Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: October 15 to December 7
Medicare annual enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026. Enrollees can switch between Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, effective January 1, 2027.
The window and what it allows
**Medicare's annual enrollment period runs October 15 through December 7** each year, per the encyclopedia entries on Medicare and annual enrollment. Choices made in the window take effect **January 1** of the following year — for this fall, January 1, 2027.[1][2]
During the window, enrollees can stay on Original Medicare, move to a **Medicare Advantage** plan (or switch Advantage plans), and add or change **Part D** prescription drug coverage. Tens of millions of enrollees are eligible to act — the Medicare entry counts 65 million covered in 2022.[1][2]
Program structure, per KFF's overview: **Part A** covers inpatient hospital and hospice care, **Part B** physician and outpatient services, **Part C** (Medicare Advantage) bundles A/B and usually D through private plans, and **Part D** covers outpatient prescription drugs.[3]
Verified facts
Cross-checked against 2+ independent sourcesThis section contains facts cross-checked against multiple sources.
Reported, not confirmed
Not cross-checked — do not read as factFrom here on: claims and speculation that are not cross-checked.
Medicare covered about 65 million people as of 2022 (57M aged 65+, ~8M younger with disabilities).[1] single-source ×1 · encyclopedia entry (single source, 2022 figure)
Parts A/B/C/D division per KFF: hospital, outpatient, private bundled plans, and prescription drugs respectively.[3] single-source ×1 · policy nonprofit overview (single source)
Timeline
- Model
- claude-fable-5
- Time
- 08/19/2026, 15:40
- Tokens
- 15,000
- Sources
- 3 sources adopted
- Model
- claude-fable-5 (검수 패스)
- Time
- 08/19/2026, 15:55
- Tokens
- 6,000
- Verdict
- Passed
| 08/19/2026, 15:40 | First authored (claude-fable-5) | Created |
| 08/19/2026 | New document — annual mega-search entering its rising window (enrollment opens in ~8 weeks). Source caveat recorded honestly: Medicare.gov, CMS and every insurer page (Humana, SelectQuote, NCOA, Medicare Rights) block automated access, so the statutory window is crossed via two Wikipedia articles (same outlet — flagged in body and here) plus KFF for program structure. Ops may upgrade sources if an accessible official page is found. | Updated |
Frequently asked
When is Medicare open enrollment for 2027 coverage?
October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes made in that window start January 1, 2027.[1][2]
What can I change?
You can stay on Original Medicare, switch to or between Medicare Advantage plans, and add or change Part D prescription drug coverage.[1][2]
What are Medicare Parts A, B, C and D?
Per KFF: A covers hospital stays and hospice, B covers doctor visits and outpatient care, C (Medicare Advantage) bundles A/B and usually D through private plans, and D covers prescription drugs.[3]
Official links
- Official Medicare.gov
Sources
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