Medicare Open Enrollment: what to review before you change anything

By James Brazil

James Brazil lives in Mérida, Mexico. He founded Swift Agent Sites and studied Classics at the University of Mississippi.

Published 4 November 2026 · Updated 4 November 2026

Not personalized advice

Insurance: Medicare & retirement

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from 15 October to 7 December each year. It is the main window most people use to switch between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan, or to change their Part D prescription drug coverage for the following year.

In Idaho, roughly 407,000 people were enrolled in Medicare in 2025, and about half of them are in Medicare Advantage plans. The Idaho Department of Insurance encourages beneficiaries to review coverage during this period rather than assuming last year’s plan is still the best fit.

What usually changes

• Plan premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket amounts can shift from one year to the next.
• Drug formularies and pharmacy networks can change.
• Provider networks on Medicare Advantage plans are not static.

What usually does not change

• Your eligibility for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not reset during Open Enrollment.
• Guaranteed issue rights for Medigap policies are limited and state-specific. Idaho has a birthday rule that lets many people switch Medigap policies around their birthday without medical underwriting.

Talk to a local agent

For help comparing plans in the Eagle, Idaho area, The Eagle Team at American Senior Benefits serves Idaho, Oregon, and Wyoming with a focus on Medicare, long-term care, and life insurance. Visit eagleasb.com or see the full agent note and Idaho Medicare context on the insurance page.