Drug coverage rating (if the plan includes Part D) — how well the plan handles prescriptions, medication safety, and pharmacy services
- [ ] Customer service rating — responsiveness and accuracy of plan communications
- [ ] Member complaints — plans with fewer unresolved complaints tend to deliver a better experience
Plans that earn a 5-star rating offer a notable advantage: you may enroll in them at any time during the year through a 5-Star Special Enrollment Period, not just during the AEP.
For a deeper look at how the rating system works and what each category measures, read our article on understanding Medicare star ratings.
Step 5: Evaluate Costs Holistically
One of the most common mistakes when choosing a Medicare plan is focusing only on the monthly premium. A plan with a $0 premium may still result in higher total spending if its deductibles, copays, or drug costs are elevated. The goal is to estimate your total annual cost based on the services and medications you actually use.
Compare these cost components across plans:
- [ ] Monthly premium — what you pay each month regardless of whether you use services
- [ ] Annual deductible — what you pay out of pocket before the plan begins covering costs
- [ ] Typical copays and coinsurance — estimate based on how often you visit your doctor, see specialists, or use other services
- [ ] Prescription drug costs — your expected out-of-pocket spending on medications throughout the year
- [ ] Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) — the most you would pay in a worst-case scenario. For 2026, the in-network MOOP limit for Medicare Advantage plans is $9,250
- [ ] Part B premium — remember to factor in the standard Part B premium of $203.90 per month in 2026, which applies regardless of whether you have Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage
Adding up these figures gives you a more realistic picture of what a plan will cost over the course of a year, rather than relying on the premium alone.
Step 6: Consider Supplemental Benefits (Medicare Advantage)
Many Medicare Advantage plans include supplemental benefits that go beyond what Original Medicare covers. These extras vary widely from one plan to another, so it is worth comparing what is available in your area — especially if you regularly use services that Original Medicare does not cover.
Look for benefits such as:
- [ ] Routine dental care — cleanings, exams, fillings, and in some cases more extensive procedures
- [ ] Vision coverage — annual eye exams and an allowance toward glasses or contact lenses
- [ ] Hearing benefits — hearing exams and, in some plans, hearing aid coverage
- [ ] Over-the-counter (OTC) allowances — a quarterly or monthly credit for health-related products
- [ ] Fitness programs — gym memberships through programs like SilverSneakers or Silver&Fit
- [ ] Meal delivery — home-delivered meals following a hospital stay or surgery
- [ ] Transportation — rides to and from medical appointments
- [ ] Telehealth services — virtual visits with doctors and specialists
Keep in mind that these benefits can change from year to year, and not every Medicare Advantage plan offers all of them. Review what each plan includes to determine which supplemental benefits are most useful for your situation.
For a broader comparison of what Medicare Advantage plans offer versus Original Medicare, see our article on Medicare Advantage benefits and drawbacks.
Step 7: Use Free Resources
You do not have to navigate the AEP on your own. Several free resources are available to help you compare plans and make decisions:
- [ ] Medicare Plan Finder — the official comparison tool at Medicare.gov where you can enter your medications, providers, and pharmacy preferences to see personalized cost estimates
- [ ] 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — Medicare's official helpline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for questions about plans, enrollment, and coverage
- [ ] State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — every state offers free, unbiased counseling through SHIP. Counselors can help you understand your options without trying to sell you a plan. Find your local SHIP at shiphelp.org
- [ ] Licensed insurance agents — if you prefer personalized guidance, a licensed agent can walk you through available plans and help you enroll. There is no cost to you for using an agent, as they are compensated by the insurance companies
These resources can be especially helpful if you are comparing plans for the first time, have complex medication needs, or are considering switching between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
Timeline and Action Items
Here is a practical timeline to help you stay on track during the AEP:
By September 30: Your current plan mails the Annual Notice of Change. Read it carefully as soon as it arrives.
Early October: Begin reviewing your medications, providers, and current plan costs. Gather the information you need to compare alternatives.
October 15: The AEP opens. You can now make changes to your Medicare coverage through Medicare.gov, by calling plans directly, or with the help of a SHIP counselor or licensed agent.
November (mid-month goal): Aim to finalize your decision by mid-November. This allows time to address any issues, ask follow-up questions, or correct enrollment errors.
December 7: The AEP closes. After this date, most beneficiaries cannot make changes until the next AEP, though some Special Enrollment Periods may apply in certain situations.
January 1: Your new coverage takes effect.
Taking time to work through each step of this checklist can help you feel confident that your Medicare coverage aligns with your healthcare needs and budget for the year ahead. If you have questions at any point, reach out to 1-800-MEDICARE or your local SHIP office for free, unbiased assistance.