Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Is Almost Here: What to Do Before October 15

Mark your calendar: Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7 this year. During this window, anyone with Medicare can make changes to their health plan and prescription drug coverage for the coming year — switch Medicare Advantage plans, move between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare, or change your Part D prescription drug plan.

Any changes you make take effect January 1. Outside of AEP, most people are locked into their current plan until the next enrollment window, so this is the time to make sure your coverage still fits.

Why you shouldn't just "stay put"

It's tempting to assume that if your plan worked fine last year, it'll work fine again — but plans change every year, even if you don't. Premiums, copays, covered medications, and provider networks can all shift from one year to the next. A plan that was a great fit in January could look very different by the time your renewal notice shows up.

A few things worth double-checking before AEP opens:

Has your health changed? New diagnoses, new prescriptions, or a new specialist you're seeing regularly can all change what "the right plan" looks like for you.

Did you get a notice from your current plan? Insurers send an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) every fall outlining what's different for the coming year. It's easy to set aside, but it's worth an actual read — or a conversation where I walk through it with you.

Are your medications still covered, and at what cost? Drug formularies change yearly. A medication that was affordable last year could move to a different tier.

Are your doctors still in-network? Provider networks shift too, sometimes without much notice.

What to do between now and October 15

You don't have to wait until the enrollment window opens to start thinking this through. Gather your current plan's ANOC if you've received one, make a list of your current medications and doctors, and jot down anything that's changed health-wise since last year. That way, once AEP opens, we can move quickly instead of scrambling.

Comparing Medicare Advantage and Part D options on your own can be overwhelming — there are a lot of plans, and the differences aren't always obvious from the outside. That's exactly the kind of thing I help clients sort through every fall, plan by plan, based on your specific medications, doctors, and budget.

Let's get ahead of it

If you'd like to review your options before things get busy, reach out now and we can get a head start once plan details for next year are available. No pressure, no obligation — just a clear look at whether your current coverage still makes sense.

Get in touch: Call or text 812-551-4630, email angelajohnson@premierinssolutions.com, or visit www.premierinssolutions.com.