Medicare Open Enrollment: a family primer

Each fall, Medicare has an Open Enrollment window when your parent can change their coverage, and reviewing it yearly can save real money and headaches. Here's the honest, non-salesy version.

What Open Enrollment is

During the fall Open Enrollment period (generally October 15 to December 7), people with Medicare can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Advantage or Part D drug plans, and make other coverage changes that take effect January 1. Confirm current dates at Medicare.gov.

Why it's worth an hour every year

• Drug plans change their covered-drug lists and prices every year; last year's best plan may not be this year's.
• A parent's medications and doctors change; the right plan follows the person, not the calendar.
• Advantage plan networks and extra benefits shift annually.

What we don't do

We deliberately don't sell or recommend Medicare plans. That's a regulated, commission-driven space we stay out of on purpose. This is just orientation so you know the window exists and where the honest, free help is.

Enrollment dates and rules are set by CMS and can change; verify current details at Medicare.gov or with a SHIP counselor. Educational only, not insurance advice.