What If You Miss the December 7 Deadline?
If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and miss the Annual Enrollment Period, you may still have an opportunity to make changes during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 through March 31. During this window, people who already have a Medicare Advantage Plan can switch to another Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.
However, this secondary enrollment period is more limited than the fall open enrollment, and waiting could mean you’re stuck with coverage that doesn’t meet your needs for several months.
Conclusion
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period ending December 7 represents your primary opportunity each year to ensure your health coverage aligns with your needs and budget. With changes to premiums, drug formularies, and provider networks happening every year, taking time to review your options is essential—even if you’ve been satisfied with your current plan.
Use the tools available through Medicare.gov, review your Annual Notice of Change carefully, and don’t wait until the last minute to make decisions. Your health coverage choices affect not only your wallet but also your access to the care and medications you need throughout the coming year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Medicare Open Enrollment (the Annual Enrollment Period) runs from October 15 through December 7 every year. These dates are set by federal law and do not change. Any coverage changes you make take effect January 1 of the following year.
If you take no action by December 7, you will automatically be enrolled in your current plan’s version for the upcoming year. This means any changes your plan has made—to premiums, drug formularies, or provider networks—will apply to your coverage.
No. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies are not part of the Annual Enrollment Period and follow their own rules. Your Medigap open enrollment period is the six months beginning the first day of the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B. Outside of that window, insurers can use medical underwriting.
The standard monthly Medicare Part B premium for 2026 is $202.90, an increase of $17.90 from $185.00 in 2025. Higher-income beneficiaries may pay more due to income-related monthly adjustment amounts (IRMAA).
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 through March 31. During this time, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare and join a Part D plan.
The official Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov allows you to compare all Medicare Advantage and Part D plans available in your area. You can enter your medications, preferred pharmacy, and doctors to see estimated annual costs and check provider networks.
