Medicare AEP Countdown
Every October 15 through December 7, anyone on Medicare can switch Medicare Advantage or Part D plans — miss it, and you're generally waiting until next year. Here's exactly where you stand today.
Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7 every year. During it, anyone already on Medicare can switch Medicare Advantage plans, switch or join a Part D drug plan, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage — changes that take effect January 1. The countdown below is calculated live from today's date, so it's always current.
Where AEP Stands Today
AEP Opens
AEP Closes
New Coverage Starts
AEP is the one guaranteed window every year where all three changes are on the table at once: switching from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, switching from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage (or back), and joining, switching, or dropping a Part D prescription drug plan. Whatever you choose during this window takes effect January 1, regardless of whether you make the change on October 16 or December 6 — there's no advantage to acting at a specific point within the window, only to acting before it closes.
It's easy to confuse AEP with the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which runs January 1 through March 31 — but that window is narrower on two counts: it's only available to people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, and it allows just one additional switch (to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or back to Original Medicare), not the full range of AEP changes. If you're happy with your current plan, AEP isn't something you have to act on — but if your prescriptions, providers, or budget have changed over the past year, it's worth a look, since Part D formularies and Medicare Advantage plan details commonly change from one year to the next even if your premium looks similar.
Missing AEP generally means waiting until the following October, unless you're in a Medicare Advantage plan (the January-March window still applies) or you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period tied to a specific life event, such as moving out of a plan's service area or losing other creditable coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)?
The yearly window, October 15 through December 7, when anyone already on Medicare can switch Medicare Advantage plans, switch or join a Part D prescription drug plan, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Changes made during AEP take effect January 1 of the following year.
What can I actually change during AEP?
Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan or back, and join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan. It's the one guaranteed annual window for all of these changes at once.
Is AEP the same as the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
No. AEP (Oct 15 – Dec 7) is open to anyone on Medicare and allows the full range of changes above. The separate Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan 1 – Mar 31) is only for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan, and allows just one additional switch.
What happens if I miss AEP?
You'll generally need to wait for the next AEP, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (if you're in a Medicare Advantage plan), or a Special Enrollment Period if you qualify for one due to a specific life event.
When does coverage from an AEP change actually start?
January 1 of the following year, regardless of which day during Oct 15 – Dec 7 you make the change.
Dates shown are the standard national Medicare AEP window (October 15 – December 7) and are calculated automatically from your device's local date. This tool doesn't account for your personal enrollment history or plan-specific deadlines — if you're unsure which window applies to your situation, use this site's Medicare Enrollment Period Finder or contact a SHIP counselor for free, unbiased help.