Every fall, Medicare gives you one main chance to change your coverage for the year ahead. That window is the Annual Enrollment Period, and in 2026 it runs from October 15 to December 7. If you want to switch plans, add or change drug coverage, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage for 2027, this is the time.
Here is what you can change during the window, what you cannot, and how to decide before it closes.
When is the 2026 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, also called AEP, runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. Any change you make during this window takes effect January 1, 2027. It happens on the same dates every year, so you do not need a special reason to make a change. You can also make more than one change during the window, and your last choice before December 7 is the one that counts.
Your current plan mails an Annual Notice of Change by September 30, which lists what is changing about your coverage for 2027. That notice is the best place to start, because it tells you whether your plan still fits before you decide whether to act.
What can you change during AEP?
AEP is the one time each year when almost any Medicare coverage change is on the table. You can move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage in either direction, switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, and join, drop, or change a Part D prescription drug plan. Whatever you choose takes effect January 1, 2027.
The changes AEP allows are:
- Join a Medicare Advantage plan or drop one and return to Original Medicare.
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
- Join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan.
If you are weighing one plan against another, our guide to comparing North Carolina plans before Open Enrollment walks through how to line them up. You can also read more about Medicare Advantage plans in North Carolina and Medicare Part D coverage as you review your options.
What does AEP not cover?
AEP is powerful, but it has limits that catch people off guard. It is not when you first sign up for Medicare, that is your Initial Enrollment Period around your 65th birthday. And it does not create a guaranteed right to buy or switch a Medicare Supplement, also called Medigap, plan.
You can apply for a Medigap policy at any time of year, but outside certain protected windows, an insurer can use medical underwriting to decide whether to accept you and at what price. So if a Medigap change is your goal, AEP is not the window that guarantees it, and it is worth talking through your timing with an agent before you make a move.
What’s changing for 2027, including the $2,400 Part D cap?
As you review your options, remember that the plans themselves change too. For 2027, the headline is on the prescription side: what you pay out of pocket for covered Part D drugs is capped at about $2,400 for the year, and once you reach it, you pay nothing more for covered drugs. Premiums, drug lists, and provider networks can also shift.
This is exactly why the Annual Notice of Change matters, since it spells out these shifts for your plan. For a plain-language tour of the 2027 highlights, see what’s new for Medicare Advantage in 2027, and for the plan-by-plan detail in your county, see the 2027 Blue Medicare plan updates.
AEP vs. the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
AEP is not the only enrollment window, and the two often get confused. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 to March 31, 2027, but it is narrower. It is only for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan, and it lets them switch to a different Advantage plan or drop back to Original Medicare with a Part D plan.
If you have Original Medicare, the January to March window does not apply to you, so AEP is your window to act. If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan and have second thoughts after January 1, the Advantage Open Enrollment Period gives you one more chance to adjust.
How to get local help in North Carolina
You do not have to sort through this alone. A licensed North Carolina agent can review your current plan against your options, confirm that your doctors and medications are covered, and handle the paperwork, at no cost to you. The best time to start is before October 15, so you are ready the moment the window opens.
You can attend a Medicare seminar to learn the basics in a group setting, or request a free quote to get a personalized comparison for your county.
Expert insight
“This year’s AEP is a VERY important one. Many companies are terminating plans and dropping doctors and hospitals out of their network. This makes it so important for members to use this time wisely and make sure they select the right plan that works for their specific needs. The best way to do this is through an agent or agency like The Mair Agency.”
Talk with a local agent
The Annual Enrollment Period is short, and the right choice depends on your plan, your doctors, and your prescriptions. A licensed Mair Agency agent can compare your 2027 options side by side and make sure nothing is missed before December 7. Contact us to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Medicare AEP 2026 start?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period starts October 15, 2026, and runs through December 7, 2026. Changes you make take effect January 1, 2027.
What is AEP in Medicare?
AEP stands for the Annual Enrollment Period, the yearly window from October 15 to December 7 when you can change your Medicare coverage for the following year.
Can I switch Medicare Advantage plans during AEP?
Yes. During AEP you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, change your Part D drug coverage, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
Can I change my Medicare Supplement plan during AEP?
AEP does not guarantee a Medigap change. You can apply for a Medigap policy any time, but outside certain protected windows an insurer can use medical underwriting, so the timing is worth reviewing with an agent.
When do AEP changes take effect?
Any change you make during AEP takes effect January 1, 2027.
Is AEP the same as Medicare open enrollment?
People often call AEP Medicare open enrollment, but it is separate from the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31) and from Medigap enrollment, which has its own rules.