Use this Medicare checklist for open enrollment
Make sure you have the right Medicare plan in 2026.
Whether you’re looking for a Medicare Advantage plan with more coverage, higher quality or lower costs, you can only make changes to your Medicare coverage during certain times of the year. These are known as enrollment periods, and they take place just two times a year.
The two enrollment periods for making changes are Medicare open enrollment period and Medicare Advantage open enrollment period.
“Mark the enrollment period dates in your calendar,” says Don Truong, director of sales at Sharp Health Plan. “Many Medicare Advantage plans offer $0 monthly premiums, $0 doctor visits, comprehensive dental benefits, vision and hearing aid allowances, global travel assistance services and more. Missing these dates can mean missing out on extra coverage.”
Medicare Open Enrollment Period
Oct. 15 to Dec. 7
Changes you can make:
Change from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
Change from a Medicare Advantage plan back to original Medicare
Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan
Switch to a different Medicare drug plan
Join a Medicare drug plan
Drop your Medicare drug coverage completely
Your new coverage begins:
Jan. 1
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
Jan. 1 to March 31
Changes you can make:
People with Medicare Advantage can make one of the following changes:
Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan
Disenroll from your plan and return to original Medicare
During this period, people with original Medicare cannot:
Change to a Medicare Advantage plan
Join a Medicare drug plan
Switch to a different Medicare drug plan
Your new coverage begins:
The first day of the month after you ask to join a plan
Special circumstances allow you to make plan changes any time of the year
When certain events happen in your life, such as moving or leaving coverage from your employer or union, you get an opportunity to change your Medicare health and drug coverage. These opportunities are called “special enrollment periods.”
Many situations qualify you for a special enrollment period, and each situation has different rules. You can read details about special enrollment periods at Medicare.gov.
Look for quality when considering a new plan
Not all Medicare Advantage plans are the same. Medicare helps shoppers compare quality by assigning star ratings to Medicare health and drug plans.
"Shoppers should evaluate both Medicare's star ratings and the quality of the provider network offered by the plan," explains Truong. "By focusing on quality, you can rest assured that you will have access to the best health care services whenever you need them."
"Sharp Health Plan is the highest member-rated Medicare Advantage plan in California, and among the highest member-rated health plans for health care quality," he says. "It's great validation to our entire team that we're delivering the same benefits as Original Medicare and more at the highest level of quality."
Get help understanding your options
Free help is available to learn more about your Medicare health and drug coverage options. Truong recommends these trusted resources:
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Medicare is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. TTY and TDD users should call 1-877-486-2048.
Contact the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP). HICAP provides objective information and counseling about Medicare. Call California’s HICAP hotline at 1-800-434-0222 or contact the San Diego HICAP office at 858-565-8772 from 8 am to 5 pm on weekdays.
Read “Medicare & You 2026” Every fall, this booklet is mailed to people with Medicare. It has a summary of Medicare benefits, rights and protections, and answers to the most frequently asked questions about Medicare. You can get a copy of this booklet from Medicare.gov.
Reach out to Sharp Health Plan. Certified enrollment specialists are available to answer your questions and offer advice to help you find the best plan for your health needs. You can reach them by email or phone at 858-499-8232. Or go to sharpdirectadvantage.com for more information.
When shopping for Medicare, Truong recommends marking your calendar with Medicare’s enrollment dates. He also encourages you to remember that quality matters. It's important to get personalized help to find the right, most cost-effective plan for you.
Learn more about Medicare health insurance at Sharp HealthCare; get the latest health and wellness news, trends and patient stories from Sharp Health News.
You might also like:
Get the best of Sharp Health News in your inbox
Our weekly email brings you the latest health tips, recipes and stories.