Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: A Simple Guide to What You Need to Know

Every fall, Medicare opens a window that lets you review and change your coverage for the year ahead. It’s easy to ignore — but taking 30 minutes to check your plan can save you money and make sure your doctors and medications are still covered. Here’s a plain-language guide to what Medicare’s Open Enrollment is and how to make the most of it.

When is Medicare Open Enrollment?

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Any changes you make take effect on January 1. Mark these dates — outside this window, your options to switch are limited.

What you can do during this window

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, or the other way around.
• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
• Join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan.

Why it’s worth reviewing every year

Plans change every year — premiums, deductibles, covered drugs, and provider networks can all shift. A plan that was perfect last year might now cost more or drop a medication you take. Reviewing annually helps you avoid surprises and, often, save money.

How to review your coverage in 5 steps

• Read your plan’s “Annual Notice of Change” (mailed each fall) to see what’s changing.
• List your medications and doctors so you can check they’re still covered.
• Compare plans using the official Plan Finder at Medicare.gov.
• Check total cost — premiums plus deductibles, copays, and drug costs, not just the monthly premium.
• Confirm your pharmacy and providers are in-network before you switch.

Where to get free, trustworthy help

You don’t have to figure this out alone — and you should be careful about who you ask. For unbiased help, use these free official resources rather than unsolicited callers:

• Medicare.gov — the official site, with the Plan Finder tool.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — available 24/7.
• Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — free, unbiased one-on-one counseling.

A quick word on scams

Open Enrollment season brings a wave of aggressive calls and mailers. Medicare will never call you out of the blue to sell a plan or ask for your Medicare number. If someone pressures you or promises “free” benefits, hang up and contact Medicare or your SHIP directly.

This article is for general information only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. Rules and dates can change — always confirm current details at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.