Medicare Open Enrollment

Medicare Open Enrollment

Medicare Open Enrollment happens every year from October 15 - December 7. This is the time when you should review your current Medicare plan and compare it with other plans. If you make changes, they will take effect on January 1 of the coming year.

Medicare plans can change each year, so it’s important to review your options during open enrollment to make sure you have the best plan for your personal needs. For 2026, there are big changes happening. A number of Medicare plans will no longer be available, plan premiums and other cost sharing will increase, provider networks are changing, covered prescription drugs are changing, and more. 

It’s more important than ever to review your Medicare coverage for the coming year. But there is no need to panic. You have time to review your options and decide for yourself what plan will work best for you.

Review your ANOC

If you’re currently on a Medicare plan, each fall you’ll receive an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which outlines any changes in coverage, costs, etc. that will be effective in January. Use the information to help you decide if you should make a plan change. If you can’t find your ANOC, call your plan to get a copy.

Gather your health care-related information

To make things easier, gather the following items:

  • A list of your prescription medications with their dosage amounts
  • Your Medicare card
  • Any other plan card for your health coverage
  • The name of your preferred pharmacy
  • The names of your medical providers

Visit the Medicare Plan Finder

The federal Medicare Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov is the place to go to check out your plan options. Here you can find out:

  • If you qualify for help with your prescription drug costs
  • What Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans are available in your area
  • Which plans best cover the medications you’re on
  • Which providers participate in the plans available
  • How much various plans cost per month

You can also fully review your plan options within the Plan Finder, and you can enroll in a plan. If you need help, you can chat with Medicare staff.

Use the Medicare Plan Finder

It is much easier to review your Medicare plan options if you create an account on the Medicare Plan Finder. While you can always do a general plan search without creating a personalized account, with your own account you’ll be able to do more. You’ll not only see your plan options, but you’ll be able to see your current Medicare plan and to save your prescription drug list into your profile.

  • If you create your own personal account, you’ll need to have a valid email address and access to a computer or cell phone. For added security, Medicare will use two-factor authentication (they send a code to you that you’ll have to enter before accessing your personalized information).
  • If you don’t have email address or a computer or cell phone, you’ll have to use the general search.

After setting up a personal account – what to do next

  • Click Find health & drug plans.
  • Next, open up the account option on the left side of the page.
  • Log into your account with your username and password.
    • If you have forgotten your username or password, click the forgot your username or password link. You’ll need to provide your Medicare number, last name and date of birth.
  • After logging in, you can view your account information including your current plan, current list of prescription drugs (that you can edit), and much more.
  • Make sure your preferred pharmacy is listed, as well as your preferred medical providers. Once that is updated, select Continue to view plans.
  • At the top of the page are the filter options. Select Providers, if your providers are “must have”. Click Apply. This will bring up the plans that the provider(s) participates with.
  • Please note: Medicare recommends that you call you plan to verify your providers participate with the plan. Participating providers can change at any time.
  • Select the plans you are interested in and select Plan Details, then select Add to compare. This will bring plan results that meet the filters you have selected. Review these options.
  • After review of plans and making decision about what plan to enroll in, select Enroll and complete the plan enrollment.
  • When you have completed the enrollment, you will receive an enrollment verification code. Make sure to save this in case you encounter any problems with your plan enrollment.

Help is always available

  • You can chat with Medicare staff while you’re using the Medicare Plan Finder. You can find the chat in the upper right corner of the Plan Finder homepage.
  • You can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to get help directly from Medicare. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • You can also contact Minnesota Aging Pathways, formerly the Senior LinkAge Line, which is available Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can reach them via chat at https://mn.gov/aging-pathways/ or by phone at 800-333-2433.

The choice is yours

Remember, you do not need to panic. Take the time to review your options and decide what plan will work best for your needs. Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 – December 7 each year.