Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. This is your opportunity to switch Medicare Advantage plans, move from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, return from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, or add, drop, or change a Part D prescription drug plan. Changes made during Annual Enrollment generally take effect January 1.
One important clarification: Annual Enrollment does not automatically give you the right to change to a different Medicare Supplement policy without medical underwriting. Cilella Insurance helps clients in Morgantown, West Virginia, and across 14 licensed states compare their available options and make informed Medicare decisions at no cost.
Step 1: Gather Your Current Plan Information
Before comparing plans, collect the information you already have. Start with your Medicare card, your current plan member ID card, and your Annual Notice of Change. The Annual Notice of Change, often called the ANOC, explains how your current plan’s costs and benefits will change for the coming year.
Make a complete list of your prescriptions, including each medication name, dosage, and how often you take it. Write down your preferred pharmacy as well. If you use mail-order prescriptions, include that information too.
Finally, list the doctors, specialists, hospitals, and other providers you want to keep. This gives you a clear starting point for comparing coverage instead of choosing a plan based only on a monthly premium or advertisement.
Step 2: Identify What’s Changed
Even if your Medicare plan worked well this year, it may not be the best fit next year. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can change their premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, provider networks, pharmacy networks, drug formularies, and extra benefits every year.
Pay special attention to your prescription drugs. A medication may still be covered but move to a different tier, have a new prior authorization requirement, or cost more at your preferred pharmacy. Those changes can make a major difference in your total healthcare spending.
If you have a Medicare Advantage
plan, check whether your doctors, specialists, and hospitals are still in the network. Plan availability varies by county, so a plan available in Monongalia County, West Virginia, may not be available—or may have a different network—in another county or state we serve.
Step 3: Understand What You Can Change During AEP
Annual Enrollment gives you several ways to adjust your Medicare coverage. During this period, you can:
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
- Move from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare.
- Join, change, or drop a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan.
- Choose a Medicare Advantage plan with or without drug coverage, when available.
If you return to Original Medicare, you may want a separate Part D plan and may also consider a Medicare Supplement policy. However, applying for Medicare Supplements
can involve medical underwriting unless you are in your personal Medigap Open Enrollment Period or qualify for a guaranteed-issue right.
That is why it is important to review the full transition before leaving a Medicare Advantage plan. Do not cancel current coverage until you understand what will replace it and when the new coverage will begin.
Step 4: Compare Your Options—and What to Watch For
The lowest premium is not always the lowest total cost. A plan with a $0 monthly premium may have higher specialist copays, hospital copays, prescription costs, or out-of-network expenses. Another plan may cost more each month but better match your providers and medications.
When comparing plans, look at:
- Monthly premiums and annual deductibles.
- Primary-care, specialist, emergency room, and hospital costs.
- Maximum out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-covered services.
- Provider networks and referral requirements.
- Prior authorization rules for certain services or medications.
- Prescription drug formulary coverage and drug tiers.
- Preferred pharmacy pricing and mail-order options.
- Dental, vision, hearing, transportation, and over-the-counter benefits.
For many people, the prescription review is one of the most important parts of Annual Enrollment. Our review of Prescription Drug Plans
focuses on your actual medications and pharmacies, not just a plan’s advertised premium.
Step 5: Make the Switch—and Know What Happens Next
Once you select a new plan, submit your enrollment request before December 7. Your new coverage generally begins January 1. Keep any confirmation numbers, enrollment records, letters, and emails related to the change.
Before your new plan becomes effective, watch for your member ID card, plan materials, provider directory, drug formulary, and pharmacy information. If you take regular medications, make sure you understand where and how to fill prescriptions under your new plan.
If you are switching from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare, confirm whether you need to enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan and whether a Medicare Supplement policy is available to you. These decisions should be coordinated carefully so you do not create an unexpected coverage gap.
Common AEP Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake is automatically renewing a plan without reading the Annual Notice of Change. Even small adjustments to copays, drug coverage, or provider networks can have a major impact over the course of a year.
Another mistake is focusing only on extra benefits. Dental, vision, hearing, and over-the-counter allowances can be valuable, but they should not outweigh access to your doctors, prescription coverage, hospital costs, and overall out-of-pocket exposure.
Waiting until the last few days of Annual Enrollment can also lead to rushed decisions. Reviewing your options early gives you time to verify doctors, compare prescriptions, ask questions, and make a confident choice.
Why Working With an Independent Agent Saves You Time and Money
Medicare choices are personal. At Cilella Insurance, we take the time to understand your doctors, prescriptions, preferred pharmacy, travel habits, budget, and healthcare priorities before making a recommendation.
As an independent agency based in Morgantown, WV, we help clients compare available coverage in the counties and states where they live. We explain the differences between plans in clear language and help you look beyond headline premiums or television advertisements.
Our goal is not to push a one-size-fits-all option. It is to help you choose coverage that fits your life. Visit our Medicare overview
to learn more about your coverage choices.
FAQ
When is Medicare Annual Enrollment?
Medicare Annual Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7 every year. Changes made during that period generally begin January 1.
Can I switch Medicare Advantage plans during Annual Enrollment?
Yes. You can generally switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another during Annual Enrollment, subject to plan availability in your county.
Can I change my Part D prescription drug plan?
Yes. During Annual Enrollment, you can join, switch, or drop a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan.
Can I switch my Medicare Supplement policy during Annual Enrollment?
You may apply to change Medicare Supplement policies, but Annual Enrollment does not create a general federal guaranteed right to switch without underwriting. Your available options depend on your health, state rules, carrier requirements, and any guaranteed-issue rights you may have.
Can Cilella Insurance help me compare Medicare plans?
Yes. We can review your doctors, prescriptions, preferred pharmacy, health needs, and budget to help you compare available Medicare options.
Medicare Annual Enrollment begins October 15. Don’t wait until December—deadlines come fast. Call Cilella Insurance at 304.988.5552 or visit our Contact page for a no cost plan review today.