The 2016 annual Fall Open Enrollment Period (or AEP) continues through midnight of Monday, December 7th.

During the Open Enrollment Period, you can join, change, or drop your Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan coverage.  You can also choose another 2016 Medicare plan even if you have already enrolled in a 2016 plan earlier in this Open Enrollment Period (for instance, in late-October).

For an overview of 2016 Medicare Part D plans or Medicare Advantage plans in your area, please use our PDP-Finder or MA-Finder tools.  For additional assistance, please call a Medicare representative at 1-800-Medicare.

Bottom Line:  After December 7th, most people will only have a limited opportunity to change their 2016 Medicare plan coverage before next October’s 2017 Open Enrollment Period.

The Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (MADP) begins on January 1, 2016 and continues through February 14, 2016. During the MADP, you can drop your 2016 Medicare Advantage plan and return to original Medicare, plus you will be able to join a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

If your 2015 Medicare plan is not offered in 2016 and you have not been automatically moved to another Medicare plan, you will have a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) allowing you to enroll in a 2016 Medicare plan. This Service Area Reduction Special Enrollment Period (SAR-SEP) begins on December 8, 2015 and continues through February 29, 2016.