Medicare Open Enrollment 2026 in Port St. Lucie: Dates, Deadlines, and What Every St. Lucie County Resident Needs to Know Before December 7

July 26, 2026

Here is something most Port St. Lucie residents on Medicare do not know: every one of the 44 Medicare Advantage plans available in St. Lucie County right now can legally change its costs, drop your doctor from its network, and remove a drug from its formulary — all at the same time — starting January 1, 2027. And the only window you have to do something about it closes at midnight on December 7.

That window is called the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. It runs from October 15 through December 7 every year. According to CMS.gov, Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year — things like cost, coverage, and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks. If you do not review your plan during this window and make changes if needed, you are locked into your current coverage for the entire following year.

This guide tells you exactly what AEP is, what you can change, what you cannot change, what Port St. Lucie residents specifically need to watch before October 15, and how to use the official Medicare Plan Finder to compare every plan available in your specific zip code — all in plain language with no sales pitch.

Key Takeaways

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7 every year. Changes take effect January 1. Source: Medicare.gov
During AEP you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, switch Part D drug plans, or join a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time. Source: Medicare.gov
AEP does NOT apply to Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans — Medigap has completely separate enrollment rules in Florida. Source: Medicare.gov
Every September your plan must mail you an Annual Notice of Change — read it before AEP opens October 15 or you are flying blind going into the most important 54 days of your Medicare year.
Missing the December 7 deadline locks you into your current coverage for all of 2027 unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Source: Medicare.gov
Compare every plan available at your Port St. Lucie zip code right now at the Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov.

What Is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?

According to Medicare.gov, Open Enrollment happens from October 15 through December 7 and is the time each year when you can make changes to your Medicare coverage. The changes you make during Open Enrollment are effective January 1 of the following year. The plan must receive your enrollment request by December 7.

According to CMS.gov, October 15 to December 7 is when all people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet their needs. This is the primary annual opportunity to make changes — and for most people on Medicare it is the only time of year they can switch plans without a qualifying life event.

The reason AEP exists is straightforward. According to CMS.gov, Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year — things like cost, coverage, and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks. Without an annual review window, people would have no systematic opportunity to respond to those changes. A plan that worked perfectly for you in 2026 may have raised its specialist copay, dropped your doctor from its network, or removed your medication from its formulary for 2027 — and you would have no way to respond until the following October.

AEP is not the same as the Initial Enrollment Period, which applies to people turning 65 for the first time. If you are already on Medicare and want to change your coverage, AEP is your primary window. If you are new to Medicare, you enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period. Our guide Turning 65 in Port St. Lucie covers the first-time enrollment process in full detail.

What You CAN Change During AEP

According to Medicare.gov, during Open Enrollment you can make any of the following changes — all taking effect January 1:

Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan. If you are currently on Original Medicare and want to move to a Medicare Advantage plan that includes dental, vision, and drug coverage, AEP is your primary window. Our guide Medicare Advantage Plans in Port St. Lucie explains exactly what these plans cover, what they cost, and which carriers are active in St. Lucie County in 2026.

Switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare. If your Medicare Advantage plan is no longer working for you — your doctor left the network, costs increased significantly, or prior authorization is creating problems — AEP allows you to return to Original Medicare. Before you do this in Florida, understand the Medigap underwriting rules. According to Medicare.gov, in most cases you will not be able to switch your Medigap policy outside your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period except in specific situations when you have a guaranteed issue right. Start that process in September — not December.

Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another. If you want to stay on Medicare Advantage but change carriers or plan types — for example from an HMO to a PPO — AEP allows that switch. According to Medicare.gov, you can join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage plan during Open Enrollment.

Join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan. According to Medicare.gov, you can join, drop, or switch to another Medicare drug plan if you are in Original Medicare. If your current drug plan raised its premium, dropped a drug from its formulary, or no longer covers your preferred pharmacy, AEP is your window to switch. Our guide Extra Help with Medicare Part D covers the program that saves qualifying Port St. Lucie residents up to $5,700 a year on drug costs.

What You CANNOT Change During AEP

AEP is powerful but it has limits that trip people up every year.

AEP does not apply to Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans. This is the single most common AEP misconception in Port St. Lucie and across the country. Medigap plans have completely separate enrollment rules. According to Medicare.gov, in most cases you will not be able to switch your Medigap policy outside your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period except in specific situations when you have a guaranteed issue right. The fall AEP does not give you a guaranteed right to switch Medigap plans. Our guide Medicare Supplement Plans in Port St. Lucie covers Florida’s specific Medigap rules in full detail.

AEP does not cover Medicare Parts A and B. You cannot use AEP to enroll in or make changes to your Original Medicare Part A or Part B coverage. Those have their own separate enrollment periods.

AEP is not for people new to Medicare. According to Medicare.gov, you can only join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare drug plan at certain times called enrollment periods. If you are turning 65, your enrollment happens through your Initial Enrollment Period — not AEP.

The Annual Notice of Change: Your Most Important September Mail

Every September — before AEP opens — your current Medicare plan is required to mail you an Annual Notice of Change. According to CMS.gov, people in a Medicare health or prescription drug plan should always review the materials their plans send them, like the Evidence of Coverage and Annual Notice of Change. If their plans are changing, they should make sure their plans will still meet their needs for the following year.

The ANOC discloses every change your plan is making for the coming year — premium increases, changes to your drug formulary, provider network changes, benefit adjustments, and copay changes. Most people in Port St. Lucie throw this letter away without reading it. That is one of the most expensive mistakes a Medicare beneficiary can make.

Your plan can raise your specialist copay from $30 to $50. It can remove your medication from the formulary entirely. It can drop your hospital from its network. Every one of those changes is disclosed in the ANOC — and AEP is your one window per year to respond.

Pro Tip: When your ANOC arrives in September, check three things immediately — your drug list, your doctor’s name, and your out-of-pocket maximum. If any of those three changed, use AEP to compare alternatives at the Medicare Plan Finder before December 7.

All Medicare Enrollment Periods Explained

Understanding how AEP fits alongside the other Medicare enrollment windows prevents costly mistakes and permanent penalties.

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

Your first and most important Medicare enrollment window. According to Medicare.gov, it is a seven-month window — three months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month, and three months after. Missing this window without qualifying employer coverage triggers permanent late enrollment penalties on Part B and Part D that never go away.

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

October 15 through December 7 every year. According to Medicare.gov, changes take effect January 1. This is your primary annual window to change Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)

January 1 through March 31 each year. According to Medicare.gov, anyone already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to a different plan or return to Original Medicare during this period. You cannot use the MA OEP to switch from Original Medicare into Medicare Advantage.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

According to Medicare.gov, you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage and Medicare drug coverage when certain events happen in your life — like if you move or lose other coverage. These chances to make changes are called Special Enrollment Periods. The types of changes you can make and the timing depend on your specific qualifying event.

General Enrollment Period (GEP)

January 1 through March 31 each year. This applies to people who missed their Initial Enrollment Period and need to enroll in Part A or Part B. According to Medicare.gov, late enrollment penalties apply if you missed your Initial Enrollment Period without qualifying coverage.

What Port St. Lucie Residents Need to Watch Before October 15

AEP affects every Medicare beneficiary differently depending on their market. Here is what matters specifically for Port St. Lucie and St. Lucie County residents going into fall 2026.

Network changes are the single biggest local risk. Every Medicare Advantage carrier serving St. Lucie County — including Humana, Aetna, United Healthcare, Devoted Health, and Florida Blue Medicare — negotiates hospital and physician contracts independently. Those contracts can and do change at the start of each new plan year. A doctor or hospital that was in-network in 2026 may not be in-network for 2027. Do not assume. Call your doctor’s billing office directly before December 7 and ask specifically whether they will be in-network with your plan in 2027.

Your drug formulary may have changed significantly. According to Medicare.gov, Medicare drug plans can change what drugs are covered and how much they cost each year. A medication you take daily that was covered at a low copay in 2026 may move to a higher cost tier or be removed from the formulary entirely for 2027. Use the Medicare Plan Finder to enter your specific medications and see exactly what each plan will cost you next year before you make any decision.

Switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap in Florida requires advance planning. If you are on Medicare Advantage and considering switching to Original Medicare with a Medigap supplement, do not wait until November to start that process. According to Medicare.gov, the best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. Outside that window in most cases you will not be able to switch your Medigap policy except in specific situations when you have a guaranteed issue right. Begin this process in September or early October — not after November 1.

Check whether you qualify for Extra Help. According to SSA.gov, the Extra Help program helps people with limited income pay for Medicare prescription drug coverage — including premiums, deductibles, and copayments. If your income or assets have changed this year, AEP is the right time to check eligibility. Our guide Extra Help with Medicare Part D explains who qualifies and how to apply.

How to Compare Plans Before December 7

The Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov is the official federal government tool for comparing every Medicare Advantage and Part D plan available at your specific zip code in Port St. Lucie. This is the only tool that shows you every plan — not just the ones from a single carrier or a single website.

Before you use the tool gather three things:

Your complete list of current medications with exact dosages The full names of your current doctors and specialists Your preferred pharmacy

With those three pieces of information a comparison takes less than 15 minutes and shows you estimated annual total cost based on your actual drug usage — not just the monthly premium. That estimated total cost number is the only number that matters when comparing plans.

Pro Tip: Never compare plans based on premium alone. A plan with a $0 premium and a $50 specialist copay can easily cost you more annually than a plan with a $30 premium and a $20 specialist copay if you see specialists regularly. Two or three specialist visits per month is the difference between those two plans costing the same and one costing you hundreds more per year. Always compare estimated total annual cost — not the monthly premium.

ABCD Health Plans: Your Local AEP Resource

AEP is 54 days. That sounds like plenty of time. It is not — especially when you are comparing multiple plans across multiple carriers, verifying doctor networks, checking drug formularies, and trying to understand whether a switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare makes financial sense for your specific health situation.

ABCD Health Plans is an independent Medicare advisory based right here in Port St. Lucie. Principal advisor Bill Wilkie has been in the insurance business since 2001 and has focused exclusively on Medicare since 2015. He is licensed in more than 30 states and certified by every company he represents.

Because ABCD Health Plans is fully independent, Bill is not tied to any single carrier. He compares every plan available in your specific zip code, checks your doctor network, verifies your drug formulary, and calculates your estimated total annual cost before making any recommendation. The goal is always the plan that fits your health, your doctors, and your budget — not the one that pays the highest commission.

Whether you are reviewing your current Medicare Advantage plan before December 7, considering a switch to Original Medicare with a Medigap supplement, or trying to understand whether you qualify for Extra Help with Part D costs — ABCD Health Plans works with you at no cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period start and end?

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7 every year. According to Medicare.gov, changes take effect January 1 of the following year and the plan must receive your enrollment request by December 7.

What can I change during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?

According to Medicare.gov, during Open Enrollment you can join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage plan with or without drug coverage, join or switch a Medicare drug plan if you are in Original Medicare, or switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. All changes take effect January 1.

Does the Annual Enrollment Period apply to Medicare Supplement plans?

No. According to Medicare.gov, in most cases you will not be able to switch your Medigap policy outside your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period except in specific situations when you have a guaranteed issue right. AEP governs Medicare Advantage and Part D changes only — not Medigap.

What is the Annual Notice of Change and when does it arrive?

The Annual Notice of Change is a document your plan is required to mail you every September before AEP opens. According to CMS.gov, people in a Medicare health or prescription drug plan should always review the materials their plans send them, including the Annual Notice of Change. It discloses every change your plan is making for the coming year — premiums, formulary changes, network changes, and benefit adjustments. Read it the moment it arrives.

What happens if I miss the December 7 AEP deadline?

According to Medicare.gov, if you take no action during Open Enrollment your current plan automatically continues for the following year — even if its costs, network, or formulary have changed. If you miss AEP you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period triggered by a qualifying life event. Otherwise the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 through March 31 allows anyone already enrolled in Medicare Advantage to switch plans or return to Original Medicare.

Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare during AEP?

Yes. According to Medicare.gov, you can switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare during Open Enrollment. If you want to add a Medigap supplement after returning to Original Medicare, according to Medicare.gov, the best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. Outside that window your options in Florida may be limited depending on your health history.

What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31 each year. According to Medicare.gov, during this period anyone already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to a different plan or return to Original Medicare. You cannot use this period to switch from Original Medicare into Medicare Advantage — that requires AEP or a qualifying Special Enrollment Period.

How do I compare Medicare plans for Port St. Lucie during AEP?

Use the official Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov. Enter your Port St. Lucie zip code, your current medications, and your preferred pharmacy. The tool shows you every plan available in your specific area with estimated annual costs based on your actual drug usage. Always compare total estimated annual cost — not just the monthly premium.

Does my current Medicare plan automatically renew if I do nothing during AEP?

Yes. According to Medicare.gov, if you take no action during Open Enrollment your current plan continues for the following year — even if its costs, network, or formulary have changed significantly. This is why reading your Annual Notice of Change every September is one of the most important Medicare habits you can build.

What is a Special Enrollment Period and do I qualify?

According to Medicare.gov, you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage and Medicare drug coverage when certain events happen in your life — like if you move or lose other coverage. These are called Special Enrollment Periods. The types of changes you can make and the timing depend on your specific qualifying event. Call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit Medicare.gov for a full list of qualifying events.

Where can I learn more about Medicare plans in Port St. Lucie?

Our guide Medicare Advantage Plans in Port St. Lucie covers every carrier active in St. Lucie County, real 2026 costs, and the HMO vs PPO decision explained simply. Our guide Medicare Supplement Plans in Port St. Lucie explains Plan G, Plan N, and High Deductible Plan G in plain language. Our guide Extra Help with Medicare Part D covers the program that saves qualifying residents up to $5,700 a year on drug costs.

Article by Bill Wilkie

Bill Wilkie is the founder of ABCD Health Plans, an independent Medicare advisory based in Port St. Lucie, FL. Bill has been in the insurance business since 2001 and has focused exclusively on Medicare since 2015. He is licensed in more than 30 states and certified by every company he represents. He serves residents throughout St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, Brevard, and Palm Beach counties on Florida’s Treasure Coast.

📞 844-900-1468 | abcdhealthplans.com

Facebook | YouTube | Nextdoor

DISCLAIMER: ABCD Health Plans is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. 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 or call 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.