Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

Review Your Medicare Coverage Every Year

Your healthcare needs can change from year to year—and so can your Medicare plan.

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is your opportunity to review your current coverage, compare available plans, and make changes that better fit your healthcare needs, prescription medications, and retirement goals.

Whether you’re satisfied with your current coverage or considering a different Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, reviewing your options each year can help ensure you’re getting the best value.

At Alvin Cabrera Medicare & Retirement Services, we help Connecticut residents compare Medicare plans from multiple insurance carriers so they can make informed decisions during the Annual Enrollment Period.

What Is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the time each year when eligible Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their Medicare coverage for the upcoming year.

For most beneficiaries, AEP runs:

October 15 through December 7

Any approved changes generally become effective on January 1 of the following year.

This enrollment period allows you to review your coverage and make adjustments if your healthcare needs, medications, providers, or plan benefits have changed.

What Can You Do During AEP?

During the Annual Enrollment Period, you may be able to:

  • Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
  • Leave a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare
  • Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
  • Enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
  • Change from one Medicare Part D plan to another
  • Drop Medicare Part D coverage (if appropriate for your situation)

Each decision should be made after carefully reviewing your healthcare needs and available options.

Reasons to Consider Changing Plans

You may want to review your Medicare coverage if:

Your Medications Have Changed

A different prescription drug plan may offer better coverage for your medications.

Your Healthcare Needs Have Changed

A change in your health may make different coverage more appropriate.

Your Doctors Have Changed

It’s important to confirm that your preferred physicians and specialists continue participating in your plan’s network if you’re enrolled in Medicare Advantage.

Your Costs Have Increased

If premiums, deductibles, or copayments have increased, another plan may provide better value.

You Want Additional Benefits

Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer benefits such as:

  • Dental coverage
  • Vision care
  • Hearing benefits
  • Fitness memberships
  • Transportation assistance

Available benefits vary by plan and carrier.

Neither option is automatically better

The right choice depends on your healthcare needs, financial goals, preferred physicians, travel habits, and prescription medications.

Medicare Made Simple

Why Review Your Medicare Plan Every Year?

Many people assume they should simply keep the same Medicare plan year after year.

However, Medicare plans can change annually.

Changes may include:

  • Monthly premiums
  • Prescription drug formularies
  • Provider networks
  • Pharmacy networks
  • Deductibles
  • Copayments
  • Coinsurance
  • Supplemental benefits

Even if your health hasn’t changed, your current plan may no longer be the best fit.

An annual Medicare review helps ensure your coverage continues to meet your needs.

Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare During AEP

The Annual Enrollment Period is often when beneficiaries reconsider whether they should remain enrolled in Medicare Advantage or return to Original Medicare.

An independent Medicare review can help answer these questions objectively.

Questions to consider include:

We provide guidance for:

  • Are your preferred providers still in-network?
  • Have your healthcare needs changed?
  • Are your prescription medications still covered?
  • Would a Medicare Supplement plan better fit your retirement goals?
  • Have your out-of-pocket costs increased?
Alvin Cabrera - Independent Advice

Why Work with an Independent Medicare Advisor?

Comparing Medicare plans can be challenging because every insurance company offers different premiums, provider networks, prescription drug coverage, and supplemental benefits.

As an independent advisor, Alvin Cabrera helps clients:

  • Compare Medicare Advantage plans
  • Review Medicare Part D coverage
  • Evaluate prescription drug costs
  • Compare insurance carriers
  • Understand annual plan changes
  • Select coverage based on healthcare needs—not marketing materials

Representing more than 200 insurance carriers, Alvin provides unbiased recommendations designed around your individual circumstances.

Should Everyone Change Plans During AEP?

Not necessarily.

If your current Medicare coverage continues to meet your healthcare needs, includes your providers and prescriptions, and remains cost-effective, keeping your existing plan may be the right choice.

The key is to review your options before deciding rather than automatically renewing your current coverage.

Related Medicare Resources

Continue exploring Medicare:

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Medicare Annual Enrollment?

The Annual Enrollment Period generally runs October 15 through December 7 each year.

For changes made during AEP, new coverage generally becomes effective on January 1 of the following year.

No. However, reviewing your plan annually helps ensure it continues to meet your healthcare and financial needs.

Yes. Eligible beneficiaries can generally make this change during the Annual Enrollment Period.

Yes. Alvin provides personalized Medicare reviews, compares plans from multiple insurance carriers, and helps clients choose coverage that aligns with their healthcare needs and retirement goals.

Make the Most of Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period

The Annual Enrollment Period is your opportunity to make sure your Medicare coverage continues to work for you.

Rather than automatically renewing your current plan, take the time to review your options, compare available plans, and determine whether changes could improve your healthcare coverage or reduce your overall costs.

Alvin Cabrera provides personalized Medicare reviews to help Connecticut residents confidently evaluate their options and make informed enrollment decisions.