By Jordan Renert, The Greenlight Insurance Agency
Every fall we get the same call, usually in the second week of December: "I meant to look at my Medicare plan. Did I miss it?"
Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7. Your plan must get your request by December 7, and your new coverage starts January 1. So what happens if that date passes and you haven't done anything? Here's the plain-English answer.
If you do nothing, your plan renews
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D drug plan and you don't make a change, your coverage generally continues into 2027 on its own.
That's fine if you're happy with your plan, as long as your plan isn't ending and you haven't gotten a non-renewal or termination letter for 2027.
The catch: your plan renews with its 2027 costs and rules. Premiums, copays, the drug list, and the doctor and pharmacy network can all change on January 1. Your plan's Annual Notice of Change lists what's different. If you skip it, you may find out at the pharmacy counter in January.
If you're in Medicare Advantage, you get one more chance
If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1, you also have the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 to March 31. During that window you can make one change:
Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or
Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare (you can also join a separate drug plan).
The change starts the first of the month after the plan gets your request. This window is only for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
If you have Original Medicare and a drug plan
There's no January window for you. If you want a different Part D plan, you'll generally have to wait until the next Annual Enrollment Period, which starts October 15, 2027, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (more on that below).
If you don't have Medicare drug coverage at all, or other creditable drug coverage, the AEP is usually your chance to add it. Waiting can mean a Part D late enrollment penalty that's added to your premium for as long as you have drug coverage.
If your plan is ending
If you got a letter saying your Medicare Advantage or drug plan won't be offered in 2027, you get extra time. You can pick a new plan from December 8 through the last day of February. If you don't join a new Medicare Advantage plan, you'll be put in Original Medicare.
Don't wait for that extra time if you don't have to. Choosing by December 7 is the simplest way to have your new coverage in place on January 1, with no gap, especially for prescriptions.
Special Enrollment Periods
Outside of these windows, you can change plans only if something in your life qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period. Common examples:
You move to a new address with different plan options.
You lose your work coverage (from a job or union).
You have Medicaid or get Extra Help with drug costs. You can make certain drug coverage changes once a month.
Your plan's contract with Medicare ends.
A plan with a 5-star rating is available where you live. You can switch to it once, between December 8 and November 30.
Each one has its own time limit, usually a couple of months. If you think one applies to you, ask before the window closes.
What about Medicare Supplement (Medigap)?
Medigap policies don't follow the December 7 deadline. The rules depend on your state. In many states, an insurance company can ask health questions outside of certain protected times. New York is different: companies must accept applications all year. Check the rules where you live before making any change.
Missed signing up for Medicare itself?
The Dec 7 deadline is for plans. Signing up for Part A and Part B has its own timing.
If you're turning 65, aim to sign up in the 3 months before your birthday month so your coverage starts on time. If you missed your first window and don't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, there's a General Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31. Coverage starts the month after you sign up, and you may owe a late penalty.
What to do before December 7
If you're reading this before the deadline, you still have time:
Find your Annual Notice of Change and read the "what's changing" page.
Make a list of your prescriptions, with doses.
Check that your doctors and your pharmacy are still in network for 2027.
Decide: keep your plan, or compare.
Let us look at it with you
We're The Greenlight Insurance Agency, a father-and-son team, Scott and Jordan Renert, helping people with Medicare since 2007. We're independent agents licensed in 18 states, including New York, Florida, Texas and South Carolina, so we compare options from several insurance companies, not just one. There's no cost to you for our help.
Call our office at (631) 998-4221
Call or text Jordan at (631) 406-9070
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 6 organizations which offer 20 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
Sources: Medicare.gov: Joining a plan; Medicare.gov: Special Enrollment Periods; Medicare.gov: Your Yearly Medicare Review; Medicare.gov: How much does Medicare drug coverage cost?; Medicare.gov: When does Medicare coverage start?; NY DFS: Information for Medicare beneficiaries.
