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Your Free Medicare AEP Guide: Checklist & Timeline
The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7. This free guide gives you a step-by-step checklist and a month-by-month timeline so nothing slips through the cracks.
Your AEP Checklist
- 1
Gather your current plan documents
Find your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter and Evidence of Coverage. Plans must mail these by late September.
- 2
List your prescriptions
Write down every medication, dosage, and pharmacy. Part D formularies change every year.
- 3
Confirm your doctors are still in network
Provider networks change January 1. Check your primary doctor, specialists, and preferred hospital.
- 4
Add up this year's out-of-pocket costs
Premiums, copays, deductibles, and drug costs. This is your baseline for comparing 2027 plans.
- 5
Note any health changes
New diagnoses, upcoming surgeries, or new specialists can change which plan fits best.
- 6
Compare plans before you switch
Look at total yearly cost, not just the premium. Star ratings and drug coverage matter too.
- 7
Enroll before December 7
Changes made during AEP take effect January 1. Miss the window and you may wait a full year.
Your AEP Timeline
Late September
Your ANOC letter arrives
Your current plan mails the Annual Notice of Change. Read it first. It tells you exactly what changes January 1.
October 1
Plan details go public
Next year's Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are published. You can start comparing, but cannot enroll yet.
October 15
AEP opens
The Annual Enrollment Period begins. You can switch, drop, or join Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.
November
Best time to review with a broker
Appointment calendars fill fast in late November. Booking early means more time to compare without rushing.
December 7
AEP closes
Last day to make changes for next year. After this, most people are locked in until the next AEP.
January 1
New coverage starts
Any plan you chose during AEP takes effect. Watch for your new ID cards in December.
Want a second set of eyes on your plan?
A free AEP review takes about 20 minutes. We'll check your doctors, drugs, and total costs against every plan available in your area.