Updated for plan year 2026 on 2026-07-25
What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period generally lets people already in a Medicare Advantage plan switch Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare during the start of the year.
What to check before you choose
Medicare choices depend on your dates, county, prescriptions, doctors, pharmacies, and how much risk you are comfortable carrying during the year.
- Confirm the beneficiary's Medicare effective dates, county, prescriptions, doctors, and coverage goals.
- Separate general education from plan-specific recommendations and document consent before marketing discussions.
- Check current plan-year rules, premiums, formularies, pharmacy pricing, networks, and enrollment-window eligibility.