When is Medicare Renewal?

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans goes from Oct. 15 – Dec. 7. If your plan if being offered next year, your Medicare coverage will renew automatically. During AEP, you can make changes to your plan.

How can I prepare for Medicare Renewal?

There are currently no actions to take for Medicare Renewal. Here’s how to prepare when it’s time for Medicare Renewal.

Review your Annual Notice of Changes document

Your Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC) document for your current Medicare Advantage plan will typically be available by signing in to your member site in September. This document will outline changes to your benefits for the following year, such as copays and coinsurance.

Compare your benefits on the Prepare for Next Year page

The Prepare for Next Year page will typically be available by signing in on your member site and mobile app in October. On the Prepare for Next Year page, you can compare your current benefits and next year’s benefits side-by-side, confirm your doctors are in-network, understand your drug coverage and more.

Check your prescription drug coverage

Look for updates to your prescription drug coverage and see if there are any changes to Medicare Part D, so you’ll know what to expect in the coming year.

Supporting you through your Medicare journey

Learn why 4 out of 5 Medicare members plan to stay with UnitedHealthcare and renew their plan each year.2

Support that matters: Garry and Vicki’s experience

Frequently asked questions about 2026 Medicare Advantage Renewal

You can make changes to your Medicare coverage during a few key times each year.

Medicare enrollment periods

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP):

Oct. 15 – Dec. 7

 This is your opportunity to make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan. Your new plan will be effective Jan. 1, whether you stay in your current plan or switch to a different one.

Open Enrollment Period:

Jan. 1 – March 31

 During this time, Medicare Advantage plan members can revisit their plan choices and choose to make a coverage change. You can only make one change to your coverage during this period. Your coverage will be effective the first of the next month.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP):

Varies

 Current Medicare enrollees may qualify for a unique 2-month Special Enrollment Period to switch to a different Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan due to a qualifying event. An example would be if your plan is closing and is no longer offered next year.
Learn more about Medicare enrollment periods

Great news. If your current plan is being offered next year, your coverage will automatically renew. If you’re happy with this plan, you don’t need to do anything during AEP.

Your Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC) will typically be available by signing in to your member site in September. It will tell you about changes to your benefits, including what’s new next year. Reviewing your ANOC may help you avoid surprises.

Typically, starting in October, you can also view the Prepare for Next Year page on your member site and mobile app. This page helps you compare your current benefits and next year’s benefits side-by-side, confirm your doctors are in-network, understand your drug coverage and more.

To confirm that your provider is currently in-network, search for your provider online, or use the Prepare for Next Year page on your member site when it becomes available in October.

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Named a Best Insurance Company

Named a Best Insurance Company

Medicare Advantage 2026 by U.S. News and World Report two years in a row.3

Want to connect with an expert to ask questions about your 2026 Medicare Advantage plan?

Sign in to your member site to chat online with an advocate. If you’d like to talk to someone, call the number on your UCard.

Looking for enrollment information for other types of plans?

Learn more about health plan enrollment