Medicare Plans
Medicare Annual Open Enrollment for Denver Seniors
Annual Open Enrollment, often called AEP, is the one stretch each year when almost anyone on Medicare can switch plans without needing a special reason. It runs October 15 through December 7, and whatever you pick takes effect January 1.
It's also mailer season, TV ad season, and unsolicited phone call season. Our advice: tune out the noise, look at your own drug list and doctors, and make one clear-headed decision.
- Runs October 15 through December 7 every year
- Whatever you pick starts January 1
- Check your drug list and your provider network first
- Free plan reviews for seniors across the Denver metro
What's allowed
What you can change during AEP
- Move from Original Medicare into a Medicare Advantage plan
- Move from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
- Swap one Medicare Advantage plan for another
- Join, drop, or change a standalone Part D drug plan
Medigap runs on a different clock
Medicare Supplement plans aren't part of AEP. In Colorado you can apply for a Medigap plan any time of year, but outside your one-time open enrollment window carriers may ask health questions.
Prepare
A quick review beats a marathon comparison
- 1
Read your Annual Notice of Change
Your current plan mails it every September. It lays out next year's premium, copays, drug tiers and network changes in one place.
- 2
Refresh your prescription list
Doses shift, new drugs get added. Bring the current version, since this drives the biggest chunk of your cost.
- 3
Confirm your doctors and hospital
Check Presbyterian/St. Luke's, Rose Medical Center, and your primary care office against next year's directory, not this year's.
- 4
Decide before Thanksgiving
December 7 doesn't move. Applications rushed in during the final days leave no room to fix a mistake.
Other windows
Missed December 7? Here's what's left
Advantage members get a second shot from January 1 through March 31 to make one more change, either to a different Advantage plan or back to Original Medicare with a Part D plan. Outside that, you'd need a Special Enrollment Period from something like moving out of your plan's service area or losing job-based coverage.
Brand new to Medicare? Your Initial Enrollment Period tied to turning 65 applies instead. Not sure which window you're in? See switching your plan.
Book your free Open Enrollment review
We review Denver-area clients every single fall, whether or not a change actually makes sense this year.