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Open Enrollment Period

The annual window from October 15 to December 7 when you can change your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
Aaron Sims
Reviewed byAaron Sims

Medicare Term

Definition

The annual window from October 15 to December 7 when you can change your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period (also called the Annual Election Period) runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. During this time, you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage plan, join or switch a Part D prescription drug plan, or switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare. Changes take effect January 1 of the following year.

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