Medicare annual open enrollment period Oct. 15 to Dec. 7

The annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. During this time, individuals can disenroll from, change, or enroll in Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plans. Beneficiary plan elections made during the Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period are effective beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Medicare Annual Open Enrollment options are as follows:

• Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan from either a Medicare Drug Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan. 

• Enroll in a Medicare Drug Plan from either a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Drug Plan. 

• Enroll in either a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Drug Plan. 

• Disenroll from a Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare. (Beneficiaries may not have Guaranteed Issue Rights to purchase a Medicare Supplement Policy). 

To enroll or change Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plans, you may contact the preferred plan’s insurance company directly, call 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227), or visit Medicare.Gov. You can also contact Patrick Smothers, elder benefit specialist, at the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Vilas County at 715-479-3625. He can provide helpful guidance and assistance about Medicare-related health insurance coverage in Wisconsin.