Medicare Plans
Medicare Open Enrollment Jacksonville FL Dates & Checklist
Medicare open enrollment Jacksonville FL residents rely on every fall, often called AEP, is the one window where almost anyone on Medicare can switch plans without a qualifying event. It runs October 15 through December 7, and whatever you pick starts January 1.
It's also prime season for mailers, TV spots, and cold calls. Our take: tune out the noise, look at your own drug list and doctors, and make one clear-eyed decision.
- Runs every year from October 15 through December 7
- Any change you make starts January 1
- Recheck your drug list and your network first
- Free plan reviews for Duval County residents
- Florida-Licensed Advisor
- Local Help in Duval, Clay & St. Johns
- No-Cost Plan Checkup
What's allowed
What you're free to change during AEP
- Move from Original Medicare into a Medicare Advantage plan
- Move from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to a different one
- Add, drop, or swap a standalone Part D drug plan
Medigap runs on its own clock
Medicare Supplement plans sit outside AEP entirely. In Florida you can apply for a Medigap plan at any point, but outside your one-time open enrollment window the carrier is allowed to ask health questions.
Prepare
A quick review beats a rushed comparison
- 1
Open your Annual Notice of Change
Your plan sends it every September. It spells out next year's premium, copays, drug tiers, and network shifts in one letter.
- 2
Update your medication list
Doses change, new prescriptions get added. Bring the current version, since this is the single biggest factor in your cost.
- 3
Verify your doctors and hospital
Check Baptist Health, UF Health Jacksonville, Ascension St. Vincent's, or your regular clinic against next year's directory, not this year's.
- 4
Wrap it up before Thanksgiving
December 7 is a firm cutoff. Applications filed in the last few days leave zero room to fix a mistake.
Other windows
What if you miss December 7
Advantage members get one more shot from January 1 to March 31 to make a single change, either to a different Advantage plan or back to Original Medicare paired with a Part D plan. Beyond that, you'd need a Special Enrollment Period tied to something specific, like moving outside a plan's service area or losing job-based coverage.
Brand new to Medicare? The Initial Enrollment Period tied to turning 65 applies to you instead. Not sure which situation fits? See switching your plan.
No pressure, no obligation
Book your free Open Enrollment review
We review Jacksonville-area clients every fall, whether or not a change ends up making sense this year.