Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
October 15 thru December 7
The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) typically refers to a specific period during which individuals can make changes to their health insurance plans or enroll in new ones.
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Navigating Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): An Advisor's Guide
What is AEP?
The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)— is the designated annual window when Medicare Beneficiaries can review their coverage and make adjustments to their Medicare Advantage Plans and Prescription Drug Plans.
Why Would Someone Want to Change Plans?
Medicare health and prescription drug plans change their costs, provider networks, ancillary benefits, and formulary tier structures every single year. So, what was an ideal plan for you this year might not be appropriate for next year.
Key Dates and Deadlines
Marking your calendar for AEP is critical because enrollment requests must be submitted before the window closes.
| MEDICARE AEP TIMELINE & DATES | |
|---|---|
| SEPTEMBER 30: | Your current plan mails your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) detailing upcoming cost and coverage adjustments. |
| OCTOBER 15: | The official Annual Enrollment Period begins. |
| DECEMBER 7: | The AEP window closes at midnight. All plan changes must be received by this date. |
| JANUARY 1: | All approved changes and new plan benefits go into effect for the new calendar year. |
*Warning: The December 7 deadline is a hard federal cutoff. If your application or switch is not processed by midnight on December 7, you are generally locked into your current plan for the entire upcoming year unless you experience a qualifying Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
What You CAN and CANNOT Do During AEP
Understanding the regulatory boundaries of AEP prevents costly mistakes and missed opportunities:
What You CAN Do:
- Switch Medicare Advantage Plans: Change from one Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan to another.
- Change Prescription Drug Coverage: Switch from one standalone Part D drug plan to another, or enroll for the first time into a prescription drug plan if you didn't have one previously.
- Enroll in Medicare Advantage: Switch from Original Medicare over to a private Medicare Advantage plan.
- Switch from Advantage to Original Medicare: Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and transition back to Original Medicare, and pair it with a standalone Part D drug plan.
What You CANNOT Do:
- Initial Enrollment into Medicare: Initial sign-up for Parts A and B happens during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) around age 65 (or younger for those on disability).
- Late enrollment into Part B (without coming from employer/creditable coverage)- This is only available during “General Enrollment” which runs from Jan 1- March 31.
Action Plan for AEP
To make sure you navigate the fall enrollment window successfully, follow this practical checklist:
- Read Your ANOC(Annual Notice of Change) Letter (Arriving Late September): Do not throw away the mail from your insurance carrier. Your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) outlines changes to your monthly premium, copays, annual out-of-pocket maximum, and network rules for the upcoming year.
- Audit Your Current Medications: Check your exact drug list against next year’s formularies. Insurance plans frequently shift drugs to higher tiers or remove them from coverage entirely from one year to the next.
- Work with an Independent Broker: Avoid relying solely on generalized TV commercials or call centers. An independent advisor compares all carrier options in your local area objectively, checking your specific doctors and prescriptions against every available plan... at ZERO cost to you!
Reviewing New Jersey Regional Carrier Changes During AEP
National headlines during Open Enrollment often miss the mark because Medicare Advantage is strictly local. In New Jersey, plan benefits and network access shift significantly depending on your specific county.
When evaluating your fall options, focus on three key local factors:
- HOSPITAL & HEALTH SYSTEM CONTRACTS : Verify that local systems like Virtua, Cooper, Jefferson, RWJBarnabas, or Hackensack Meridian remain in-network for next year.
- DOCTOR CONTRACTS- Verify that your New Jersey Primary Doctor and all of your Specialists remain in-network for next year.
- COUNTY-LEVEL PLAN AVAILABILITY: Plans regularly change boundaries. A policy available in Camden or Burlington County may not offer the same terms in Gloucester County.
- SUPPLEMENTAL PERKS & ALLOWANCES Carriers adjust quarterly over-the-counter (OTC) dollars, dental caps, and flex cards annually. Don't assume this year's perks carry over or that they are the same as your friend’s plan who lives outside of your NJ county.
*Advisor Insight: "Never assume a plan works the same way across county lines. A Medicare Advantage plan with great coverage in Cherry Hill might have a narrower physician network just a few miles away. Always run a ZIP-code-specific check during AEP."
Frequently Asked Questions
If you take no action and miss the December 7 window, you will automatically remain enrolled in your current plan for the upcoming year—provided the carrier continues to offer it in your service area. Your rates and benefits will update to reflect the new annual terms outlined in your ANOC letter.
No. AEP runs from October 15 to December 7 for everyone on Medicare. A separate window called the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MAOEP) runs from January 1 to March 31, which allows individuals already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan to switch to a different Advantage plan or drop back to Original Medicare.
Yes. Insurance companies frequently alter their pharmacy networks, copay structures, and doctor lists from year to year. Reviewing your ANOC letter ensures you are never surprised by unexpected cost increases or restricted provider access when you need care in January.
Official Administrative & Government Resources:
Credentials & Compliance
Written by: MediPlans NJ
Credentials: Licensed Independent Health & Medicare Insurance Advisors
Regulatory Compliance: Fully Compliant with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Guidelines
Editorial Integrity: MediPlans NJ provides transparent, unbiased evaluations across all Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D options. Our goal is to help you review your coverage each fall without sales pressure, ensuring your health needs and prescription drug requirements are fully protected for the upcoming year.
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