What can consumers do during the AEP?

During the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), consumers have the opportunity to make significant changes to their Medicare coverage. This includes enrolling in or disenrolling from a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan or a standalone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP). The broad scope of this choice allows beneficiaries to reassess their health care needs and make adjustments that can best suit their circumstances for the upcoming year.

While consumers can indeed switch MA plans, opt for a PDP, or adjust their primary care provider outside of the AEP timeframe under specific conditions, the AEP is specifically focused on the enrollment and disenrollment processes associated with MA and PDP plans. This makes the ability to enroll in or disenroll from these plans during the AEP a central aspect of Medicare’s annual review and selection process for beneficiaries, ensuring they have the coverage that aligns best with their healthcare needs.