Part 10: Your 2026 Medicare Checklist — Dates, Deadlines & Smart Planning

🗓️ Your 2026 Medicare Checklist — Dates, Deadlines & Smart Planning

Medicare comes with important deadlines, enrollment periods, and yearly tasks that can save you money and prevent penalties.
This final chapter of the 2026 Medicare Made Simple series provides a clear, step-by-step checklist so you know exactly what to do and when to do it.

1️⃣ Key Medicare Dates for 2026

• January 1: New Medicare premiums, deductibles, and plan changes take effect.
• January–March: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (MA-OEP).
• October 1: Plans release 2027 pricing & benefits preview.
• October 15 – December 7: Annual Open Enrollment (AEP) for 2027 plans.
• December 31: Deadline to choose a plan for January 1 start.

2️⃣ Enrollment Periods You Must Know

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP):

• Starts 3 months before your 65th birthday month
• Includes your birthday month
• Ends 3 months after

General Enrollment Period (GEP): January 1 – March 31

Special Enrollment Periods (SEP): job change, loss of employer coverage, moving to a new service area, Medicaid approval, etc.

3️⃣ Your Annual Medicare To-Do List

• Review your Part D plan to ensure your medications are covered affordably.
• Check if your Medicare Advantage plan changed doctors or hospitals.
• Compare premiums and deductibles for the next year.
• Schedule your free Annual Wellness Visit.
• Verify coverage for preventive screenings and vaccines.
• Update your list of medications and share it with your doctor.

4️⃣ How to Avoid Penalties

• Enroll in Part B on time unless you have qualifying employer coverage.
• Always have continuous creditable drug coverage (Part D or employer).
• Notify Medicare when moving to avoid delays in coverage.
• If your income drops, request an IRMAA reconsideration (Form SSA-44).

5️⃣ Smart Planning Tips for 2026

• Use your Annual Wellness Visit to update your care plan.
• Check Extra Help or Medicare Savings Program eligibility annually.
• Keep a Medicare binder with EOBs, drug lists, and doctor notes.
• Ask whether switching from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare would lower long-term costs.

🔗 Helpful Links

• Medicare.gov — Official Site
• Social Security + Medicare Information

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