Medicare Open Enrollment Starts Today. Here Are 4 Things You Need To Know

Open enrollment for Medicare health and drug plans begins Wednesday, and most American seniors will notice that their 2026 Medicare plan prices and coverage have changed.

Enrollment for Medicare is open until Dec. 7. During this time, Medicare enrollees can switch between Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and a Medicare Advantage plan, which private insurance companies distribute. They can also add a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, which helps Americans afford their medication.

1. Shutdown Won’t Stop Open Enrollment, But Applicants Could Face Delays

Medicare enrollment applications are accepted during a government shutdown, but enrollees with questions may need to wait until the government reopens.

The shutdown began on October 1 amid congressional debates about healthcare and is still ongoing. While essential Medicare functions, such as open enrollment and coverage of health care costs, continue during a shutdown, almost half of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services workers have been furloughed.

That means there are fewer workers to help enrollees with any specific questions, increasing wait times at offices and on the phone.

2. Medicare Advantage Premiums Will Be Cheaper, But Other Costs Will Rise

In good news for enrollees, premiums for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D prescription drug plans are expected to be lower in 2026. However, this could be offset by increased costs for Medicare Part B and Part D.

The average premium for a Medicare Advantage plan is expected to fall by 14.6% and the typical premium for Standalone Part D will cost 9.9% less, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced.

However, other program costs are increasing. Medicare Part B premiums are expected to rise by 11.6% in 2026. The out-of-pocket maximum on Part D is also rising from $2,000 to $2,100, so seniors will have to pay more for their prescription drugs in 2026.

3. Some Medicare Advantage Insurers Are Pulling Back on Their Medicare Advantage Plans

Many major health insurers have pulled back on the Medicare Advantage plans they are offering for 2026.

These companies, which include Aetna, CVS Health, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Anthem, as well as several smaller insurers, have stopped offering Medicare plans because they are becoming too expensive. Although in some densely populated areas or ones with bigger senior populations, insurers are adding Medicare Advantage plans.

If your Medicare Advantage plan was canceled, you can pick a new one during the open enrollment period or switch to Original Medicare. You can determine what is still available in your area using the Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov. If you do not pick a new plan by the new year, you will automatically be placed in Original Medicare.

4. You Should Have Received a Notice About Any Medicare Coverage Changes From Your Insurer

If you were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage and Part D plan this year, you should have received a Medicare Annual Notice of Change, also called ANOC, by last month to keep up with the many price and offering changes.

This document, sent by mail or email, will notify you about any changes in costs or coverage. The ANOC will also inform you if your Medicare Advantage plan was dropped.

If you did not receive a notice or threw it away, all insurers will have their ANOC listed on their website. If your plan has changed, the open enrollment period is the best time to compare other plans and determine if your current plan is worth staying on.