Medicare Open Enrollment: A Caregiver's Checklist (2026)
By Michelle Harburg, Co-Founder, MediNav · Updated July 2026
October 15 to December 7 is the one window to review your parent's Medicare plan for next year. A simple caregiver checklist: what to check, what changes to watch for, and how to help them switch if a better plan exists.
Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7 every year. It's the main window to review or change your parent's Medicare Advantage or Part D plan for the year ahead, and even if their plan is fine, it's worth a look, because plans quietly change every year. Here's a caregiver's checklist to get it done.
Why review every year, even if nothing seems wrong
Plans change their premiums, drug lists, pharmacy and doctor networks, and extra benefits annually. A plan that fit your parent perfectly last year can get more expensive or drop one of their medications this year. Each September the plan mails an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) that spells out exactly what's different for the coming year, that's your starting point.
The checklist
1) Find the Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage. 2) Check that every one of your parent's medications is still covered, and at the same cost tier. 3) Confirm their doctors and pharmacy are still in network. 4) Compare the total expected yearly cost, premium plus drug costs plus copays, not just the monthly premium. 5) Check the extra benefits they use (dental, vision, OTC allowance). 6) If a clearly better plan exists, help them switch before December 7.
Where to compare plans neutrally
Use Medicare's official Plan Compare tool at medicare.gov, it's neutral and has no salesperson. Be cautious with ads and cold calls from brokers paid on commission; if you want a completely neutral second opinion, a free SHIP counselor (1-800-MEDICARE) can help.
Re-check the money-saving programs while you're at it
Open Enrollment is a natural moment to re-check whether your parent now qualifies for Extra Help or a Medicare Savings Program, limits change, and their situation may have too. Qualifying can also open a special enrollment period outside the normal window.
How to actually make the change
Changes are made through medicare.gov or directly with the plan, by December 7, and take effect January 1. To review and enroll on your parent's behalf, have the authorization forms (CMS-10106 and, if needed, CMS-1696) on file so you're not blocked partway through.
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When is Medicare Open Enrollment?
The Annual Enrollment Period is October 15 to December 7 each year. Changes you make take effect the following January 1.
Should I switch my parent's plan if nothing seems wrong?
Review it anyway. Plans change premiums, drug coverage, and networks every year, so a plan that was a great fit can quietly become a worse one. The plan's Annual Notice of Change, mailed in September, shows what's changing.
Can I change my parent's Medicare plan for them?
You can compare plans and help them enroll through medicare.gov or the plan. To act on their behalf, have the Medicare authorization forms (CMS-10106, and CMS-1696 for appeals) on file.
What is the Annual Notice of Change?
It's the letter your parent's Medicare Advantage or Part D plan mails each September explaining how the plan's costs, drug list, and benefits will change for the coming year, the best starting point for an Open Enrollment review.
Updated July 2026. Sources: Medicare.gov, SSA, CMS (2026). Estimates, verify with SSA and your state.