What is Medicare Open Enrollment (AEP)?
Annually the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has a time frame for you to make changes to your Medicare coverage – whether you have a Medicare Advantage plan (MAPD) or just a Prescription Drug plan (PDP) – with an effective date of January 1, 2026.
You are allowed to make those changes (if wanted/necessary) without any health underwriting and basically no questions asked as to why you are changing. The idea is to see how your current insurance has done and if you have had any changes in your life that MAY require to look at other options.
When is AEP?
Your open enrollment dates are from October 15th through December 7th each year. The plan’s effective date is January 1st.
How Do I Find Out What My Current Plan Will Look Like For 2026?
Generally speaking, you will receive from your current carrier what next year’s plan (that you are on) will be via mail by the end of September. Each carrier has a different way of sending it so be on the lookout!
This is all so confusing, where can I get help?
Yes, it is! While there are several places through Medicare (phone and online) dealing with an independent broker/agent locally is going to be a good bet. In the middle TN area, there are at least 8 carriers and over 40 plans in the MAPD arena and about that many in the PDP arena. Let me know if I can help you!
Ben Davis, CSA Select Pointe LLC 615-584-4946 www.selectpointebd.com
