Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: Key Insights

By Brent Meyer — SafeMoney.com Founder & Editor Reviewed by Licensed Financial Professionals  |  SafeMoney.com — Trusted Since 2011  |  Updated Regularly Quick Answer: Discover essential details about Medicare Open Enrollment 2026. Make informed choices for your health plans. Learn more at SafeMoney.com. October 15 to December 7: Your Window to Make Changes Today marks the start of Medicare’s Annual Election Period (AEP)— October 15 through December 7. During this time, beneficiaries can review and adjust health and prescription drug plans for the coming year. Any changes you make now will go into effect January 1, 2026. Missing this window could leave you stuck in a plan that’s no longer optimal—or paying higher charges in some cases. What You Can Do During Open Enrollment During this period, Medicare beneficiaries can: Switch from Original Medicare (Parts A & B) to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan (or vice versa) Enroll in, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan (if you have Original Medicare) Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare (noting supplemental coverage implications) If you don’t take any action, your current coverage will generally automatically renew for 2026—unless your plan is discontinued or significantly changed. What’s Changing in 2026 You Should Factor In When comparing plans this year, don’t just look at premiums. Some of the key updates and cost shifts include: Higher Part B premiums and deductibles : The standard Part B premium is expected to rise to about $206.50 , with the annual deductible increasing to around $288. Prescription drug changes : The out-of-pocket cap for Part D will increase to $2,100 (up from $2,000). Plan updates in Medicare Advantage and Part D : 2026 regulations affect formularies, prior authorizations, and provider networks. Automatic renewals: Many plans will renew automatically unless you opt out or switch. Because of these shifts, a plan that looked good last year might not be the best fit now.     6 Steps to Help You Choose Wisely 1. Compare Your “Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC) Each plan sends this document—review it carefully for cost, coverage, or provider network changes. 2. Use the Medicare Plan Finder Tool The official Medicare.gov tool lets you compare plans side by side based on your prescriptions and providers. 3. Check Provider and Pharmacy Compatibility Confirm that your doctors and