Medicare Important Dates
September & October - Review & Compare
- Review: Your plan may change. Review any notices from your plan about changes for next year.
- Compare: Visit Medicare.gov/plan-compare to find and compare plans that meet your needs.
October 15 - Annual Election Period
- This is the one time of year when everyone with Medicare can make changes to their health and drug plans for the next year.
- Decide: October 15th is the first day you can change your Medicare coverage for the year.
December 7 - Annual Election Period Ends
- December 7th is the last day you can change your Medicare coverage for next year. The plan has to receive your enrollment request (applications) by December 7th.
January 1 - Coverage Begins
- Your new coverage begins January 1st if you switch to a new plan. If you stay with the same plan, any changes to coverage, benefits, or costs for the new year will begin on January 1st.
Making changes to your coverage after January 1st
- Between January 1st - March 31st, you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can leave your plan and switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage, or to Original Medicare. If you switch to Original Medicare, you'll also have the option to join a Medicare drug plan. Your coverage will begin the first day of the month after the plan gets you enrollment form. In certain cases, you may be able to make other changes if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.