Annual Enrollment
AEP 2026 Runs October 15 – December 7
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is your yearly chance to change your coverage for Plan Year 2027. Here's what's on the table and how to make the most of it.
Quick Answer
AEP 2026 runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. During this window you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, switch Part D drug plans, or return to Original Medicare. Any change takes effect January 1, 2027, for Plan Year 2027.
What You Can Change During AEP
- Switch Medicare Advantage plans — move from one MA plan to another to get better benefits, a different network, or a lower premium.
- Switch Part D plans — move to a different standalone drug plan if your medications, pharmacy, or costs have changed.
- Return to Original Medicare — drop a Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare, optionally pairing it with a Medigap policy and a Part D plan.
- Enroll for the first time — join a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan if you didn't have one before.
Not sure how Advantage and Medigap compare? SeeMedicare Advantage vs. Medigap for a side-by-side breakdown.
5 Reasons to Review Your Plan Every Year
Premiums Change
Plan premiums are set fresh each year and can go up, down, or disappear entirely as carriers adjust their offerings.
Formularies Change
The drugs a Part D or MA plan covers, and at what cost, can shift from one plan year to the next.
Networks Change
Doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies can move in or out of a plan's network without much warning.
Your Health Changes
A new diagnosis, medication, or specialist can mean last year's "right" plan no longer fits.
Better Options May Exist
New plans enter the market every year, sometimes with lower costs or better extra benefits than what you have now.
What to Have Ready Before Your Review
- Your current plan's member ID card
- A list of your current medications, including dosages
- The names of the doctors and specialists you see
How a Free Plan Review Works
A free review with Kayla Price, a licensed insurance agent, takes a look at your current plan against what's available for Plan Year 2027 in your area — checking your medications, doctors, and pharmacy against each option. There's no cost and no obligation to enroll in anything; the goal is simply to make sure you understand your choices before AEP closes.
This page is educational only and not a recommendation of any specific plan. You can review official plan details anytime atMedicare.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is AEP 2026?
AEP 2026 runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes you make take effect January 1, 2027, for Plan Year 2027.
What can I change during AEP?
During AEP you can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, switch from one Part D drug plan to another, join a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan for the first time, or drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare.
Do I have to do anything during AEP if I like my current plan?
You're not required to make a change, but it's worth a review every year — premiums, formularies, provider networks, and your own health needs can all shift from one plan year to the next, sometimes without much notice.
Is a Medicare plan review during AEP free?
Yes. A plan review with a licensed insurance agent is free and comes with no obligation to enroll in anything.
Review Your Plan Before AEP Closes
Get a free, no-obligation plan review with Kayla Price, a licensed insurance agent (NPN 18530055), before December 7.
Schedule Your Free Plan Review