Medicare Open Enrollment: October 15 – December 7
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Key enrollment dates
- Medicare Annual Enrollment (AEP)
- October 15 – December 7
- Changes take effect January 1.
- ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment
- November 1 – January 15
- Extended window for late enrollment.
- January 1 effective date
- Apply by December 15
- Enroll or change plans by Dec 15 for coverage starting Jan 1.
- Late ACA enrollment
- December 16 – January 15
- Coverage starts February 1 instead.
Get free enrollment help before the deadline
Free review with a licensed Texas agent based in Katy. We'll tell you honestly if the ACA is still your best fit.
What you can do between October 15 and December 7
The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the one time each year most Medicare beneficiaries can change their coverage:
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare
- Join, switch or drop a Part D prescription drug plan
- Move from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
Why reviewing your plan every year matters
Plans change every January. Premiums, deductibles, drug formularies and doctor networks for next year are rarely identical to this year's. A plan that fit you well this year can quietly become expensive if your medications move tiers or your doctors leave the network.
Every fall, your plan mails an Annual Notice of Change. Bring it to a review and we will compare it against next year's options side by side.
Beat the deadline — book your free review
Free review with a licensed Texas agent based in Katy. We'll tell you honestly if the ACA is still your best fit.
The December 7 deadline is firm
Enrollments and changes must be submitted by December 7. Everything takes effect January 1. If you miss it, your current coverage renews as-is and you generally cannot change until next October — unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period or the January–March Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which allows one Advantage-plan change.
Frequently asked questions
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Related guides
Not sure which deadline applies to you? Let's look together.
Free review with a licensed Texas agent based in Katy. We'll tell you honestly if the ACA is still your best fit.
*Some ACA plans in some areas have a small one-time enrollment fee due to little or no broker compensation. Agency enrollment fees never apply to Medicare products.