medicare open enrollment 2026
Medicare Open Enrollment for 2026 coverage runs from October 15, 2025, through December 7, 2025, with new coverage starting January 1, 2026. During this window, most people with Medicare can switch plans, join, or drop Medicare Advantage and Part D drug coverage for the 2026 plan year.
Quick Scoop
- 2026 open enrollment dates
- October 15, 2025 ā December 7, 2025 (standard Medicare Open Enrollment / Annual Election Period).
* Any changes you make during this time take effect January 1, 2026.
- What you can do in this period
* Switch between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan.
* Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
* Join, switch, or drop a standalone Part D prescription drug plan.
- Other 2026-related windows (beyond the main fall period)
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 ā March 31, 2026, lets people already in a Medicare Advantage plan switch to a different MA plan or go back to Original Medicare (often with a chance to join a Part D plan).
* General Enrollment Period for Part A/B: January 1 ā March 31, 2026, with coverage starting the first of the month after enrollment, for people who missed their initial enrollment.
Key 2026 Changes People Are Watching
- Federal officials project that average monthly premiums for Medicare Advantage plans in 2026 will be around 14 dollars, slightly lower than the prior year.
- Average premiums for standalone Part D prescription drug plans are projected around 34.50 dollars per month in 2026, also a modest decrease compared with 2025.
- CMS fact sheets and advocacy groups highlight that plan costs, benefits, and drug formularies can change significantly year to year, so reviewing the 2026 plan materials (like the Medicare Handbook and plan āEvidence of Coverageā) is especially important this fall.
What People Are Saying Online
- Advocacy organizations and Medicare-help nonprofits stress that open enrollment for 2026 is a prime time to doubleācheck whether your doctors, hospitals, and drugs will still be covered next year, because networks and formularies can shift even if premiums look stable.
- Consumerāfocused videos and articles point out some confusion and glitches in newer online planācomparison tools, advising people to use those tools but verify results directly with plans or providers before making final choices.
Simple Planning Checklist for 2026
- List your current drugs, preferred pharmacies, and doctors before shopping.
- Compare 2026 premiums, deductibles, copays, and maximum outāofāpocket limits for any plan you are considering.
- Check whether your medications remain on the planās formulary at a reasonable tier and whether your providers stay inānetwork for 2026.
- If you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan and want a ādoāover,ā remember the January 1 ā March 31, 2026 Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment window.
Quick HTML Table of 2026 Medicare Enrollment Windows
| Enrollment window | Dates for 2026 coverage | What you can do | When changes start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Medicare Open Enrollment (Annual Election Period) | Oct 15, 2025 ā Dec 7, 2025[][][] | Switch between Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage; join/switch/drop Part D; change Medicare Advantage plans[][] | Jan 1, 2026[][][] |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment | Jan 1, 2026 ā Mar 31, 2026[] | People already in Medicare Advantage can switch MA plans or return to Original Medicare (often with Part D change opportunity)[] | Month after enrollment is submitted[] |
| General Enrollment (Part A/B, if missed earlier) | Jan 1, 2026 ā Mar 31, 2026[] | Sign up for Part A and/or Part B if you missed your initial enrollment and donāt qualify for a Special Enrollment Period[] | First of the month after enrollment[] |
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
