Medicare Open Enrollment Begins With Tight Deadline for Plan Changes

October 18, 2026 - 05:26

Medicare open enrollment started Thursday, Oct. 15, giving beneficiaries less than two months to compare and potentially change their plans before the Dec. 7 deadline.

The annual window allows people enrolled in Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans to review their current coverage and switch to a different option for the coming year. Plans frequently adjust premiums, copays, and drug formularies, so coverage that worked well in one year may no longer be the best fit the next.

Beneficiaries should watch for the Annual Notice of Change, a document plans send each fall that outlines what will be different in the year ahead. Comparing that notice against other available plans can reveal savings on premiums or prescription costs that are easy to miss.

Experts also recommend checking whether preferred doctors and pharmacies remain in a plan's network, since provider lists can shift between years. Those who take brand-name medications should verify that their drugs stay on the formulary and confirm any prior authorization requirements.

Enrollment can be completed online, by phone, or with help from a local counselor. People who are satisfied with their current coverage and take no action will generally remain in their existing plan, but that automatic renewal may come with higher costs if the plan's terms have changed.