Every fall, Medicare beneficiaries can review and change their Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) from October 15 to December 7.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan and Medicare Advantage Plan costs, benefits, covered prescriptions and provider networks can change each year. Following the 2025 cap on prescription drug copayments, and new price negotiations on 10 high-cost sole-source drugs starting in 2026, many plans are significantly adjusting their benefits and coverage options. This is a critical time to read all mail from your plan or provider and stay informed of possible changes.
Medicare beneficiaries receive an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) each September from their
Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan. This is a summary of any changes in the plan that will take effect on January 1 of the next year (i.e. premium cost, coverage, copays, and service area). Some beneficiaries will also receive notice that their plan may not continue next year, and they will need to find a new plan during the Open Enrollment Period.
If a Medicare beneficiary is happy with current coverage after reviewing plan changes and options for the year ahead, no action is necessary during Open Enrollment – they will automatically be re-enrolled for the following year, as long as their Part D or Medicare Advantage plan has not been cancelled.
However, it is smart to always compare the current plan to other options available for the year ahead.
2026 plan details for the year ahead can be found at: Medicare.gov/plan-compare. Through the Medicare.gov Plan Finder, Medicare beneficiaries can see and compare plan options available in their zip code in 2026, even incorporating their specific prescriptions and pharmacies.
Resources are available to help compare plan options. The Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) provide free, confidential, and unbiased one-on-one Medicare counseling through the Iowa Insurance Division through the support of federal funding.
“Navigating the Open Enrollment Period can seem daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone,” said Kristin Griffith, Director of the Iowa Insurance Division’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). “We have well-trained and certified SHIIP-SMP counselors across the state equipped to help you with this process. The SHIIP-SMP program has a track record of saving Iowans money and helping with Medicare questions and problems.”
In 2024, the program served more than 52,000 Medicare beneficiaries and saved clients in Iowa tens of millions of dollars.
Iowans seeking assistance can visit shiip.iowa.gov to find a counselor in their county or find additional information on how to compare plans at shiip.iowa.gov/medicare-open-enrollment-period. The SHIIP-
SMP consumer help line at 1-800-351-4664 can also answer general Medicare questions and provide the phone numbers for local SHIIP/SMP sites in Iowa.
Help from Medicare is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except some federal holidays, at 1- 800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
Key dates to remember:
- October 15: Open enrollment begins
- December 7: Open enrollment closes
- January 1: 2026 Coverage begins
For more information contact:
Audubon County Memorial Hospital and Clinics Ana Kauffman, SHIIP Counselor
(712) 563-5309
This article was submitted by State of Iowa Insurance Division. 10/14/2025
