This is the window in which anyone with Medicare can join, drop or switch a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D drug plan. Your plan must receive your request by December 7. If you do nothing, your current plan generally rolls over into 2027 with whatever changes it made, which is why the Annual Notice of Change matters.
| Window | Dates | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Enrollment | Oct 15 – Dec 7, 2026 | Anyone with Medicare |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment | Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2027 | Only people already in a Medicare Advantage plan |
| Special Enrollment Period | Varies | People who move, lose coverage, or whose plan is discontinued |
How it works
During Annual Enrollment you can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage in either direction, change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, and join, drop or change a Part D drug plan. You can make as many changes as you like inside the window; the last one you make before December 7 is the one that takes effect.
What changes it
Missing December 7 does not leave you without coverage, but it does narrow your options sharply. If you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan you get a second window from January 1 to March 31 to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare. If you are in Original Medicare with a stand-alone drug plan, that second window does not apply to you.
What to do next
Find the Annual Notice of Change your plan sent by September 30 and look at four lines: the monthly premium, the drug deductible, the in-network out-of-pocket maximum, and whether the plan is being discontinued. If any of those moved in a way you do not like, you have until December 7 to do something about it.
Read the full guide: The full South Florida Annual Enrollment guide
Related questions
What if I miss December 7?
Your current plan generally continues. If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan you get another window from January 1 to March 31. Otherwise you usually wait until the next Annual Enrollment.
When does the coverage I choose start?
January 1, 2027, for any change made during Annual Enrollment.
Can I change my mind after I enroll?
Yes, as long as it is still before December 7. The last change you make is the one that takes effect.
Sources
- Joining a plan — enrollment periods — Medicare.gov (CMS) · read 2026-10-13
This page explains published rules and figures, with the source for each one. It is not advice about your own situation.