Medicare AEP Guide for Kentucky Residents

Between October 15 and December 7 each year, Medicare beneficiaries have an annual chance to review and change their plan. This window is called the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) — and it matters more than most people realize.

Here is how Kentucky residents should approach it.

What Can Change During AEP

During AEP, you can:

• Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage (or the other way).
• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
• Join, drop, or switch a Part D prescription drug plan.

Changes made during AEP take effect January 1 of the following year.

What Does Not Change During AEP

• Enrolling in Medigap (Medicare Supplement) is a separate process with its own rules — including potential medical underwriting in Kentucky.
• Initial enrollment for people new to Medicare is handled through the Initial Enrollment Period, not AEP.

For the full list of enrollment windows, see our Medicare Enrollment Periods page.

Why a Yearly Review Matters

Medicare plans change every year. Specifically:

• Premiums can go up or down.
• Formularies (the list of covered drugs) change.
• Provider networks shift — doctors and hospitals enter or leave plans.
• Extra benefits on Medicare Advantage plans (dental, vision, OTC allowance) change or get trimmed.
• Your own health needs change.

Even if nothing changes on your end, the plan you have may no longer be the best fit next year.

What to Review Each Fall

Use this short checklist before making any AEP decisions:

1. Read your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) — mailed in September.
2. Check if your doctors and hospitals are still in-network.
3. Confirm each of your prescriptions is on the plan's formulary and check the tier.
4. Compare the total annual cost, not just the premium.
5. Re-evaluate your path — does Medicare Advantage still fit, or should you consider Medigap?

We compare these factors line-by-line for every client review. See How to Review Your Medicare Plan Every Year.

Kentucky-Specific Considerations

• Plan availability varies by county. Urban counties (Fayette, Jefferson) have more choices than rural counties.
• Rural providers may only be in a limited number of Medicare Advantage networks.
• Some counties have several stable Medigap carriers; others have fewer Part D options.

To see how plan availability looks where you live, visit our Medicare Overview or check our service-area pages like Kentucky statewide service area.

Common AEP Mistakes

• Assuming "nothing changed" without reading the Annual Notice of Change.
• Keeping a Part D plan that no longer covers a new prescription.
• Switching to a plan based on a TV ad, not a personal review.
• Skipping the review entirely and letting the renewal happen by default.

When AEP Is Not the Right Window

If you are brand new to Medicare, use your Initial Enrollment Period. If you recently lost employer coverage, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

Related Reading

Before you commit to a plan, questions to ask before enrolling in a Medicare plan is a short list worth having in front of you during the call.

As a licensed independent agency based in Somerset, Kentucky, serving clients statewide, Summit Benefits Group runs side-by-side AEP reviews for clients across Kentucky — comparing Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D options based on your actual doctors, prescriptions, and budget.