Medicare Annual Enrollment Period 2026: What Washington Residents Need to Know

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period 2026: What You Need to Know

Every fall, Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) gives anyone already enrolled in Medicare a chance to review their coverage and make changes for the year ahead. Here's what it is, what you can change, common mistakes to avoid, and why it's worth paying attention to even if you're happy with your current plan.

What Is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, sometimes called the Fall Open Enrollment Period, is a set window each year during which anyone enrolled in Medicare can make changes to their coverage without needing a special qualifying event. It's the one enrollment window that applies broadly to nearly everyone on Medicare, which is part of why it gets so much attention every fall. Unlike some of Medicare's other enrollment periods, which only open up for people in specific situations, like turning 65 or losing employer coverage, AEP is open to the entire Medicare population every single year, which makes it the most universally relevant window on the calendar.

When Is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs each year from October 15 through December 7. Any changes you make take effect January 1 of the following year. That means whatever plan you're enrolled in as of December 31 is the plan you'll have on January 1, so if you're planning to make a change, it needs to be finalized before the window closes on December 7.

It's worth marking this window on your calendar every year, even if you don't think you'll need it. Plenty of people who end up making a change during AEP didn't go in planning to switch anything; they simply took the opportunity to review their coverage and discovered something worth adjusting.

What Can You Change During AEP?

During the Annual Enrollment Period, you have several options for adjusting your Medicare coverage:

Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan. If you're currently on Original Medicare and want the additional benefits or different cost structure that a Medicare Advantage plan can offer, AEP is one of the windows where you can make that move.

Switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare. The reverse is also true. If a Medicare Advantage plan isn't working out, whether because of network changes, cost, or simply wanting the flexibility of Original Medicare, AEP lets you switch back.

Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to a different one. If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan but want to compare it against other options available in your area, whether for cost, benefits, or provider network reasons, this is the window to do it.

Switch from one Part D prescription drug plan to a different one. Prescription drug plans can change their covered medications and costs from year to year, so this is a common reason people use AEP even when they're happy with their medical coverage otherwise.

Enroll in a Part D plan for the first time. If you didn't previously have prescription drug coverage and want to add it, AEP is one of the windows available to do so.

Why Review Your Coverage Every Year, Even If You're Happy With It

Plans change even when your life doesn't. Provider networks, prescription drug formularies, and out-of-pocket costs can all shift from one year to the next, sometimes significantly. A plan that fit you perfectly this year isn't guaranteed to fit the same way next year. A doctor who was in-network last year might be out of network this year. A medication that was covered at a low copay might move to a higher tier. A plan's overall costs might simply go up.

That's the idea behind an annual plan review: catching a change before it catches you, rather than finding out in January that your pharmacy or doctor is no longer in network, or that a prescription you rely on suddenly costs significantly more than it did the year before. Every fall, Medicare plans send out an Annual Notice of Change document to their members, which outlines exactly what's changing about the plan for the coming year. It's easy to set that notice aside without reading it closely, but it's genuinely worth a careful look, or a conversation with an agent who can help interpret it, before AEP closes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During AEP

A few patterns show up again and again during Annual Enrollment Period, and they're worth watching for:

Assuming "no news is good news." Not receiving a notice that something changed isn't the same as confirming nothing changed. It's worth actively checking your plan's coverage each year rather than assuming silence means everything is the same.

Waiting until the last few days. AEP runs for about seven weeks, but a large share of activity tends to cluster right before the December 7 deadline. Reviewing your coverage earlier in the window gives you more time to ask questions, compare options thoughtfully, and avoid a rushed decision.

Choosing a plan based on premium alone. A lower monthly premium doesn't always mean lower total costs. Copays, deductibles, and whether your specific doctors and prescriptions are covered can matter more to your actual out-of-pocket spending than the premium by itself.

Not checking whether your prescriptions are still covered at the same tier. Formularies change every year, and a plan that covered your medications affordably last year might handle them differently this year.

Not asking for help when the options feel overwhelming. With multiple carriers and plan types available in most of Washington, it's easy to feel like there are too many options to sort through alone, which is exactly the kind of situation a licensed local agent is built to help with.

How to Prepare for Your AEP Review

Going into your annual review a little prepared can make the whole process faster and less stressful. It helps to have your current plan's Annual Notice of Change on hand, along with an up-to-date list of your doctors and prescriptions. If anything has changed in your health situation over the past year, whether a new diagnosis, a new medication, or a change in which specialists you see, that's worth noting too, since it can affect which plan makes the most sense going forward.

AEP Isn't the Only Medicare Enrollment Window

The Annual Enrollment Period is the one most people have heard of, but it isn't the only one. If you're new to Medicare, still working past 65, or experiencing a qualifying life change, a different window may apply to you. There's also the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which runs January 1 through March 31 and is available specifically to people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan who want to make a limited switch. Our Medicare Enrollment Periods page breaks down each one in more detail, including which situations qualify for a Special Enrollment Period outside the standard windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period this year? The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7 every year. Changes made during this window take effect January 1.

Do I have to do anything during AEP if I'm happy with my current plan? Not necessarily, but it's worth reviewing your coverage anyway, since plan details like provider networks and drug formularies can change year to year even if you don't.

What's the difference between the Annual Enrollment Period and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period? The Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7) is open to anyone on Medicare and allows the widest range of changes. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1–March 31) is only for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan who want to switch plans or return to Original Medicare.

Can an agent help me review my plan before AEP ends? Yes. A licensed Washington Medicare agent can review your current plan, check whether your doctors and prescriptions are still covered, and walk you through whether switching makes sense for your situation.

What happens if I miss the December 7 deadline? If you miss AEP, you'll generally need to wait for the next applicable enrollment window, such as the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period in the new year, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a specific life event. That's part of why it's worth reviewing your coverage before the window closes rather than after.

Where can I find my plan's Annual Notice of Change? Your current Medicare plan mails an Annual Notice of Change document to you each fall, typically in September, outlining what's changing about your plan for the following year. If you can't find yours, your plan or a licensed agent can help you access it.

Talk With a Washington Medicare Agent Before AEP Ends

AEP is the busiest time of year for Medicare questions, so it's worth reaching out sooner rather than later. Schedule a conversation with one of our licensed Washington Medicare agents, and we'll help you review your options before December 7.

Advantage Insurance Benefits is an independent insurance agency and does not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for information about all of your options. This website is for educational purposes and is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.