It’s AEP Season: What You Need to Know About Medicare’s Most Important Time of Year

Every year from October 15 through December 7, Medicare beneficiaries have the opportunity to review, compare, and change their coverage. This period—known as the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)—is one of the most important windows of the year for anyone enrolled in Medicare.

Whether you’re considering switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, enrolling in a new prescription drug plan, or simply reviewing your current coverage, understanding how AEP works can help you make confident and informed choices.

What Is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)?

The Annual Enrollment Period is the time when you can make changes to your Medicare coverage for the upcoming year. Any changes you make during AEP take effect on January 1 of the following year.

During this time, you can:

• Switch from Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan

• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another

• Drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare

• Enroll in, change, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan

Even if you’re satisfied with your current plan, it’s smart to review your options—plan benefits, drug formularies, and provider networks can change each year.

Why Reviewing Your Coverage Matters

Many people assume that keeping their current plan is easiest—but that can sometimes be a costly mistake.

Each year, insurance companies update their plans, adjusting things like:

• Premiums and copays

• Prescription drug coverage (formulary changes)

• Provider networks (which doctors or hospitals are covered)

• Added benefits like dental, vision, hearing, or fitness perks

Taking the time to review these updates ensures you’re not paying more than necessary or losing access to preferred doctors and medications.

Medicare Advantage and AEP: A Popular Choice

For many, AEP is the perfect time to explore Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. These are all-in-one plans offered by private insurers that combine hospital (Part A), medical (Part B), and often prescription drug coverage (Part D)—plus extra benefits Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as dental, vision, hearing, or even transportation and meal support.

During AEP, you can compare different Medicare Advantage plans side-by-side to find one that better fits your health needs, lifestyle, and budget.

Key Factors to Consider When Reviewing Your Plan

Before making any decisions, take time to evaluate:

• Your Healthcare Needs: Have your prescriptions, doctors, or health conditions changed this year?

• Your Budget: Compare monthly premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums.

• Provider Access: Are your preferred doctors and hospitals still in-network?

• Extra Benefits: Do you use dental, vision, or hearing coverage? Are those benefits included or improved in your plan?

  
  

What Happens If You Don’t Make Changes?

If you don’t make any updates during AEP, your current plan will automatically renew for the next year (as long as it’s still offered). However, that doesn’t mean the plan’s costs or benefits will stay the same—so a quick annual review can prevent unexpected surprises come January.

How to Get Help During AEP - You call me! 774-200-8505

Medicare can be confusing, especially with so many plan choices and yearly updates. Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate it alone. A licensed Medicare professional can help you:

• Compare plan options based on your doctors, prescriptions, and preferences

• Understand any changes to your current plan

• Ensure you’re getting the most out of your Medicare benefits

  
  

Final Thoughts

The Annual Enrollment Period is your opportunity to make sure your Medicare coverage still fits your health and financial needs. Even if you’ve been enrolled for years, taking a few minutes to review your plan could save you money and help you access better care.

If you have questions or want a personalized plan review this AEP, don’t hesitate to reach out to a knowledgeable Medicare professional who can help you make sense of your options.