Every fall, patients who are Medicare eligible can shop for Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans during the fall Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. This Annual Enrollment Period generally begins mid-October and ends the first week of December. Coverage under the plan you choose during the fall Annual Enrollment Period takes effect January 1 of the new year.
There is also a second Open Enrollment Period that gives Medicare patients a second chance to enroll in a new plan if they missed the previous fall Annual Enrollment Period, or if they are not happy with the plan they chose for any reason. The second Open Enrollment Period takes place January 1st through March 31st of the new year. During this time, you may change plans once.