Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Checklist for Florida Beneficiaries

AEP Is Your Annual Opportunity to Optimize Your Medicare Coverage

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. During this window, you can change your Medicare Advantage plan, switch between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare, or change your Part D drug plan. Changes take effect January 1 of the following year.

Many beneficiaries auto-renew without reviewing their plan — and pay the price when benefits change, premiums increase, or their medications become more expensive. This checklist helps you avoid that mistake.

Before AEP Starts: Gather Your Information

• ☐ Locate your Medicare card and current insurance cards
• ☐ Find your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) — mailed by your plan in September
• ☐ Create a current medication list: drug name, dosage, frequency, and preferred pharmacy
• ☐ List your current doctors: primary care, specialists, and any hospitals you prefer
• ☐ Note any upcoming procedures or treatments planned for next year
• ☐ Review your current year's out-of-pocket spending on healthcare and drugs

Review Your Current Plan

• ☐ Read your ANOC — note every change to premiums, cost-sharing, benefits, and network
• ☐ Check your plan's 2026 formulary for each of your medications
• ☐ Verify your doctors and hospitals are still in-network for 2026
• ☐ Review changes to dental, vision, hearing, and OTC benefits
• ☐ Check if your plan's star rating changed (CMS releases updated ratings in October)
• ☐ Confirm your plan is still available in your county for 2026

Compare Alternative Plans

• ☐ Use Medicare Plan Finder (medicare.gov/plan-compare) to see all available plans in your zip code
• ☐ Compare premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums
• ☐ Run a drug cost comparison for your specific medications across plan options
• ☐ Check provider networks for plans you're considering
• ☐ Review star ratings — plans with 4+ stars generally have better quality metrics
• ☐ Consider whether a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) might be a better fit for your situation

Make Your Decision

• ☐ If staying with your current plan: confirm you're satisfied with the 2026 changes — no action needed
• ☐ If switching plans: enroll in the new plan before December 7 (your old plan cancels automatically)
• ☐ If switching to Original Medicare: disenroll from your MA plan and enroll in a Medigap policy and Part D plan
• ☐ Confirm your enrollment was processed: you should receive a confirmation and new insurance card

After AEP: January 1 – March 31 (OEP)

If you missed AEP or want to make a change after January 1, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) gives you one more opportunity to switch MA plans or return to Original Medicare. You cannot use the OEP to switch from Original Medicare to an MA plan.

Get Help With Your AEP Review

At Integrity Health Solutions, we conduct free Medicare plan reviews during AEP for Pinellas County residents and Florida beneficiaries statewide. We compare your current plan against every available option in your zip code — including plans that may not appear prominently on Medicare Plan Finder.

Book your free AEP review — appointments fill up quickly in October and November.