Fall Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 and is the time of year when you can make certain changes to your Medicare coverage. The last change you make will take effect on January 1. Take action during Fall Open Enrollment to make sure your coverage will meet your needs in 2026.
Making changes during Fall Open Enrollment
The changes you can make include:
- Joining a new Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D prescription drug plan
- Switching from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
- Switching from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare (with or without a Part D plan)
Review your coverage for 2026
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans usually change each year. Make sure that your drugs will be covered next year and that your providers and pharmacies will still be in the plan’s network.
- Original Medicare: Visit www.Medicare.gov or read the 2026 Medicare & You handbook to learn about Medicare’s benefits for the upcoming year.
- Medicare Advantage or Part D plan: Read your plan’s Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and Evidence of Coverage (EOC).
Considerations when choosing a new plan
- Ask yourself the following questions before choosing a Part D drug plan:
- Does the plan cover all the medications I take?
- Does the plan have restrictions on my drugs?
- How much will I pay for monthly premiums and the annual deductible?
- How much will I pay at the pharmacy (copay/coinsurance) for each drug I take?
- Is my pharmacy in the plans’ preferred network? Can I fill my prescription by mail order?
- What is the plan’s star rating?
- If I have other drug coverage, will the Medicare drug plan work with this coverage?
- Ask yourself the following additional questions before choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan:
- How much are the premiums, deductible, and coinsurance/copay amounts?
- What is the annual maximum out-of-pocket cost for the plan?
- What service area does the plan cover?
- Are my doctors and hospitals in the plan’s network?
- What are the rules I must follow to access health care services and my drugs?
- Does the plan cover additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare?
- What is the plan’s star rating?
- Will this plan affect any additional coverage I may have?
Contact Information
1-800-386-6160 (TTY 771) | medicare@asrconnect.com | Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM PT
Disclaimer
This content was created and copyrighted by Medicare Rights Center ©2025. Medicare Rights Center is a national, nonprofit consumer service organization that works to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities. These material are presented here with support from American Senior Resources (ASR) and may not be distributed, modified or edited without Medicare Rights’ consent.