Sunday is the last day of Medicare’s annual Fall Open Enrollment period. This is the time of year when people with Medicare review their current coverage and decide to retain it or make a switch. Options include switching from Original Medicare (OM) to Medicare Advantage (MA) and vice versa, picking a new standalone Part D prescription drug plan, or choosing a different MA plan with or without Part D coverage.
Evaluating Coverage Options
Since health plans, as well as individual circumstances, can change from year to year, this annual review opportunity is critical. The Medicare Rights Center urges people with Medicare to evaluate their options if they haven’t done so already, including by assessing how their current coverage is working for them—factoring in any changes their MA or Part D plan may have in store for next year—and comparing it to what else is available.
Where to Begin
Choosing coverage can be intimidating and complex. Medicare Rights offers Your Guide to Medicare Open Enrollment to help inform successful decision-making through details about what options you have during open enrollment, timelines, and questions to ask before enrolling. This resource is available for free through our online educational platform Medicare Interactive.
Original Medicare Enrollees
If you currently have Original Medicare, consult the Medicare & You 2026 handbook for your coverage and costs for next year. All Medicare households should have received this handbook in late September, but you can also download it from Medicare.gov. Callers to 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) can also request a copy. The handbook explains Original Medicare’s coverage for the coming year.
For those with OM and a Medigap who are considering an MA plan, switching to an MA plan may make it difficult or impossible to re-enroll in Medigap. Check with your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to learn about your state’s rules.
MA and Part D Enrollees
If you currently have an MA or Part D plan, you should receive an Annual Notice of Change and/or Evidence of Coverage document in late September, either as a hard copy or via email. These documents outline benefits and coverage rules, costs, formulary and coverage restrictions, and network changes for the coming year.
For MA plans, be sure your providers are in the network and compare costs, coverage, and benefits. It’s helpful to double-check with providers to be sure they accept that plan, or with plans to be sure they contract with that provider.
For Part D plans, whether standalone or part of an MA plan, you should look at the formularies to be sure your prescriptions are covered and check if your preferred pharmacies are preferred and in-network.
Everyone is different, so keep in mind your individual health needs when comparing plans, such as the providers and specialists you frequently see and the costliest prescription drugs for you. Even if you are satisfied with your current coverage, it is a good idea to check if there are options in your area that are more affordable, have fewer coverage restrictions, or are otherwise better suited to your needs.
How to Enroll in a New Plan
The best way to enroll in a new plan is via the Medicare Plan Finder website or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Plan Finder can help you compare Medicare Advantage and prescription drug costs across plans in your area, taking into consideration the drugs you take and the pharmacies you use. To confirm plan information you read online, call the plan directly and always write down everything about the conversation, including the date, name of the representative you spoke to, and any outcomes.
Enrolling directly through these official Medicare platforms can protect you in case you receive incorrect information from Medicare sources or run into problems with your plan. In 2026, to account for changing plan information on Plan Finder, people who enroll directly through the online platform will be given a Special Enrollment Period if they have been given incorrect network information by Plan Finder.
Where to Go for Help
- Your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides one-on-one unbiased Medicare assistance. There are 54 SHIPs (one in each of the 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Visit www.shiphelp.org and click on the “Find local Medicare help” button in the upper right corner to contact your SHIP.
- You can also go directly to Medicare by dialing 1-800-MEDICARE.
- And Medicare Rights can provide additional assistance, answering your questions and troubleshooting issues you may be having during open enrollment. Call our national helpline at 800-333-4114 Monday through Friday. The helpline is closed on weekends.
