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Medicare Open Enrollment 2026 Deadline Reminders

By Drew Published July 14, 2026

An elderly man in a sweater sits at a table reading a document indoors.

Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: Deadlines, Dates, and What You Can Change

If you are enrolled in Medicare — or you help a parent or loved one manage their coverage — the Medicare Open Enrollment Period is the single most important window on the calendar. Missing it can mean being locked into a plan that no longer fits your needs for another full year.

Here is everything you need to know about Medicare Open Enrollment in 2026, including the exact dates, what changes you are allowed to make, and the steps to take before the deadline passes.

When Is Medicare Open Enrollment in 2026?

Medicare Open Enrollment — officially called the Annual Election Period (AEP) — runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026.

Any changes you make during this window take effect on January 1, 2027. The plan must receive your enrollment request by December 7 for your changes to go through on time.

This is the same enrollment window every year. But the plans themselves change annually — premiums shift, drug formularies update, provider networks adjust — which is why reviewing your coverage each fall matters, even if you are generally happy with your current plan.

What Can You Do During Medicare Open Enrollment?

During the October 15 – December 7 window, you have several options:

Switch Medicare Advantage plans. If your current MA plan is raising premiums, narrowing its provider network, or no longer covers the prescriptions you take, you can move to a different Medicare Advantage plan — with or without prescription drug coverage.
Drop a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. If an MA plan is not working for you, AEP is your chance to leave it. If you go back to Original Medicare, you may want to enroll in a standalone Part D drug plan and consider a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan to help cover out-of-pocket gaps.
Join, drop, or switch a Part D prescription drug plan. If you are on Original Medicare and need prescription coverage — or your current drug plan is changing its formulary — you can switch to a different Part D plan during AEP.
Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan. If you have been on Original Medicare and want the additional benefits many MA plans offer (dental, vision, hearing, wellness programs), AEP is the time to enroll.

The key point: this is not just for people who are unhappy with their plans. Even if your plan seems fine, drug formularies and provider networks change every year. A quick annual review can prevent a surprise in January.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

If you do not make changes during the October 15 – December 7 window, your current coverage generally continues into the next year. That sounds harmless, but it can create problems:

Your plan’s premiums, copays, or covered drugs may change for 2027 without your input.
A prescription you rely on may no longer be on your plan’s formulary.
Your preferred doctor or hospital may leave the plan’s network.

If you miss AEP and realize you need to make a change, your next options are more limited:

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MAOEP): January 1 – March 31, 2027. This only applies if you are currently in a Medicare Advantage plan. During MAOEP, you can switch to a different MA plan or return to Original Medicare (with Part D and potentially Medigap). You cannot use MAOEP to join an MA plan from Original Medicare.
General Enrollment Period (GEP): January 1 – March 31, 2027. This is for people who missed their Initial Enrollment Period and need to sign up for Part A and/or Part B. Coverage starts July 1.

The bottom line: do not count on a second chance. AEP is the broadest and simplest window to make changes.

What Changed in Medicare for 2026?

Every year, plan costs and structures shift. Here is what changed heading into the current enrollment cycle:

Medicare Advantage premiums dropped. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) projects the average monthly premium for MA plans fell to $14.00 in 2026, down $2.40 from the prior year.
Part D premiums also declined. The average monthly premium for standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans fell to $34.50, down $3.81.
IRMAA thresholds apply to higher earners. If your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds $109,000 (single) or $218,000 (married filing jointly), you will pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) on top of your Part B and Part D premiums. IRMAA uses a two-year lookback — your 2024 tax return determines your 2026 surcharges.

These changes mean that what was the right plan last year may not be the most cost-effective plan this year. A side-by-side comparison during AEP could save you hundreds of dollars annually.

How to Prepare Before October 15

Do not wait until December to start thinking about your Medicare coverage. Here is a simple preparation checklist:

Gather your current plan documents. Pull your Evidence of Coverage, Annual Notice of Changes, and current drug list.
Review your prescriptions. Check whether your current Part D or MA-PD plan still covers every medication you take at the same copay level.
Verify your providers. Confirm that your doctors, specialists, and hospital are still in your plan’s network for the coming year.
Compare total costs. Look beyond the monthly premium. Consider deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and the maximum out-of-pocket limit.
Decide if you need help. Medicare plan comparison is not something most people want to do alone. A licensed agent who works with multiple carriers can walk you through your options without charging you a fee.

Medicare Supplement Plans Deserve a Separate Look

If you are on Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans help cover out-of-pocket costs that Parts A and B do not — such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Medigap plans do not use networks, so you can see any doctor or specialist who accepts Medicare.

Medigap plans are not part of the AEP window. You can apply for a Medigap plan at any time during the year. However, your strongest protections come during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which starts the first month you have both Medicare Part A and Part B and you are 65 or older. During that window, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge more based on pre-existing conditions.

If you missed that initial window, you can still apply, but underwriting may apply.

Talk to a Licensed Agent Before the Deadline

Medicare plan choices are personal. The right plan depends on your prescriptions, your doctors, your budget, and how you use healthcare. A licensed agent at Trek Insurance Solutions can help you compare plans from multiple organizations — we work with 7 organizations offering 42 products across our service areas — so you find the coverage that fits your specific situation.

Trek Insurance Solutions is a Third-Party Marketing Organization (TPMO). We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

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