--- title: "Medicare Open Enrollment Checklist 2026 | Medicare Blog" description: "Don't miss important deadlines! Use this comprehensive checklist to navigate Medicare Annual Enrollment Period and make the best choices for your healthcare." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://dalton-insuranceagency.com/blog/medicare-open-enrollment-checklist#article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://dalton-insuranceagency.com/blog/medicare-open-enrollment-checklist" }, "headline": "Medicare Open Enrollment Checklist 2026", "alternativeHeadline": "Medicare Open Enrollment Checklist 2026", "description": "Don't miss important deadlines! Use this comprehensive checklist to navigate Medicare Annual Enrollment Period and make the best choices for your healthcare.", "image": [ "https://dalton-insuranceagency.com/favicon-dia-preview.png" ], "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Medicare Advisory Team", "jobTitle": "Licensed Medicare Advisor", "telephone": "+1-334-489-3624", "url": "https://dalton-insuranceagency.com/tyler-dalton-author", "affiliation": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Dalton Insurance Agency" } }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Dalton Insurance Agency", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://dalton-insuranceagency.com/favicon-dia-preview.png" }, "url": "https://dalton-insuranceagency.com" }, "datePublished": "2025-09-05T00:00:00+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-03-09T04:50:32.507178+00:00", "articleSection": "Enrollment", "keywords": "Enrollment, Medicare, Annual Enrollment Period, Medicare Advantage, Alabama", "inLanguage": "en", "wordCount": 218, "articleBody": "\n Your Complete Medicare Open Enrollment Checklist\n The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Here's your step-by-step checklist to make the most of this important period.\n\n Before October 15\n \n Review your current plan's Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)\n List your current medications and dosages\n Note your preferred doctors and hospitals\n Gather your current healthcare expenses and receipts\n Check if you", "about": [ { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Medicare Advantage", "sameAs": "https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/types-of-medicare-health-plans/medicare-advantage-plans" }, { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Medigap", "sameAs": "https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/whats-medicare-supplement-insurance-medigap" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "InsuranceAgency", "@id": "https://dalton-insuranceagency.com/#business", "name": "Dalton Insurance Agency", "url": "https://dalton-insuranceagency.com", "telephone": "+1-334-489-3624", "image": "https://dalton-insuranceagency.com/favicon-dia-preview.png", "description": "Independent Medicare brokerage serving Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Louisiana, and Illinois.", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "221 E South Street", "addressLocality": "Dadeville", "addressRegion": "AL", "postalCode": "36853", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 32.8312, "longitude": -85.7636 }, "openingHoursSpecification": { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens": "08:00", "closes": "17:00" }, "areaServed": [ { "@type": "State", "name": "Alabama" }, { "@type": "State", "name": "Georgia" }, { "@type": "State", "name": "Florida" }, { "@type": "State", "name": "Tennessee" }, { "@type": "State", "name": "Mississippi" }, { "@type": "State", "name": "South Carolina" }, { "@type": "State", "name": "North Carolina" }, { "@type": "State", "name": "Louisiana" }, { "@type": "State", "name": "Illinois" } ], "priceRange": "Free Consultations", "sameAs": [ "https://www.facebook.com/DALTONINSURANCEAGENCY1/", "https://www.instagram.com/drtylerdalton/", "https://x.com/drtylerdalton" ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Tyler Dalton", "honorificPrefix": "Dr.", "honorificSuffix": "PharmD", "jobTitle": "Founder and Licensed Insurance Broker", "worksFor": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Dalton Insurance Agency" }, "url": "https://dalton-insuranceagency.com/about/tyler-dalton", "image": "https://dalton-insuranceagency.com/tyler-headshot.jpg", "telephone": "+1-334-489-3624", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "Dadeville", "addressRegion": "AL", "addressCountry": "US" }, "hasCredential": [ { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "credentialCategory": "degree", "name": "Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)" }, { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "credentialCategory": "license", "name": "Licensed Insurance Broker" } ], "knowsAbout": [ "Medicare Advantage", "Medicare Supplement Plans", "Medigap", "Part D Prescription Drug Plans", "Medicare Enrollment", "Alabama Medicare" ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://dalton-insuranceagency.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://dalton-insuranceagency.com/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Enrollment", "item": "https://dalton-insuranceagency.com/blog?category=Enrollment" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Medicare Open Enrollment Checklist 2026", "item": "https://dalton-insuranceagency.com/blog/medicare-open-enrollment-checklist" } ] } ] --- [Call Now: (334) 489-3624 ](tel:13344893624)Free Medicare Consultation Free Consult [ Dalton Insurance Medicare & Wealth Advisors ](/) - [Home](/) - Medicare - Retirement & Wealth - Resources - [About Us](/about) [(334) 489-3624](tel:13344893624)[Book Appointment](/appointments) 1. [Home ](/) 2. [Blog](/blog) 3. [Enrollment](/blog?category=Enrollment) 4. Medicare Open Enrollment Checklist 2026 [Back to Blog](/blog) September 5, 2025 6 min read Medicare Advisory Team # Medicare Open Enrollment Checklist 2026 Don't miss important deadlines! Use this comprehensive checklist to navigate Medicare Annual Enrollment Period and make the best choices for your healthcare. Share this article [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdalton-insuranceagency.com%2Fblog%2Fmedicare-open-enrollment-checklist)[Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdalton-insuranceagency.com%2Fblog%2Fmedicare-open-enrollment-checklist&description=Medicare%20Open%20Enrollment%20Checklist%202026)[Text](sms:?body=Medicare%20Open%20Enrollment%20Checklist%202026%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fdalton-insuranceagency.com%2Fblog%2Fmedicare-open-enrollment-checklist)[Email](mailto:?subject=Medicare%20Open%20Enrollment%20Checklist%202026&body=I%20thought%20you%20might%20find%20this%20helpful%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fdalton-insuranceagency.com%2Fblog%2Fmedicare-open-enrollment-checklist)Copy Link[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdalton-insuranceagency.com%2Fblog%2Fmedicare-open-enrollment-checklist)[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdalton-insuranceagency.com%2Fblog%2Fmedicare-open-enrollment-checklist&text=Medicare%20Open%20Enrollment%20Checklist%202026) ## Your Complete Medicare Open Enrollment Checklist The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Here's your step-by-step checklist to make the most of this important period. ### Before October 15 - Review your current plan's Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) - List your current medications and dosages - Note your preferred doctors and hospitals - Gather your current healthcare expenses and receipts - Check if your doctors will remain in-network next year ### During AEP (October 15 - December 7) - Compare Medicare Advantage plans in your area - Review Part D prescription drug plans - Check for new benefits or plan changes - Calculate total yearly costs including premiums, deductibles, and copays - Verify your prescriptions are covered under potential new plans - Enroll in your chosen plan before December 7 ### After Enrollment - Confirm you receive your new plan materials by mail - Mark January 1 on your calendar when new coverage begins - Update your doctors' offices with your new insurance information - Save all enrollment confirmation documents ### Don't Forget About Special Enrollment Periods You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you experience certain life events. Learn more in our article about [Medicare Advantage plans](/blog/understanding-medicare-advantage-2025). ### Official Resources - [Medicare.gov Sign Up Information](https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/sign-up/when-sign-up-for-medicare) - [Medicare Plan Comparison Tool](https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare) Need help navigating the enrollment process? Our family-run advisory service is here to help. [Schedule your free consultation](/#contact) today. 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With expertise in Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D plans,Medicare provides personalized guidance to help you find the best coverage for your needs. [View Full Bio →](/about/tyler-dalton) ## Join Our Free Medicare 101 Webinar Learn everything you need to know about Medicare in our comprehensive educational webinar. Perfect for those new to Medicare or reviewing their options. [Sign Up for Free Webinar →](https://go.daltoninsurance.biz) ## Need Personalized Guidance? Our licensed Medicare advisors are here to help you navigate your coverage options. Schedule a free consultation today. [Schedule Free Consultation](/#contact) ## Get Medicare Tips Delivered to Your Inbox Join 5,000+ Alabama seniors receiving expert Medicare guidance and updates. Plus, get our free Medicare Enrollment Checklist PDF when you subscribe. Subscribe Free 🔒 We never share your information. Unsubscribe anytime. 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