Already on Medicare?
Still a good fit? Start with these four checks.
Doctors
Supplement (Medigap)
With Original Medicare and a standard Medicare supplement, you can see any doctor or use any hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare.
Medicare Advantage
Check your specific plan’s network and out-of-network rules with the plan and provider.
Medicines
Standalone Part D
A separate drug plan for Original Medicare, with or without a Medicare supplement.
Medicare Advantage
Most plans include Part D drug coverage. Compare your medicines, pharmacy, and costs.
Costs
Compare premiums, deductibles, copays, and the care you expect to use.
Travel
Check coverage when you travel, move, or live elsewhere part of the year.
Bring your plan cards, medicine list, and latest change notices.
Drug coverage & enrollmentCompare medicines · check your dates
Two ways to get Part D
Original Medicare: Choose a standalone Part D plan, with or without a Medicare supplement. Medigap policies sold after 2005 do not include prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Advantage: Most plans include Part D. Check your current plan before adding a separate drug plan; doing so can end your Medicare Advantage enrollment and return you to Original Medicare.
Check each prescription
- Match your exact medicines and doses to the plan’s covered drug list, called a formulary.
- Check your pharmacy and compare total yearly costs: premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
- Look for prior approval, quantity limits, or a requirement to try another medicine first.
Compare drug coverage options ↗ · Check drug coverage rules ↗
Enrollment dates
You can generally join Part D during your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period. You need Part A or Part B to join a standalone drug plan.
Join, switch, or drop Part D or Medicare Advantage coverage. Changes take effect January 1.
For people already in Medicare Advantage: switch Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare and join Part D. This is not a general window for switching standalone Part D plans.
A move, loss of creditable coverage, Medicaid, or Extra Help may allow changes at other times. Eligibility and deadlines vary.
Avoid a gap in drug coverage
After your Initial Enrollment Period, going 63 days or more without Part D or other creditable drug coverage may mean an ongoing late-enrollment penalty. Creditable coverage is expected to pay at least as much as standard Medicare drug coverage.
Confirm your enrollment window and new plan’s start date before ending current coverage.
Considering Medigap?Check eligibility before changing
With Original Medicare and a standard Medicare supplement, you can see any doctor or use any hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare.
Fall Open Enrollment does not guarantee you can buy Medigap. Outside your protected enrollment window, health questions may apply.
Before leaving Medicare Advantage, confirm your Medigap eligibility, approval, cost, and start date.
Helpful resourcesPlan Finder & local counseling
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General education. Confirm your dates and coverage before making a change. Reviewed September 9, 2026.