The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) happens every year from October 15 to December 7, and the window for 2025 is about to close.
If you are aged 65 years and up, and enrolled in Medicare, this is the time to take a close look at your coverage and make sure your plan is still the best fit for your health needs and your budget.
Once December 7, 2025, passes, most people will need to stay with their current choices until next year’s enrollment period, unless they qualify for a special enrollment circumstance.
This article will walk you through what AEP is, why it matters, and what you can still do in these final days to make sure your coverage works for you in the upcoming year.
What is AEP and Why Does it Matter?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period allows current Medicare beneficiaries to review and make changes to their coverage. During AEP, you can:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or vice versa.
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
- Add, change, or drop a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
Many people choose a plan once and assume it will keep working for them year after year.
But plans change. Benefits change. Your health needs change. Your medications may change. Your preferred doctors may no longer be in-network. And, a plan that was affordable last year may cost more next year. AEP is your chance to make sure your coverage still fits your life.
If you don’t review now, you might end up paying more than necessary, or discover later that your plan does not cover your preferred doctors or medications.
Why You Should Review Your Plan Now
Even if you’ve been satisfied with your coverage, this is the perfect moment to confirm how your coverage might be changing for January 1, 2026:
- Is your plan still available? Some Medicare Advantage PPO plans are ending on December 31, 2025. If yours is one of them, you will need to select a new Medicare plan to keep seeing your doctor, maintain continuity of your care, and avoid unexpected costs.
- What benefits are still available, have been changed, or added?
- How much will your monthly premiums be?
- Have your copays and deductibles changed?
- Check to be sure that you understand changes to the prescription drug formulary (which medications are covered)
- Be sure that your primary care provider and other doctors are still in-network (that is, which doctors and specialists accept your plan — or you could pay significantly more out of your own pocket).
Your Health Needs May Have Changed This Year
Ask yourself:
- Have I been prescribed new medications this year?
- Have I visited a new specialist?
- Do I plan to schedule surgery or get specialized treatment next year?
- Have my mobility or activity levels changed?
- Have I had more doctor visits or tests than before?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, reviewing your plan is especially important. Your current plan might not be the most affordable or convenient one anymore, and there are only a few days left until AEP closes.
Your Plan May Have Changed Too
Insurance companies adjust premiums, drug coverage, and networks each year. That means your plan next year may not look the same as it does now. For example:
- A medication you rely on may move to a higher cost tier.
- Your primary care doctor may no longer accept your plan.
- Your out-of-pocket costs for labs or specialist appointments may increase.
You deserve to know this before January 2026, not after you receive a higher bill. This is why even satisfied Medicare beneficiaries should take a few minutes to review their coverage.
Benefits of Reviewing with a Licensed Medicare Advisor
While you can review your plan on your own, speaking with a licensed professional who understands Medicare can make the process easier. A Medicare Benefits Review can:
- Compare plans based on your personal prescription list
- Check whether your current doctors are in-network
- Look for ways to reduce out-of-pocket costs
- Identify plans that include additional benefits you may qualify for
Some Medicare Advantage plans include helpful extras such as:
- Dental, vision, and hearing coverage
- Over-the-counter allowances
- Fitness memberships
- Transportation benefits
- Meal support after hospital stays
If these benefits would make your life easier, now is the time to check whether your plan offers them, or if another plan does.
This is the Final Week. Don’t Wait!
From now until December 7, call wait times for Medicare support and insurance advisors tend to increase. Many people wait until the final few days, only to find that they don’t have enough time to fully compare options.
Acting now gives you time to review your plan carefully, ask questions, and make a confident choice.
A good rule of thumb: If you have not reviewed your plan yet this year, now is the time.
How to Prepare for a Benefits Review
To make your review quick and easy, gather:
- Your Medicare card
- Your list of current prescriptions, including dosage
- Names of your preferred pharmacies
- Names of your primary care doctor and specialists
Having this information ready allows for a clear comparison of plans and costs.
What Happens if You Do Nothing Before December 7?
If you do not make changes:
- You will generally stay in your current plan.
- The new plan rules for 2026 will automatically go into effect on January 1.
If your costs go up or your medications are no longer fully covered, you may have to wait until next AEP to adjust, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
Review now to avoid unpleasant surprises later!
Signs That it’s Time to Change Plans
Consider switching if:
- Your monthly premiums or copays are going to increase
- Your doctor or specialist is no longer in your plan’s network
- Your medications have become more expensive
- You’ve been avoiding care because of cost
- You’ve been unhappy with your plan’s customer service
- You would benefit from dental, vision, or hearing coverage your plan doesn’t provide
If any of these sound familiar, reviewing is even more important.
Coverage Is Personal: Your Plan Should Fit You
No two people have the same health needs. Medicare is not one-size-fits-all. You deserve a plan that supports your health, your lifestyle, and your budget. The final week of AEP is your chance to:
- Protect your health
- Reduce your costs
- Gain peace of mind for the year ahead
Don’t rush. Don’t guess. Review.
Final Reminder
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period ends on December 7, and this is your last chance to make sure your plan is the right fit for you in the upcoming year.
Even if you’ve been satisfied in the past, both your health needs and your plan may have changed. A simple Benefits Review now can save you money, ensure your doctors remain covered, and help you access important benefits.
Take the time to review, compare, and choose confidently. Your health and comfort are worth it.