If you have Medicare coverage, you’ve probably already started seeing the mailers, TV ads, and phone calls pile up. That’s a sure sign that AEP — the Annual Enrollment Period — is right around the corner. This year, AEP runs from October 15 through December 7, and it’s one of the most important windows on the Medicare calendar.
Whether you’re happy with your current plan or not, AEP is worth paying attention to every single year. Here’s what you need to know before it opens, and how to get ahead of the rush.
What Is AEP, Exactly?
AEP — the Annual Enrollment Period — is the yearly window when people with Medicare can review, change, or switch their coverage. During this time, you can:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or vice versa
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Switch Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plans
- Enroll in, drop, or switch a Part D plan
Any changes made during AEP take effect January 1 of the following year.
Why “Nothing Changed” Doesn’t Mean You Should Skip Your Review
One of the most common misconceptions we hear is, “I didn’t get a notice, so I assume everything’s the same.” Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Even if you’re satisfied with your current plan, a few things can shift year to year without much warning:
- Drug formularies change. A medication that was covered last year may move to a different tier — or drop off the list entirely.
- Provider networks change. Doctors, specialists, and hospitals can move in or out of a plan’s network.
- Premiums and out-of-pocket costs adjust annually. What was affordable last year might look different in the new plan year.
This is especially relevant for anyone whose care team was recently affected by a network change, such as the LVHN and UnitedHealthcare Advantage split earlier this year. If your provider network was impacted, AEP is your opportunity to find a plan that keeps you connected to the doctors you trust.
Who Should Pay Close Attention This AEP
- Anyone currently on a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan — even if you think you’re happy with it
- Anyone whose doctor, hospital, or pharmacy network changed during the past year
- Anyone who’s had a change in health, medications, or budget since they last enrolled
- Adult children helping a parent manage their coverage, especially if you live out of town and want to make sure your parent’s plan still fits their needs
How Hitcho Makes AEP Simple
We know AEP can feel like a maze of mailers, ads, and confusing plan comparisons — that’s exactly why Hitcho Insurance exists. As an independent agency, we’re not tied to any single carrier, so our recommendations are based on what actually fits your needs, not a sales quota. We’re appointed with every major Medicare carrier in the region, which means we can compare your options honestly and side by side.
Every review we do follows our proprietary 4E process:
- Evaluate — We take a close look at your current plan, your health needs, your medications, and your budget.
- Educate — We walk you through your options in plain English, with no rush and no jargon.
- Endorse — We recommend the plan that genuinely fits your situation best — not the one that pays the highest commission.
- Enroll — If you decide to make a change, we handle the paperwork and the process for you.
As a veteran-owned, locally rooted agency serving the Lehigh Valley since 2004, we’ve spent over two decades helping people navigate exactly this kind of decision. There’s no cost to you for a consultation — carriers pay us directly, so the plan costs the same whether you go through us or straight to the carrier.
Get Ahead of the Rush
AEP gets busy fast, and appointment slots fill up as December 7 approaches. If you’d like a second set of eyes on your current coverage — or if you’re not sure where to start — now is the time to reach out.
Schedule your Medicare review today.
- Allentown office: (610) 694-9435 — 1245 S Cedar Crest Blvd, Suite 200, Allentown, PA 18103
- Kingston office: (570) 851-7676 — 480 Pierce St, Suite 320, Kingston, PA 18704
We’ll help you make sense of your options — the same way we have for our neighbors for over 22 years.