The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which ran from October 15th through December 7th, has now ended. All enrollment requests received by the deadline are being processed, and your 2026 coverage selections will officially begin on January 1, 2026.
If you are satisfied with the plan you chose or the one you were automatically re-enrolled into, you do not need to take any further action.
However, if you missed the deadline, or if you enroll in your new Medicare Advantage plan on January 1st and realize it doesn’t meet your needs, you still have options to make changes. Your next opportunities fall into two distinct, federally regulated enrollment windows:
This period is specifically for beneficiaries already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan.
When is it? January 1st through March 31st every year.
What can you do?
Switch from your current Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage).
Switch from your Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare (Parts A and B). If you choose this option, you are also able to join a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D).
The Limit: You can only use the MAOEP one time during the January 1 to March 31 window.
SEPs allow beneficiaries to make changes outside of the AEP if a specific, qualifying life event occurs. These are not open to everyone and are tied to a strict time frame after the event.
Common events that may qualify you for an SEP include:
You move outside of your plan’s service area.
You lose other health coverage (like employer group coverage).
You qualify for Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy) to pay for Part D costs.
You recently moved into, currently live in, or recently left an institution (like a nursing home or skilled nursing facility).
Crucial Note: If you are dual-eligible (qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid), you have a continuous Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to switch plans once per calendar quarter during the first nine months of the year (January-September).
The rules governing the MAOEP and the various Special Enrollment Periods are complex. There is no one-size-fits-all answer in Medicare.
Your eligibility for an SEP depends entirely on the specific date, nature, and documentation of your qualifying event. Furthermore, your best choice of coverage depends on your prescriptions, doctors, and budget.
This is why it is essential to speak with a licensed, local agent. We take the time to review your unique situation, confirm your eligibility for any available enrollment period, and discuss the plan options that specifically meet your needs today.
Don’t guess what your next step should be. Contact us for a personalized review of your post-AEP options.
Disclaimer (Required for Medicare Compliance): We are a Third-Party Marketing Organization (TPMO). We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.