Every year, from October 15 through December 7, people with Medicare Advantage or a Part D prescription drug plan have the opportunity to make changes to their coverage for the coming year. This window is called the Annual Election Period — AEP for short — and anything you change takes effect January 1, 2027. September is the month to prepare. Here is what to do before the window opens.
What the Annual Election Period Lets You Do
During the AEP, you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare, move from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, and join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan. You cannot be turned down based on your health. Any changes made during this window are the ones that will govern your coverage for all of 2027.
This is different from the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which runs January 1 through March 31 and allows only a limited switch — from one Advantage plan to another, or from Advantage back to Original Medicare. The AEP is the bigger, more flexible window.
Step One: Read Your Annual Notice of Change
By September 30 of each year, your plan is required by law to mail you an Annual Notice of Change — commonly called an ANOC. This document tells you exactly what is changing in your plan for the upcoming year: premiums, copays, deductibles, which drugs are covered, and any changes to your provider network.
Read it carefully. Even if your plan sends a letter that says “your benefits are staying the same,” take the time to verify. A drug that was on a lower tier last year may have moved to a higher tier, costing you significantly more per month. Your primary care physician may have quietly left the network. Small changes on paper can mean real money out of pocket.
Step Two: Check Your Prescription Drug Coverage
Part D formularies — the list of drugs your plan covers and at what cost — change every year. The Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov lets you enter your medications and compare what different plans would charge you for each one in 2027. This step alone can uncover savings of $100 or more per month for people on multiple prescriptions.
If you would rather not navigate the Plan Finder yourself, that is exactly what we are here for. Give us your medication list and we will do the comparison for you.
Step Three: Verify Your Doctors Are Still In-Network
Medicare Advantage networks change year to year. A specialist who was in-network in 2026 may not be in 2027, which could mean higher out-of-pocket costs or having to find a new provider. Before October 15, call your plan or check their online directory to confirm that your primary care physician, any specialists you see regularly, and your preferred hospital are all still included for next year.
What If Your Plan Looks Fine?
If your drugs, doctors, and costs all look the same — or better — you may not need to switch anything. Staying in your current plan is a perfectly valid choice. But it is still worth a brief comparison. New plans enter markets every year, and you might qualify for the same or better coverage at a lower premium. The only way to know is to look.
Book a September Check-In
We offer free, no-pressure plan reviews every year during this season. We can walk through your ANOC with you, run a drug cost comparison, and check your provider network — all in one conversation. We are licensed in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, and we know the plans available in each market.
Do not wait until October. Call us now at (401) 413-4183 or book a check-in online. A 30-minute conversation in September can save you months of frustration in 2027.