# What are the Medicare AEP dates?

The Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7 each year. During AEP you can join, drop, or switch a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D prescription drug plan, with any changes taking effect January 1.

## What it means

- AEP is October 15 – December 7 every year.
- Changes made during AEP take effect January 1 of the following year.
- AEP is separate from the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31), which lets Advantage enrollees switch or return to Original Medicare.

## Action steps

1. Review your current plan's Annual Notice of Change before AEP starts.
2. Use the Medicare Plan Finder to compare plans available in your ZIP code.

## Risks & deadlines

- Miss December 7 and you generally have to wait until next AEP, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

## Sources

- [Joining a Medicare plan (medicare.gov)](https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/sign-up/joining-a-plan)

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Published: 2026-07-18T00:00:00+00:00
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Last verified: 2026-07-18
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