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MEDICARE

Medicare open enrollment: Everything you need to know

Medicare open enrollment is from 15 October to 7 December each year. During this seven-week period, you can make changes to your Medicare coverage.

Oliver Povey
Oliver PoveyOlabolob
Update:
The Biden adminstration has announced the ten drugs that will see prices drop as a part of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program.
JONATHAN ERNSTREUTERS

Medicare open enrollment is a time frame during which people who access Medicare can make changes to their coverage. This period allows Medicare beneficiaries to review and modify their healthcare plans to ensure they are getting the coverage that best meets their needs.

During Medicare open enrollment, you can do the following:

  • You can switch from Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) to a Medicare Advantage plan or vice versa.
  • If you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different one.
  • If you have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, you can switch to a different one.
  • If you’re currently on Original Medicare, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
  • If you don’t have prescription drug coverage, you can enroll in a Medicare Part D plan.
     

You can make the changes online or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

The important dates for Medicare

15 October: Open Enrollment begins, when everyone with Medicare can switch their health and drug plans for the next year.

7 December: Open Enrollment ends and your enrollment request must be received by the plan that you have chosen. For most this is the last day that you can change your Medicare coverage.

1 January: If you’ve chosen to switch your Medicare plan, the new coverage begins 1 January. If you don’t switch plans, any changes to coverage, benefits, or costs that have been announced will take effect at the start of the year.

Between 1 January and 31 March: For those in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you have the option to switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan or to Original Medicare during this period. Your Medicare Advantage Plan can be with or without drug coverage. For those who opt to change to Original Medicare, you’ll also have the option to join a Medicare drug plan.

The new coverage will begin the first day of the month after your enrollment form is received by the plan.

In certain cases, if you qualify, you may be able to make other changes in a Special Enrollment Period.