Medicare open enrollment dates 2026

Medicare open enrollment dates 2026

The annual enrollment period is the yearly window when a person with Medicare can change coverage. It runs from October 15 through December 7, and any change made during it takes effect January 1. During this window, a person can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or change Part D plans. A person can also drop drug coverage, although that can create a penalty if the person later wants coverage again.

The annual window is the only time most people can make these changes without a qualifying event. A person who is happy with the current plan does not need to do anything; coverage continues. A person who wants to change should compare plans during the window, because premiums, formularies, and networks change each year.

What you can change during the window

Four categories of change are allowed. First, Medicare Advantage plan changes: switching to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or switching between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare. Second, Part D plan changes: switching to a different Part D plan, or adding Part D if you are in Original Medicare without it. Third, Medicare Advantage with drug coverage changes: switching between integrated plans. Fourth, dropping coverage: leaving Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare, or dropping Part D, which may trigger a penalty if you later re-enroll.

The window does not change Part A or Part B enrollment. Those are handled through Social Security and are governed by the initial, general, and special enrollment periods. A person who wants to add Part B outside the initial window needs a special enrollment period or the general enrollment period.

Medicare open enrollment vs general enrollment

The two windows are often confused. The annual enrollment period is for people who already have Medicare and want to change plans. The general enrollment period, from January 1 through March 31, is for people who did not enroll in Part A or Part B when first eligible and do not have a special enrollment period. Coverage from the general enrollment period starts the month after enrollment, and a late enrollment penalty may apply.

A person who is in the general enrollment period because of a missed window should also check whether a special enrollment period applies. The special enrollment period is usually better, because it avoids the penalty and starts coverage faster. The annual enrollment period is not a substitute for either one.

Medicare special enrollment periods

A special enrollment period lets a person enroll in or change Medicare coverage outside the annual window after a qualifying life event. Common events include losing employer or union coverage, moving out of a plan's service area, moving into or out of a nursing home, and certain other changes in circumstances. The period usually lasts a limited number of months after the event, and the exact length depends on the event.

Loss of employer coverage is the most common trigger. A person who loses coverage based on current employment has an eight-month window to enroll in Part B without a penalty, and a shorter window to enroll in Part D or a Medicare Advantage plan. The person should enroll the month before the coverage ends, so the start dates line up without a gap.

Medigap open enrollment

The Medigap open enrollment period is a one-time six-month window that starts when Part B begins. During it, an insurer generally cannot refuse to sell a Medigap policy or charge more because of health status. After the window closes, medical underwriting can apply, and a policy can be harder or more expensive to buy. This is separate from the annual enrollment period, which does not reopen Medigap underwriting protections.

A person who is turning 65 and choosing between Original Medicare with Medigap and a Medicare Advantage plan should make that choice with the Medigap window in mind. Delaying can close the window and limit options later.

How to use the annual window well

Five habits make the annual window productive. First, review the annual notice of change that the plan sends in September, which lists the premium, deductible, and formulary changes for the coming year. Second, compare the total annual cost on your own prescription list, not just the premium. Third, check whether your doctors and pharmacy are still in the network. Fourth, confirm whether a drug you take has moved to a higher tier or off the formulary. Fifth, enroll before the December 7 deadline, because the system gets busy in the final days.

A person who does nothing keeps the current plan. That is a valid choice when the plan still fits. The risk is not doing nothing; the risk is not checking, because a plan that fit last year may not fit this year.

Worked example

Consider a person in Original Medicare with a Part D plan. In October, the person receives the annual notice of change and sees that the Part D premium rose and a drug moved to a higher tier. The person uses the plan finder to compare three other Part D plans on the same prescription list and finds one with a lower total annual cost. The person switches during the annual window, and the new plan starts January 1. No penalty applies because the person maintained creditable coverage.

A second person is in a Medicare Advantage plan and learns that the primary care doctor is leaving the network. During the annual window, the person switches to a different Medicare Advantage plan that includes the doctor. The new plan starts January 1. If the person instead switched to Original Medicare, the person would need to buy a Part D plan during the same window to avoid a gap in drug coverage.

A third person misses the December 7 deadline. The person stays in the current plan for another year and must wait for the next annual window or a qualifying event. The missed deadline is not fixable later, which is why the September notice and the October start date matter.

What the annual window does not cover

1. The annual window changes plans, not Part A or Part B enrollment. Those are governed by different periods.
2. The window does not reopen Medigap underwriting protections. That is a separate one-time window tied to Part B.
3. A plan change during the window takes effect January 1. It does not take effect immediately.
4. This page explains the windows and deadlines. It does not recommend a specific plan, because the right plan depends on doctors, drugs, and budget.

Frequently asked questions

When is Medicare open enrollment for {year}?

The annual enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7, with changes effective January 1. It is the yearly window for changing Part D or Medicare Advantage coverage.

What can I change during Medicare open enrollment?

You can switch Medicare Advantage plans, switch between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare, change Part D plans, or drop coverage. Part A and Part B enrollment are not changed during this window.

What happens if I miss the December 7 deadline?

You stay in your current plan for another year unless you have a qualifying event that triggers a special enrollment period. The missed deadline cannot be fixed later.

What is the general enrollment period?

The general enrollment period runs from January 1 through March 31 each year. It is for people who missed their initial enrollment period. Coverage starts the month after enrollment, and a penalty may apply.

When does a special enrollment period apply?

After a qualifying life event such as losing employer coverage, moving out of a plan area, or moving into a nursing home. The length depends on the event.

Does Medicare open enrollment change Medigap?

No. The annual window does not reopen Medigap underwriting protections. Medigap has a separate six-month open enrollment period that starts when Part B begins.

Source table

Figure	Value used	Official source
Annual enrollment period	October 15 to December 7	Medicare.gov: when can I sign upChecked October 28, 2026
General enrollment period	January 1 to March 31	Medicare.gov: avoid penaltiesChecked October 28, 2026
Special enrollment period	8 months after a qualifying event	Medicare.gov: when can I sign upChecked October 28, 2026
Medigap open enrollment	6 months from Part B start	Medicare.gov: when can I sign upChecked October 28, 2026

See the hand-worked examples in the verification log

Where to compare plans during the window

The dates are the standard Medicare enrollment windows, checked against Medicare.gov on 2026-10-28. The plan finder on Medicare.gov is the official comparison tool, and it uses your prescription list and zip code to estimate total annual cost. A state SHIP counselor can walk through the comparison for free.

For the surrounding decisions, use the Part D out-of-pocket cap guide to understand drug costs, the Part B late enrollment penalty calculator if timing is in question, and the Medicare Savings Program and Extra Help calculator if income is limited.