Medicare Open Enrollment, from October 15, 2025, to December 7, 2025, is here again. Open enrollment is the annual period that allows individuals and families to review and change their Medicare health and drug plans.
The reasons for making a change can vary by individual, but factors can include changes in health status, changes in an individual’s preferred health care providers, needed coverage for existing or new drugs and prescriptions, and changes due to the overall costs of a plan compared to alternative plans or insurance companies.
If someone is satisfied with their current plan no action is required during open enrollment and their plan will remain the same. However, those who wish to review their options or make a change need to act during the open enrollment period or wait until open enrollment next year. Any changes to a plan are effective on January 1 of the new year.
Medicare Open Enrollment is for existing individuals, not new enrollees. New Enrollees may sign up during their Initial Enrollment Period (around their 65th birthday) or Special Enrollment Period.