Thompson Medicare Brokerage
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
What is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)? 🍂🗓️
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is one of the most important times of the year for Medicare beneficiaries. From October 15 – December 7, you have the opportunity to review your current coverage and make changes for the following year.
🤔📅 When is AEP?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period happens every year from October 15 to December 7. Any changes you make during this time will take effect on January 1 of the new year.
🔄 Why is AEP so Important?
All Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Prescription Drug (Part D) plans are offered on yearly contracts with Medicare. That means your plan today may not look the same next year. During AEP, it’s critical to review your coverage because:
- ✅ Plans can change – premiums, copays, deductibles, and drug coverage may be different.
- ❌ Some plans may end – carriers sometimes choose not to renew certain plans.
- 💡 Better options may be available – new plans and benefits are often introduced each year.
- 👍 Your current plan may still be best – but you won’t know without comparing!
🛑 Deadline Matters
All changes during AEP must be finalized by December 7. Once the deadline passes, your decisions become locked in for the next year, starting January 1.
⚖️ What Can You Do During Annual Enrollment?
Here’s what you can do during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another.
- Drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare (with or without Part D).
- Join, switch, or drop a Part D Prescription Drug Plan.
🧾 Tips for Reviewing Your Plan
📖 Review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC): mailed each September, this outlines upcoming changes to your plan.
- 💊 Check your prescriptions: make sure your medications are still covered affordably.
- 🏥 Check your providers: confirm your doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies are still in-network.
- 💵 Look at costs: review monthly premiums, copays, and out-of-pocket limits.
💬 Final Thoughts on AEP
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is your chance to ensure you have the coverage that best fits your needs. Even if you’re happy with your plan, it’s always worth reviewing to confirm it’s still the right fit.
👉 Don’t wait until the last minute — schedule your review early so you have time to make informed decisions.
📞 Need Help Navigating AEP?
At Thompson Medicare Brokerage, I spend my time learning the rules and plan changes so you don’t have to. Let me help you compare your options for 2026.
📅 Appointments available starting October 1st
Contact Benjamin at Thompson Medicare Brokerage:
- Phone: 855-982-6525
- Email: benjamin@thompsonmedicare.com
- Consultation: Schedule here.
✅ Looking Ahead…
Medicare isn’t just about choosing a plan — it’s about making sure you have someone on your side who puts your needs first. At Thompson Medicare Brokerage, I focus on clarity, transparency, and real guidance.
My job isn’t to push you into the plan that pays me the most — it’s to help you find the plan that truly works for your health, lifestyle, and budget. Whether it’s Medicare Advantage, Part D drug coverage, Medigap, VA coordination, or Medicaid overlap, I’m here to help you make sense of it all — during AEP and throughout the year.
Together, we’ll review your doctors, prescriptions, and benefits so you can make confident, informed decisions. Still comparing your choices? Take a look at my other Medicare articles or visit the Broker Services page to see how I support clients before, during, and after enrollment.
When you’re ready, let’s connect. I’ll take the time to understand your whole situation, so we can choose coverage that gives you peace of mind — not just another piece of paperwork.
¹ClearSpring, Molina & BCBS IL plan options are listed separately.