September & October—Review and Compare

Review: Your plan may change.

Review any notices from your plan about changes for next year. To learn more about your options download Medicare and You 2014 

Compare: In October, use Medicare’s tools to find a plan that meets your needs.

This is the one time of year when ALL people with Medicare can make changes to their health and prescription drug plans for the next year.

Decide: October 15 is the first day you can change your Medicare coverage for next year.

December 7—Open Enrollment Ends
In most cases, December 7 is the last day you can change your Medicare coverage for next year. The plan has to get your enrollment request (application) by December 7.

January 1—Coverage Begins

Your new coverage begins if you switched to a new plan. If you stay with the same plan, any changes to coverage, benefits, or costs for the new year will begin on January 1.
Making changes to your coverage after January 1

Between January 1–February 14, if you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO), you can leave your plan and switch to Original Medicare. If you switch to Original Medicare during this period, you will have until February 14 to also join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to add drug coverage. Your coverage will begin the first day of the month after the plan gets your enrollment form.