Medicare Annual Enrollment Period 2026 (Oct 15 – Dec 7)
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs every year from October 15 to December 7. During this window you can switch Medicare Advantage or Part D plans, and changes take effect January 1. Joey Pannell helps Cullman residents review their plans and make changes at no cost.
What can I do during Annual Enrollment?
From October 15 to December 7 you can join or switch Medicare Advantage plans, join or switch Part D drug plans, or return to Original Medicare.
Changes you make during this window take effect January 1 of the following year. After December 7 your choices are generally locked in until the next window.
This is also the time to drop a plan that no longer fits and pick one that does. Joey reviews your current plan and the new options with you.
What cannot be changed during Annual Enrollment?
You generally cannot buy or switch a Medigap policy during Annual Enrollment, since Medigap has its own enrollment rules.
Medigap guaranteed issue rights and Open Enrollment follow different timing than Annual Enrollment. Joey explains when you can buy Medigap.
You also cannot change anything about Original Medicare itself during this window, only the private plans that work with it.
Why should I review my plan every year?
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can change their premiums, networks, formularies, and benefits every year, so a plan that fit last year may not fit this year.
Plans mail an Annual Notice of Change each fall explaining what is changing. Many people throw it away without reading it.
Joey reads it for you and compares the updated plan against the new options so you do not pay more or lose a drug you need.
What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
From January 1 to March 31 each year, people already in a Medicare Advantage plan can switch plans or return to Original Medicare, with the change taking effect the month after you make it.
You cannot join a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time during this window, only switch if you are already enrolled.
You also cannot add or drop Part D during this window, only switch Medicare Advantage plans. Joey clarifies what you can do.
How do I make changes during Annual Enrollment?
You can change plans through Medicare.gov, by calling the plan, or with the help of a licensed agent like Joey, who can compare your options and handle the paperwork.
The safest approach is to compare plans using your actual doctors and medications before you switch. Joey runs that comparison at no cost.
There is no obligation to enroll. You can review everything and decide whether a change even makes sense for the year ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Talk Through Your Options?
Joey can walk you through every choice at no cost to you — by phone, video, or at your kitchen table in Cullman.
This is an advertisement. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 77 products 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.