Medicare Plans
Medicare Open Enrollment in Tucson, AZ
Annual Open Enrollment, also called AEP, is the stretch of the year when almost anyone on Medicare can switch plans without a qualifying event. It runs from October 15 to December 7, and whatever you pick kicks in January 1.
It's also mailer season, TV ad season, and cold-call season. Our advice: tune out the noise, look at your own drug list and doctors, and make one clear-headed decision.
- Runs October 15 through December 7 every year
- Whatever you pick takes effect January 1
- Recheck your drug list and your hospital network
- Free plan reviews for Pima County retirees
What's allowed
Changes you're allowed to make during AEP
- Switch from Original Medicare into a Medicare Advantage plan
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
- Move from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Join, drop, or change a standalone Part D drug plan
Medigap runs on its own clock
Medicare Supplement plans aren't part of AEP. In Arizona you can apply for a Medigap plan at any point, but outside your one-time open enrollment window the carrier can ask health questions.
Prepare
A short checklist beats an endless comparison
- 1
Open your Annual Notice of Change
Your plan mails it every September. It spells out next year's premium, copays, drug tiers, and network changes in one document.
- 2
Refresh your prescription list
Doses shift, drugs get added. Bring the current list, since this is the single biggest driver of your total cost.
- 3
Check your doctors and hospital
Confirm Banner University Medical Center, TMC, or Northwest Medical Center are still in next year's directory, not just this year's.
- 4
Decide before Thanksgiving
December 7 is a hard cutoff. Applications submitted in the last few days leave no time to fix a mistake.
Other windows
What if you miss December 7?
Advantage members get a second shot from January 1 through March 31 to make one more change, either to a different Advantage plan or back to Original Medicare with a Part D plan attached. Outside that window, you'd need a Special Enrollment Period triggered by something like moving out of your plan's service area or losing employer coverage.
Brand new to Medicare? Your Initial Enrollment Period around turning 65 applies instead. Not sure which window you're in? See switching your plan.
Book your free Open Enrollment review
We review Tucson clients every autumn, whether or not a change turns out to make sense this year.