Medicare Plans
Medicare Annual Open Enrollment in Waco, TX
Annual Open Enrollment — sometimes called AEP — is the one stretch of the year when nearly everyone on Medicare can change plans without qualifying for anything. It runs from October 15 to December 7, and whatever you choose starts January 1.
It's also the season of mailers, television ads and unsolicited calls. Our advice: ignore the noise, look at your own drug list and doctors, and make one deliberate decision.
- October 15 through December 7 each year
- Changes take effect January 1
- Review your drug list and your network
- Free plan reviews for McLennan County seniors
What's allowed
Changes you can make during AEP
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Join, drop or change a standalone Part D drug plan
Medigap is different
Medicare Supplement plans are not part of AEP. In Texas you can apply for a Medigap plan any time, but outside your one-time open enrollment window the carrier may ask health questions.
Prepare
A short review beats a long comparison
- 1
Read your Annual Notice of Change
Your plan mails it each September. It lists next year's premium, copays, drug tiers and network changes in one place.
- 2
Update your prescription list
Doses change, drugs get added. Bring the current list — this is the single biggest driver of cost.
- 3
Confirm your doctors and hospital
Check Hillcrest, Providence and your primary care clinic against next year's directory, not this year's.
- 4
Decide before Thanksgiving
December 7 is a hard deadline. Applications submitted in the final days leave no room to fix an error.
Other windows
If you miss December 7
Advantage members get a second chance from January 1 to March 31 to make one change — either to a different Advantage plan or back to Original Medicare with a Part D plan. Outside of that, you'd need a Special Enrollment Period from a qualifying event like moving out of a plan's service area or losing employer coverage.
If you're new to Medicare entirely, your Initial Enrollment Period around turning 65 applies instead. Not sure which one you're in? See switching your plan.
Book your free Open Enrollment review
We review Waco clients every fall — whether or not a change makes sense this year.