What is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?
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Oct 07, 2025
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What Is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?
If you’re on Medicare
or about to be, you’ve probably heard the term Annual Enrollment
Period (AEP). It might sound complicated, but don’t worry. It’s actually
pretty simple once you break it down and know what you need to focus on. Let’s
walk through what the Annual Enrollment Period is, why it matters, and how it
gives you the chance to make sure your healthcare coverage is right for you and
your healthcare needs.
What Is the Annual Enrollment Period?
The Medicare Annual
Enrollment Period happens every year from October 15 to December 7. During this time, anyone with Medicare
can make changes to their coverage. These changes take effect on January 1
of the following year.
Think of it like a
yearly “check-up” for your Medicare plan. Your health needs, medications, and
budget change over time. AEP gives you the chance to adjust your coverage so it
fits your life.
What Can You Do During AEP?
During the Annual
Enrollment Period, you can:
Basically, if you’re not
happy with your current coverage or just want to see if there’s something
better, this is the time to make changes.
The Different Parts of Medicare Explained
Before we talk more about AEP, let’s go over the different parts of Medicare. Understanding these parts makes it easier to know your options.
●
Switch from a
Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
●
Change from
one Medicare Advantage plan to another
●
Join, drop, or
switch Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage)
Medicare Part A – Hospital Insurance
●
Helps cover
inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and some
home health care.
●
Most people
don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A because they or their spouse paid
Medicare taxes while working.
●
Helps cover
doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and medical supplies.
●
You pay a
monthly premium for Part B.
●
These are
private health plans (offered by insurance companies) that combine Parts A and
B, and often include Part D (prescription drugs).
●
Many plans
also offer extras like dental, vision, hearing, and fitness benefits, like
SilverSneakers.
●
You may need
to use doctors and hospitals in the plan’s network.
Medicare Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage
●
Helps pay for
prescription medications.
●
Plans are
offered by private insurance companies, and costs can vary.
Why the Annual Enrollment Period Matters
Your health and needs can
change from year to year. Maybe you’re taking new prescriptions. Maybe your
doctor is no longer in your plan’s network. Or maybe you’ve heard about a plan
with extra benefits that would save you money.
The Annual Enrollment Period is your chance to:
●
Make sure your
prescriptions are covered at a good price.
●
Check that
your favorite doctors are still in-network.
●
Compare costs
like premiums, co-pays, and deductibles.
●
See if you can
get extra benefits with a Medicare Advantage plan.
Tips for Making the Most of AEP
●
Review your Annual Notice of Change. Each fall, your plan will send a letter
explaining what’s changing for the next year. Don’t skip it!
●
Make a list of your current prescriptions and
doctors. This helps you
compare plans to see if they cover what you need.
●
Think about your budget. Sometimes a plan with a low monthly premium ends up
costing more in co-pays. Look at the big picture.
●
Don’t wait until the last minute. December 7 comes quickly, so give yourself
time to review your options.
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