Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) Overview for North Carolina Residents

The 2025 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is quickly approaching! The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), from October 15 to December 7, is a critical time for Medicare beneficiaries to review and alter their healthcare coverage, effective January 1 of the following year. Here’s what you can do during AEP:

1. For Original Medicare Enrollees: You have the option to:

   • Enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, which may include prescription drug coverage.

   • Sign up for a stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D).

   • Continue with your current coverage, which will automatically renew.

2. For Original Medicare with Part D Enrollees: Choices include:

   • Switching to a Medicare Advantage plan.

   • Changing your Medicare prescription drug plan.

   • Dropping your Medicare prescription drug coverage (with potential penalties for later re-enrollment).

3. For Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollees: You can:

   • Switch between Medicare Advantage plans, with or without drug coverage.

   • Return to Original Medicare and possibly add a stand-alone drug plan.

   • Maintain your current plan, which renews automatically.

This period also serves as a reminder to assess your current plan’s suitability to ensure it meets your health needs for the coming year.

To ensure you make the best healthcare decisions for the coming year, review and adjust your Medicare coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period. If you need guidance or have questions about what options are best for you, don’t hesitate to contact us at Palmetto Medicare Advisors for expert advice tailored to your needs.