Last Updated: September 24, 2026
Every fall, Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7, and changes made during that window take effect January 1. It is the one time each year most people can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Advantage plans, or pick a new Part D drug plan without a special reason. Plans change their premiums, drug lists, and networks every year, so staying put without looking can quietly cost hundreds of dollars. This checklist breaks the process into manageable steps you can finish over two or three sittings.
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Before October 15: Gather Your Information
Read the Annual Notice of Change
Plans mail an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) by the end of September. It lists next year’s premium, deductible, copays, and changes to the drug formulary and provider network. Look first at the pages on drugs and doctors, because those changes affect you most directly.
Make a current medication list
Write down every prescription with exact name, dose, and how often you fill it. Include inhalers, insulin, and eye drops, which are easy to forget and often expensive.
List your doctors, hospitals, and pharmacy
Include specialists you see once a year. If you travel or spend winters in another state, note that as well, since many Advantage plans have regional networks.
The Core Checklist
| Item to check | Why it matters | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | Can rise by $10-$50+ per month year to year | ANOC, Medicare Plan Finder |
| Drug formulary and tiers | A drug moved up a tier can double your cost | Plan formulary document |
| Preferred pharmacies | Copays can differ 2x between preferred and standard | Plan pharmacy directory |
| Provider network | Out-of-network visits may not be covered in HMOs | Plan provider directory, call your doctor |
| Maximum out-of-pocket (Advantage) | Caps your spending on covered medical care | Summary of Benefits |
| Prior authorization rules | Affects how quickly you get scans, surgery, DME | Evidence of Coverage |
| Extra benefits | Dental, vision, hearing allowances vary widely | Summary of Benefits |
Compare Plans the Right Way
Use the Medicare Plan Finder with your drug list
Enter your exact medications and pharmacy on Medicare.gov. The tool estimates total annual cost, premium plus drug costs, which is a better comparison number than premium alone. A $0 premium plan can end up costing more than a $40 premium plan if your drugs sit on higher tiers.
Call your doctors’ offices
Online directories are not always current. Ask the billing office directly whether they will be in network with a specific plan next year.
Look at the worst-case year
Ask yourself what a hospitalization or a new diagnosis would cost under each plan. Advantage plans have an out-of-pocket maximum; Original Medicare does not, unless paired with a Medigap policy.
Decisions Specific to Your Situation
If you have Original Medicare plus Medigap
Open Enrollment lets you change your Part D plan. It does not guarantee you can switch Medigap policies without medical underwriting in most states, so be cautious before dropping a Medigap plan to try Advantage.
If you have Medicare Advantage
Compare your current plan with at least two alternatives in your county. If you have a chronic condition, check whether a Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan is available.
If your income is limited
Check eligibility for Extra Help, which lowers Part D costs, and Medicare Savings Programs, which can pay Part B premiums. You can apply any time, not only during Open Enrollment.
After You Decide
Enroll through Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or directly with the plan. Enrolling in a new plan automatically ends the old one for the same coverage type, so you usually do not need to cancel separately. Save the confirmation number, and watch for a new member card in December. If something looks wrong in January, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31 allows one change for people already in an Advantage plan.
Watch out for pressure tactics
Legitimate agents do not call uninvited asking for your Medicare number. Never share it with someone who contacts you first, and be wary of mailers designed to look like government notices.
FAQ
What happens if I do nothing during Open Enrollment?
In most cases your current plan renews automatically with next year’s terms. If your plan is discontinued, you will receive a notice and a special enrollment period to choose a new one.
Can I get free help comparing plans?
Yes. Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offering free, unbiased one-on-one counseling. They do not sell plans and have no commission incentive.
Bottom Line
Open Enrollment rewards the people who actually look. Read your Annual Notice of Change, run your drug list through Plan Finder, confirm your doctors by phone, and compare total yearly cost rather than premium alone. Two or three focused hours in October can prevent a year of surprise bills.
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