What is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for Medicare in Simple Terms?

Medicare helps people to afford healthcare services as they age but understanding when to enroll can sometimes be confusing. We’ll cover what Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is and highlight key things you should know in simple terms.

What is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)?

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is a specific time that happens every year starting in the fall with dates running from October 15–December 7. During AEP, you can sign up for Original Medicare if you have not done that before, switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage (or vice versa), change Medicare Advantage plans or change Part D prescription drug plans.

Enrollment Period	2026 Dates	What you can do
Initial Enrollment	From 3 months before you turn 65 to three months after you turn 65	Sign up for Medicare
General Enrollment Period	January 1, 2026 to March 31, 2026	Sign up for Original Medicare (Part A and/or B)
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period	January 1, 2026 to March 31, 2026	Switch or leave your current Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plan.
Annual Enrollment Period	October 15, 2026 to December 7, 2026	During this period, you can change, sign-up, or leave your current Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plan, or Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug) plan. And sign up for Medicare Parts A and/or B (Original Medicare)

Is Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) the same as Open Enrollment?

Yes, they are the same thing but some people call it Open Enrollment or Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for Medicare but please note that this is different from something called Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment.

3 Things to Know about AEP:

1. Dates Are the Same Every Year: AEP always runs from October 15–December 7 every year so make sure to put these dates on your calendar. Any changes you try to make outside of these dates may not be allowed unless you qualify for something called a Special Enrollment Period which are due to certain life events (e.g., moving to a new state, losing other health coverage, etc.).
2. Choices Go Into Effect on January 1: Any changes you make during AEP will take effect on January 1 of the following year. For AEP 2026, your choices will take effect on January 1, 2027, which is why doing research sooner rather than later to avoid any disruptions in your healthcare coverage is important.
3. Current Plans Automatically Renew: If you don’t want to make changes to your existing plan, it will be automatically renewed for the next year but always check your coverage. However, it’s still important to review your plan during AEP to make sure that it continues to meet your needs.
4. Original Medicare before Medicare Advantage: If you want to enroll in a Part C (Medicare Advantage) plan, you need to be enrolled in Original Medicare first.

Interested in learning more? Check out our blog Special Needs Plans: C-SNP, I-SNP, D-SNP…What You Need to Know

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Colonial Penn is an insurance company and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or Medicare. Colonial Penn does not offer Medicare plans. The information provided relates to general insurance matters. Insurers and their representatives cannot give tax or legal advice. This article is for general educational purposes related to insurance. Seek personalized advice from qualified tax or legal advisors.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, or financial advice. For specific Medicare questions, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048).We strive for accuracy but make no guarantees. Policies and regulations can change. Verify information with authoritative sources and consult professionals where necessary.

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