October 15 – December 7
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) Guide
AEP is your annual window to review and change your Medicare coverage. Here's everything you need to know — what you can do, what you can't, and how to make the most of your 54-day window.
AEP·Upcoming Oct 15 – Dec 7
AEP (Annual Enrollment Period)·Medicare Advantage & Part D·Upcoming Oct 15 – Dec 7
What Is the Annual Enrollment Period?
The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) — also called Open Enrollment — runs from October 15 through December 7 every year. During this window, anyone enrolled in Medicare can review their current coverage and make changes that take effect on January 1st of the following year.
AEP is specifically for people who are already enrolled in Medicare. It is different from the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP — for people turning 65) and the Open Enrollment Period (OEP — January 1 through March 31, for switching MA plans only). If you miss AEP without a qualifying life event, you generally must wait until the following October to make changes.
What You CAN Do During AEP
Any Medicare beneficiary can make these changes during AEP.
Switch Medicare Advantage Plans
Move from one Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan to another — even if you're switching carriers, counties, or plan types.
Switch Between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare
Drop your MA plan and return to Original Medicare (with or without a standalone Part D drug plan), or move from Original Medicare into an Advantage plan.
Change, Add, or Drop a Part D Plan
Switch your standalone prescription drug plan, add Part D coverage for the first time, or drop it if you have creditable coverage elsewhere.
What You CANNOT Do During AEP
Common misconceptions — these require a different enrollment window.
Enroll in Medicare Part B for the First Time
Part B enrollment uses a different window — your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), Special Enrollment Period (SEP), or the General Enrollment Period (Jan 1 – Mar 31). AEP is not the right window for first-time Part B enrollment.
Buy a Medigap Policy Without Underwriting
Outside of guaranteed-issue situations (like losing employer coverage), insurers can use medical underwriting to price or deny Medigap policies. AEP does not grant guaranteed issue rights for Medigap.
Key Dates
CMS Previews Plans
Medicare Advantage and Part D insurers submit their 2026 benefit structures. CMS previews plan data — advisors begin reviewing.
AEP Opens
Annual Enrollment Period begins. You can start comparing plans and enrolling. Changes are NOT effective yet.
AEP Closes
Last day to submit enrollment changes. Missing this deadline means waiting until the following AEP (or a qualifying SEP).
Changes Effective
Your new plan begins January 1st. Your new premium, drug coverage, and network go into effect on this date.
Why You Should Review Every Year
Many people stay in the same plan year after year — but that can cost you.
- Your plan may change benefits, premiums, copays, or drug formulary from one year to the next — without your action, you may stay in a plan that no longer fits
- Your health, medications, or preferred doctors may have changed since you last enrolled
- New plans may enter your county — sometimes offering better benefits at lower cost
- Carrier networks in New Jersey shift annually — your current doctor may no longer be in-network
- Subsidy amounts for ACA plans change annually based on income and benchmark plan pricing
How Yumi Health Helps During AEP
Licensed NJ advisors. No cost to you. No pressure.
Full Annual Plan Review
We pull your current plan, compare it against all available 2026 options in your county, and give you a side-by-side recommendation — free.
Doctor & Drug Matching
We cross-reference your preferred doctors and current medications against plan formularies and networks so you don't get surprised after you enroll.
No Pressure, No Upsell
Our advisors are paid by carriers — not by you — and are licensed in New Jersey. We recommend what's best for you, not what pays us more.
Get Your Free AEP Review
A licensed NJ advisor will walk you through your options — no obligation, no jargon.