Medicare Renewal: Do I Have to Re-Enroll Every Year?
No, you do not have to re-enroll in Original Medicare every year. Once you are enrolled, your coverage will continue until you make changes or decide to cancel it. Aside from a few exceptions, this is the same for Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap), and Medicare Part D (prescription drug plan). Below are a few scenarios you might need to re-enroll in your existing plan or pick a new one.
When Might I Have to Renew My Medicare Coverage?
In most instances, your Medicare coverage automatically renews as long as you pay your monthly premiums. Automatic deductions make it easier to stay current and ensure you remember to make your payment.
Although plans automatically renew for most beneficiaries, there are some situations where you will need to renew your Medicare Part C, Part D, or Medigap policy:
- If your Medicare Advantage company does not renew its contract with Medicare.
- If Medicare terminates its contract with your insurance carrier.
- Your plan changes its service area, and you no longer live in its coverage area.
- You move outside of your plan’s service area, and your plan is not offered in your new location.
- If the insurance provider goes bankrupt or discontinues your plan.
If any of these situations occur, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period and can re-enroll without paying a penalty or undergoing underwriting. The length of your SEP depends on the circumstances that trigger it.
If you are on a Medicare Advantage plan, the insurance company must send you an annual Notice of Change listing any changes in cost, coverage, provider network, or service area. You should receive the notice by October; if you do not, contact your insurance carrier.
Changes typically go into effect in January of the following year. Because most Medicare plans automatically renew, you must review these changes yearly to ensure that the policy is up-to-date and meets your healthcare needs.
An experienced insurance agent can help you analyze plans, benefits, and insurance providers.
Pro Tip:
Medicare Part A is free; Medicare Part B is not. Many seniors have their Original Medicare Part B premiums automatically removed from their monthly Social Security check.
You can also elect to have your Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) and Part D premiums deducted from your Social Security benefit. However, in the case of Medicare Supplement plans, you must pay your premium directly to the insurance company.
Does Medicare Part D Need to Be Renewed Each Year?
A common question among Medicare beneficiaries is whether they must re-enroll in their Medicare Part D prescription drug plan every year. The short answer is no – you do not have to re-enroll in your Part D plan annually unless something changes with your plan due to the insurance company’s actions.
When You Might Have to Re-Enroll
While your Part D plan automatically renews each year, there are two main situations where you may need to take action:
1. Your Plan Is Not Renewed by the Insurance Company
During the 2025 Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), a significant issue arose where some Medicare beneficiaries were unexpectedly terminated from their Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. This happened because certain insurance companies decided to not renew their plans with Medicare because of lower reimbursement rates from CMS, leaving enrollees without coverage on January 1st.
If your plan is discontinued or the company chooses not to renew it with Medicare, you will receive a notification explaining your options. In this case, you must choose a new Part D plan during AEP (October 15 – December 7) to ensure you have coverage for the following year.
2. You Want to Shop for a Better Plan
If you decide to switch to a new Part D plan, you must actively enroll in a different plan. When you do, your current plan will be automatically canceled at the end of the year, and your new coverage will begin on January 1st.
Many people shop for a new plan if:
- Their current plan raises premiums or copays
- Their preferred pharmacy is no longer in the network
- Their medications are being covered differently or not at all
- A new plan offers better benefits or lower costs
Stay Informed to Avoid Coverage Gaps
To prevent any surprises, always review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which is mailed out each September. This document outlines any changes to your plan for the upcoming year, including premium increases, formulary changes, or network adjustments.
Additionally, given the issues that arose in 2025, it’s wise to verify your enrollment status with Medicare if you receive any unexpected letters about your coverage being dropped. If needed, contact 1-800-MEDICARE or work with one of our trusted Medicare agents to resolve any concerns.
Unless your insurance company fails to renew your plan with Medicare or you actively choose a new plan, your Medicare Part D coverage will automatically continue year after year. However, staying proactive and reviewing your options annually ensures you always have the best coverage for your needs.
If you want to change your Part D plan, you can do so during the Open Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7. You can compare plans at medicare.gov.
Do I Need to Re-Enroll in Medicare Supplement?
The short answer is no – your Medigap plan will automatically renew every year as long as you continue paying your premiums. Unlike Medicare Advantage or Part D plans, Medigap policies are guaranteed renewable, meaning the insurance company cannot cancel your coverage as long as you keep up with your payments.
However, there are a couple of situations where you might need to take action.
When You Might Need to Change Your Medigap Plan
1. Your Insurance Company Stops Offering the Plan
While rare, there have been instances where an insurance company stops offering a particular Medigap plan to new enrollees. If this happens, current policyholders are grandfathered in, meaning you can keep your plan as long as you want.
However, if the entire insurance company goes out of business, you may be required to switch to a different Medigap plan from another insurer. In this case, you will typically have a guaranteed issue right, allowing you to enroll in a new plan without medical underwriting.
2. You Want to Change to a Different Medigap Plan
While you are not required to re-enroll every year, you may decide to shop for a new Medigap plan if:
- Your monthly premium increases significantly
- Another insurance company offers the same coverage at a lower price
- You originally chose a higher-coverage plan (like Plan F) and now want to switch to a lower-cost option (like Plan G or Plan N)
If you decide to switch Medigap plans, be aware that you may have to go through medical underwriting, depending on your state and when you apply. Unlike Medicare Advantage and Part D, Medigap does not have an annual enrollment period, so you can apply for a new policy at any time.
However, insurers can deny your application or charge higher premiums based on your health, unless you qualify for a guaranteed issue right (such as losing employer coverage or moving out of your plan’s service area).
Your Medigap Plan Will Always Renew as Long as You Pay Your Premiums
Unlike Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, which require annual re-enrollment in certain cases, Medigap plans automatically renew every year, even if the insurance company stops selling them to new enrollees. As long as you pay your premium, your plan stays in place, and your benefits remain the same.
You do not need to re-enroll in your Medigap plan every year. However, if you experience significant premium increases or find a better option, you may want to explore switching plans. Just be mindful that medical underwriting may apply unless you qualify for a guaranteed issue right. If you have any questions about your Medigap coverage or whether switching makes sense for you, working with a trusted Medicare agent can help you navigate your options.
Do I Need to Re-Enroll in Medicare Advantage?
One of the most common questions I get is, “Do I need to renew my Medicare Advantage plan every year?” The simple answer is no – your plan will automatically renew unless something happens that requires you to take action. However, there are a few key situations where you will need to enroll in a new plan.
When You Might Have to Re-Enroll
1. Your Plan Is Not Renewed by the Insurance Company
During the 2025 Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), we received a flood of calls from people across the country who were shocked to find out their Medicare Advantage plans had been terminated. This happened because certain insurance companies chose to NOT renew their contracts with Medicare, leaving enrollees without coverage starting January 1st.
If your plan is discontinued, you will receive a non-renewal notice in the fall. If that happens, you’ll need to enroll in a new plan during AEP (October 15 – December 7) to ensure you don’t lose coverage.
2. You Move Out of Your Plan’s Service Area
Medicare Advantage plans are regional, meaning they only cover people who live within their designated service areas. If you move to a new state or even to a different county, your current plan may not be available in your new location.
If you move outside your plan’s service area, you’ll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), allowing you to choose a new Medicare Advantage plan or switch back to Original Medicare with a Part D plan. You typically have two months after moving to make this change, so it’s important to act quickly to avoid a lapse in coverage.
3. You Want to Change to a New Plan
If you’re unhappy with your current plan, you don’t have to wait for it to be discontinued or move out of the area – you can shop for a better plan during AEP (October 15 – December 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31).
Here’s why many people choose to switch:
- Their doctor is no longer in the network
- Their plan’s premiums, copays, or out-of-pocket costs increase
- Prescription drug coverage changes
- Another plan offers better benefits (such as dental, vision, or gym memberships)
If you enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan, your old plan will be automatically canceled, and your new coverage will begin on January 1st (if you switch during AEP) or the first of the next month (if you switch during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period).
Stay Informed to Avoid Coverage Gaps
To avoid any surprises, make sure you carefully review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which you’ll receive in September. This document details any changes to your plan, such as premium increases, benefit reductions, or provider network changes.
Because of the issues we saw in 2025, I also recommend double-checking your enrollment status with Medicare if you receive an unexpected notice about your plan being terminated. You can verify your coverage by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or working with a trusted Medicare agent.
Unless your insurance company fails to renew your plan with Medicare, you move out of your plan’s service area, or you actively choose a different plan, your Medicare Advantage coverage will continue automatically. But it’s always a good idea to review your options annually to make sure you’re still getting the best coverage for your needs.
Bottom Line
As long as you keep paying your premiums, you usually don’t have to renew your Medicare coverage every year. Medicare can be confusing, so if you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact one of our licensed agents.
FAQs
- What happens if I don't enroll in Medicare in time?
- Does Medicare automatically enroll you in Part A?
- How do I avoid the Part B Late Enrollment Penalty?
