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. The fall Annual Enrollment Period for 2026 Medicare plans took place October 15 – December 7, 2025.
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 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. During this time, you may change plans once.
To change your 2026 Medicare plan during Open Enrollment (Jan. 1 – March 31, 2026) you may:
- Contact your broker
- Visit the CMS website at www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/health-plans
- Call the plans in-network with your Mass General Brigham primary care providers directly to speak with a representative and enroll in the plan that’s right for you:
- Mass General Brigham Health Plan, 877-450-9260
- Aetna, 844-742-0935
- Tufts Medicare Preferred, 617-972-9400