MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT · UTAH
Medicare Open Enrollment Utah 2026: Dates, What You Can Change and How to Review
Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026. During this window, people in Utah can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Medicare drug plan, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Changes start January 1, 2027. If you’re happy with your coverage, you don’t have to do anything.
Sources: Medicare.gov – Open Enrollment · Medicare.gov – Joining a plan · Medicare.gov – Your Yearly Medicare Review
This Medicare Open Enrollment Utah guide explains the fall dates, what you can and can’t change, and a simple way to review your coverage before the December 7 deadline. It’s written for people on Medicare across Utah and for the family members who help them.
Still on the way to Medicare? Your first sign-up window is around your 65th birthday, not this fall.
Want a second set of eyes on your coverage?
There’s no cost to you for my help.
KEY DATES
Medicare Open Enrollment dates for 2026
October 15 to December 7
Open Enrollment happens every year from October 15 to December 7. It’s sometimes called the Annual Enrollment Period, or AEP. For 2026, that means you have about seven and a half weeks to make changes for 2027. (Medicare.gov – Open Enrollment)
Changes start January 1
Any change you make during Open Enrollment starts January 1, 2027. The plan must get your request by December 7. (Medicare.gov – Joining a plan)
Two more windows after the new year
- January 1 to March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment. If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare (and join a separate drug plan) one time.
- Special Enrollment Periods happen when certain life events occur, like moving, losing other coverage, or getting Extra Help.
(Medicare.gov – Joining a plan · Medicare.gov – Special Enrollment Periods)
Want every window in one place? See the Medicare enrollment dates for Utah calculator.
WHAT YOU CAN CHANGE
What you can change during Open Enrollment
The changes Medicare allows
What you can do depends on the coverage you have now. During Open Enrollment you can: (Medicare.gov – Open Enrollment)
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare.
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, with or without drug coverage.
- Join, switch or drop a Medicare drug plan if you have Original Medicare.
- Keep what you have. If your plan still fits, your coverage generally continues on its own.
Not sure how the two main paths differ? Read how Medicare Advantage works and Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement.
Why your county matters in Utah
Medicare Advantage and drug plans are offered in specific service areas. The choices in Salt Lake County may not match the choices in Utah County, Washington County or a rural county. To join a plan, you generally must live in its service area. Always compare the plans offered where you live. (Medicare.gov – Joining a plan)
For local guides, see Medicare help in Salt Lake City, Medicare in Provo and Utah County and Medicare in St. George.
WHAT IT DOESN'T CHANGE
What Open Enrollment doesn't change
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) has its own rules
Open Enrollment is about Medicare Advantage and drug plans. It is not a guaranteed time to buy a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy. If you switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, you may want a separate drug plan and may want Medigap, but Medicare says there are limits on when you can add it. In many cases, an insurer can ask health questions. (Medicare.gov – Open Enrollment)
That’s why it’s smart to check Medigap options before you leave a Medicare Advantage plan, not after. Learn more about Medicare Supplement plans in Utah.
Utah's Medigap birthday window is separate
Utah has its own yearly window for people who already have Medigap. Since May 2025, a Utah Medigap policyholder can, for 60 days starting on their birthday, move to a different Medigap plan with the same insurer that has equal or fewer benefits, without medical underwriting. It doesn’t let you move to a different insurance company, and it doesn’t line up with the October to December dates. (Utah Insurance Department – Bulletin 2025-5)
Part A and Part B sign-up isn't part of this window
If you never signed up for Part A or Part B, Open Enrollment isn’t your sign-up time. The General Enrollment Period, January 1 to March 31, is for that. Late sign-up can mean a penalty, so read how Medicare late penalties work.
REVIEW CHECKLIST
Your Open Enrollment review checklist
Step 1: Read your Annual Notice of Change
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage or drug plan, your plan sends an Annual Notice of Change each fall, usually in September. It lists changes to costs and coverage that start in January. If you didn’t get it, contact your plan. (Medicare.gov – Plan Annual Notice of Change)
Step 2: Check your doctors and hospitals
Networks can change from year to year. Ask each doctor’s office, and confirm with the plan, that they’ll work with your coverage in 2027.
Step 3: Check your prescriptions and pharmacy
Make a list of each medicine, the dose and how often you take it. Then check how each one is covered for next year and which pharmacies are in network. Drug costs are changing too. See the Part D out-of-pocket cap for 2027.
Step 4: Look at your total yearly costs
Don’t look only at the monthly premium. Add up deductibles, copays and what your drugs may cost over the whole year. Medicare.gov’s plan finder can estimate this when you enter your drugs. (Medicare.gov – Joining a plan)
Step 5: Think about travel
If you spend winters in St. George or out of state, check how your coverage works where you’ll be.
Step 6: Decide by December 7
Compare your choices, then decide. If you’re happy with what you have, that’s a fine decision too.
PLAN ENDING?
If your Medicare Advantage plan is ending
Read that letter carefully
Some people get a letter saying their plan won’t continue next year. If that’s you, you’ll still have choices. If your plan’s contract isn’t renewed, Medicare gives you a Special Enrollment Period from December 8 through the last day of February to pick another plan, in addition to Open Enrollment. If you don’t choose, you’ll be in Original Medicare. (Medicare.gov – Special Enrollment Periods)
Picking a plan before December 7 helps avoid a gap. Learn more about what to do if your Medicare Advantage plan is ending.
If money is tight
Some Utahns qualify for help paying Medicare costs. If you get Extra Help or Medicaid, you can generally change drug coverage more often. See our Medicare Savings Program Utah guide.
STAY SAFE
Watch out for Open Enrollment pressure
Take your time
Fall brings a lot of TV ads, mail and phone calls. Medicare’s advice is simple: review the official notices from your plan, compare your options, and don’t feel rushed. (Medicare.gov – Your Yearly Medicare Review)
Protect your Medicare number
Treat your Medicare number like a credit card. Only share it with people you trust and contacted on your own.
Where to get neutral help
Sources
- Medicare.gov, Open Enrollment: Open Enrollment
- Medicare.gov, Joining a plan: Joining a plan
- Medicare.gov, Special Enrollment Periods: Special Enrollment Periods
- Medicare.gov, Plan Annual Notice of Change: Plan Annual Notice of Change
- Medicare.gov, Your Yearly Medicare Review (CMS Product 11220): Your Yearly Medicare Review
- Medicare.gov, Talk to someone: Talk to someone
- Utah Insurance Department, Bulletin 2025-5 (HB 258 Medigap annual election period): Bulletin 2025-5
- Utah DHHS Aging & Adult Services, SHIP: SHIP
HOW IT WORKS
How an Open Enrollment review with me works
A Draper agent serving all of Utah by phone or video
I’m Fores Boo, a licensed independent Medicare agent (NPN 17255694) with Boo Insurance Services. Our office is at 61 W 13490 S, Suite 201, in Draper. I’ve helped 1,000+ Utahns with Medicare. Reviews are by phone or video, so you can meet from home anywhere in Utah.
What happens
- Book a time online or call 801-255-5341.
- Confirm what we’ll discuss with a short Scope of Appointment form, which Medicare rules require.
- Gather your list: your Annual Notice of Change, doctors, prescriptions with doses, and pharmacy.
- Review your options in plain language for your county.
- You decide. Keep your coverage or change it. There’s no obligation.
Book early in the season
Calendars fill up as December 7 gets closer. Booking in October or early November gives you time to think before the deadline.
Don’t wait for December.
There’s no cost to you for my help.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026, the same dates as everywhere in the country. Changes you make start January 1, 2027. The plan must get your request by December 7.
No. If you’ve reviewed your coverage and you’re happy with it, it generally continues on its own. Still, read your Annual Notice of Change, because costs, drug coverage and networks can change each January.
Yes. You can go back to Original Medicare and join a separate drug plan. But a Medicare Supplement policy isn’t guaranteed then, and an insurer may ask health questions. Check your Medigap options before you switch.
Open Enrollment doesn’t apply to Medigap. In Utah, if you already have Medigap, you have a 60-day window starting on your birthday to move to a plan with equal or fewer benefits from the same insurer, without medical underwriting.
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change from January 1 to March 31. Otherwise you may need to wait for next fall, unless a life event like a move gives you a Special Enrollment Period.
No. Medicare Advantage and drug plans are offered by service area, so choices can differ between counties. Original Medicare works the same everywhere. Always compare the plans offered where you live.
Have your Medicare card, your Annual Notice of Change, a list of your doctors, your prescriptions with doses, and your pharmacy. If a family member helps you, they’re welcome to join with your permission.
There’s no cost to you for my help. Agents are generally paid by the insurance companies they’re appointed with. You’re never required to enroll, and you can take as much time as you need to decide.
Get your Open Enrollment review done before December 7
Medicare Open Enrollment Utah reviews are easiest with a little time to spare. Grab your Medicare card, your Annual Notice of Change and your medication list, and let’s talk it through by phone or video.
There’s no cost to you for my help.
NEXT STEP
Sources
- Medicare.gov, Open Enrollment: Open Enrollment
- Medicare.gov, Joining a plan: Joining a plan
- Medicare.gov, Special Enrollment Periods: Special Enrollment Periods
- Medicare.gov, Plan Annual Notice of Change: Plan Annual Notice of Change
- Medicare.gov, Your Yearly Medicare Review (CMS Product 11220): Your Yearly Medicare Review
- Medicare.gov, Talk to someone: Talk to someone
- Utah Insurance Department, Bulletin 2025-5 (HB 258 Medigap annual election period): Bulletin 2025-5
- Utah DHHS Aging & Adult Services, SHIP: SHIP
Last updated: October 2026
Disclaimer: 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, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. National Producer Number: 17255694
About the author: Fores Boo is a licensed independent Medicare agent, NPN 17255694, with Boo Insurance Services, 61 W 13490 S Ste 201, Draper, UT 84020 · 801-255-5341. Reviews are by phone or video.