Medicare Annual Enrollment 2026: Newark, OH Review Guide
Every fall, you get a chance to take a fresh look at your Medicare coverage. The 2026 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026, and any changes you make take effect January 1, 2027.
If you live in Newark, Heath, Granville, Pataskala, or anywhere in Licking County, this guide walks you through what to review, what can change from year to year, and how to make a confident decision before the deadline.
What Is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?
The Annual Enrollment Period, sometimes called Medicare Open Enrollment, is the yearly window when you can make changes to your Medicare health and drug coverage. Between October 15 and December 7, you can:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Join, switch, or drop a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan
- Add or drop drug coverage within Medicare Advantage
If you make more than one change during AEP, the last one made by December 7 is generally the one that takes effect on January 1.
One important note: AEP is not the main enrollment window for Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance. You can apply for a Medigap policy at other times of year, but outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, insurers in Ohio may ask health questions and can decline coverage or charge more.
Why a Yearly Review Matters
It's tempting to keep the same plan year after year. But Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can change every year. Even if you love your plan, the version of it in 2027 might look different from the one you have now.
Things that can change include:
- Premiums, deductibles, and copays
- Drug lists (formularies), including which drugs are covered and which tier they're on
- Provider networks, meaning doctors, specialists, and hospitals can join or leave
- Pharmacy networks and preferred pharmacies
- Extra benefits, which may be added, changed, or removed
- Coverage rules, like prior authorization or referral requirements
Your own life can change, too. A new diagnosis, a new prescription, a move, or a new doctor can all affect which coverage fits you best.
Your AEP Review Checklist
Here's what we suggest Newark-area seniors review before December 7.
1. Read Your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
If you're in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, your plan sends an Annual Notice of Change each fall. It explains what's changing for 2027. Look for changes to costs, your drugs, and your doctors. If you can't find yours, contact your plan.
2. Check Your Prescriptions
Make a complete list of your medications, including the dose and how often you take them. Then confirm that each one is covered on your plan's 2027 formulary, which tier it's on, and whether any restrictions apply. A drug that's covered this year may not be next year.
Also ask whether the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan might help you. It's an option that lets you spread out what you pay for covered drugs across monthly payments during the year, rather than paying it all at the pharmacy counter. It doesn't lower your total costs, but it may make them easier to manage.
3. Confirm Your Doctors and Hospitals
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check that your primary care doctor, your specialists, and the hospitals you prefer in Newark, Columbus, or elsewhere in Central Ohio are still in-network for 2027. Network changes are one of the most common surprises in January.
4. Review Your Pharmacy
Make sure your pharmacy is still in-network and, if it matters to you, still preferred.
5. Look at Your Total Costs, Not Just the Premium
A plan with a lower monthly premium isn't always the lower-cost choice overall. Think about deductibles, copays, coinsurance, drug costs, and the plan's maximum out-of-pocket limit.
6. See Whether You Qualify for Extra Help
If your income and resources are limited, you may qualify for Extra Help with Part D costs or for a Medicare Savings Program through Ohio Medicaid. These programs can make a meaningful difference, and they're worth checking every year.
After AEP: The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
What if you make a choice during AEP and then realize in January that it isn't the right fit? If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you have another opportunity.
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) runs from January 1 through March 31, 2027. During this window, people already in a Medicare Advantage plan can make one change:
- Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, with or without drug coverage, or
- Drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare, with the option to join a stand-alone Part D plan
Changes made during the MA OEP take effect the first day of the month after the plan receives your request. Keep in mind that the MA OEP can't be used to move from Original Medicare into Medicare Advantage, or to switch Part D plans if you're on Original Medicare.
Protect Yourself During Enrollment Season
Fall is also a busy season for scams. A few reminders:
- Medicare will not call you uninvited to sell you a plan or ask for your Medicare number.
- Be cautious with anyone who pressures you to decide on the spot.
- Keep your Medicare number private, the same way you would your Social Security number.
- If something feels off, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Medicare Annual Enrollment for 2027 coverage?
The Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes you make during that window take effect January 1, 2027.
Do I need to review my Medicare plan if I'm happy with it?
It's a good idea. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can change costs, drug lists, and provider networks each year. Reviewing your Annual Notice of Change helps you confirm your plan still fits your needs.
What if I change my mind after December 7?
If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 through March 31, 2027. You can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare and join a stand-alone Part D plan.
Can I switch Medigap plans during Annual Enrollment?
The Annual Enrollment Period doesn't apply to Medigap. You can apply for a Medigap policy at other times, but outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, insurers may use health questions and can decline coverage or charge more.
Where can I get Medicare help in Newark, Ohio?
Health Shield Insurance is an independent agency based in Newark. Call 740-272-5655, Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM ET, to review your coverage and compare the plans we offer in Licking County, or request a quote at healthshieldusa.com/medicare.
Schedule Your AEP Review Before December 7
Health Shield Insurance is an independent agency based in Newark, Ohio. Our founder, Dalton Alexander, is licensed in 37 states (NPN 20315737). We'll sit down with you, go through your doctors and prescriptions, and compare the plans we offer in Licking County so you can make an informed decision. Learn more on our Medicare page or visit our About & Contact page.
The calendar moves quickly in the fall, and appointment times fill up as December approaches. Call Health Shield Insurance at 740-272-5655, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM ET, or email [email protected]. You can also request a quote on our Medicare page.
Written by Dalton Alexander, licensed insurance agent, Health Shield Insurance, Newark, Ohio. NPN 20315737. Licensed in 37 states.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
