Medicare Annual Enrollment Is Coming: Why Now Is the Time to Review Your Coverage

Your Medicare plan may have worked well this year. That doesn’t mean you should automatically assume it will work the same way next year.

Medicare Annual Enrollment may still be a few weeks away, but preparing for it doesn’t have to wait until October 15.

Every year, Medicare health and prescription drug plans can change. Your own healthcare needs can change too.

That’s why reviewing your coverage before the enrollment period begins can be valuable—even if you ultimately decide to keep exactly what you already have.

At EPIA Insurance Agency Inc., we believe a Medicare review should start with a simple question:

Does my current coverage still fit my needs?

When Is Medicare Open Enrollment in 2026?

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period runs every year from October 15 through December 7.

For 2026, that means:

October 1, 2026: Medicare recommends beginning to compare your current health or drug coverage with the options available for 2027.

October 15, 2026: Medicare Open Enrollment begins.

December 7, 2026: Medicare Open Enrollment ends.

January 1, 2027: Changes made during Open Enrollment generally take effect.

During Open Enrollment, eligible Medicare beneficiaries can make certain changes to Medicare Advantage and prescription drug coverage, including switching plans or changing between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare, depending on their current coverage.

1. Your Medicare Plan Can Change From Year to Year

Having the same plan name doesn't necessarily mean everything will remain exactly the same next year.

According to CMS, Medicare health and drug plans can make annual changes to areas including:

• Costs

• Coverage

• Provider networks

• Pharmacy networks

If you're enrolled in a Medicare health or prescription drug plan, CMS recommends reviewing the materials your plan sends you, including your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and Evidence of Coverage (EOC).

The goal isn't automatically to find a new plan.

It's to understand what you're going to have next year before deciding whether you're comfortable keeping it.

2. Your Healthcare Needs May Have Changed Too

Plans aren't the only things that change.

Think about what has happened in your own life over the past year.

Perhaps you:

• Started taking a new prescription

• Changed doctors or specialists

• Are using healthcare services more frequently

• Have different financial priorities

• Want to better understand benefits you haven't been using

A plan that suited you previously may still be a good fit—but it's worth checking rather than assuming.

3. Don't Look at the Premium Alone

Cost matters, but your monthly premium is only one part of Medicare coverage.

When reviewing your options, consider the bigger picture, including the plan's coverage, provider and pharmacy networks, prescription drug coverage, and potential out-of-pocket costs.

For many people, keeping access to particular doctors or ensuring their prescriptions are appropriately covered may be just as important as the monthly premium.

4. Reviewing Your Coverage Doesn't Mean You Have to Change It

This is important.

A Medicare review does not automatically mean switching plans.

CMS specifically states that if your existing plan continues to be offered and you're satisfied that it will meet your needs for the following year, you don't need to make a change during Open Enrollment.

Sometimes the best outcome of a review is simply: “Yes, I'm comfortable staying where I am.”

The value comes from making that decision with current information.

5. Start Preparing Before October 15

You don't need to wait until the first day of Open Enrollment to start thinking about your coverage.

Before enrollment begins, you can:

• Gather information about your current coverage

• Make a list of your doctors and specialists

• Review your prescription medications

• Write down questions about benefits or costs

• Read the notices you receive from your current plan

Medicare indicates that information about the following year's plans becomes available beginning in October, with its 2026 handbook specifically identifying October 1 as the time to start comparing 2027 options.

Preparing beforehand means you'll know what questions you want answered when it's time to compare.

A Simple Medicare Review Checklist

Before reviewing your Medicare coverage, consider having the following information ready:

☐ Your current Medicare and plan information

☐ A list of your prescription medications

☐ Your preferred doctors, specialists, and pharmacies

☐ Any healthcare needs that have changed this year

☐ Questions about costs or benefits

☐ Your Annual Notice of Change when it becomes available

You don't need to understand every Medicare term before asking for help.

That's what professional guidance is for.

Already an EPIA Client? Keep an Eye on Your Mailbox

As we prepare for the upcoming Medicare enrollment season, some EPIA clients may receive information from us by mail.

This is part of our commitment to staying connected with our Medicare clients—not only when they first enroll, but as their coverage needs evolve.

The AGA retention campaign being used by EPIA is specifically designed to reconnect agents and clients ahead of AEP, remind clients of their agent's ongoing services, and encourage conversations about Medicare coverage options.

If you receive a letter from EPIA, consider it a reminder:

We're still here when you need us.

And you certainly don't need to wait for a letter to arrive before getting in touch.

Let’s Review Your Medicare Coverage Together

Medicare decisions are personal.

Your healthcare needs, prescriptions, preferred providers, budget, and priorities all matter when considering your coverage.

The EPIA team can help you understand your current coverage and discuss the options available to you as Medicare Open Enrollment approaches.

📞 +1 (626) 912-1988 📧 info@epiagroup.com 🌐 www.epiagroup.com

References

The factual Medicare information in this article was checked against current official federal guidance:

• Medicare.gov — Open Enrollment — official dates, permitted coverage changes and January 1 effective date.

• CMS — Medicare Open Enrollment — annual plan changes, ANOC/EOC review and guidance for people satisfied with their existing coverage.

• 2026 Medicare & You Handbook — 2026 timeline, including October 1 comparison period and October 15–December 7 Open Enrollment.

• Medicare.gov — Joining a Plan — enrollment periods and the changes beneficiaries can make.

Last reviewed: August 24, 2026

Editorial Note

This article is intended for general educational purposes and reflects Medicare information available at the time of publication. Medicare eligibility, enrollment rights, plan availability, benefits and individual circumstances vary. It is not legal, tax or medical advice.

For guidance regarding your specific Medicare coverage, contact the EPIA team directly.