Medicare Plans
Medicare Annual Open Enrollment in St. Louis, MO
Annual Open Enrollment, sometimes called AEP, is the time each year when almost anyone on Medicare can change plans without a special reason. It runs October 15 through December 7, and your new choice starts January 1.
It's also when the mailers, TV ads and phone calls pile up. Set them aside. Look at your own drug list and your own doctors, and make one calm decision.
- October 15 through December 7 each year
- Changes start January 1
- Check your drug list and network first
- Free plan reviews across the St. Louis area
Have your plan checked before December 7
Send us your current plan, your prescriptions and your doctors. A licensed insurance agent compares next year's costs with the plans we represent in your St. Louis ZIP code and calls you back during business hours. If you should stay where you are, we'll tell you.
What to expect
Free review- A licensed agent calls you back during business hours, Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5:30pm CT
- Your doctors and prescriptions get checked before any plan is suggested
- No fee for our help, and your premium is the same either way
- No obligation to enroll, and no pressure if you'd rather stay put
Reviewed by the licensed insurance agents at St. Louis Senior Insurance. Last reviewed: October 2026. Office hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5:30pm CT.
Thanks, we have your request.
A licensed agent will call you during business hours, Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5:30pm CT. If you'd rather not wait, call 314-463-5815 now.
What's allowed
Changes you can make during AEP
- Leave Original Medicare for a Medicare Advantage plan
- Leave a Medicare Advantage plan for Original Medicare
- Trade one Medicare Advantage plan for another
- Join, drop or switch a standalone Part D drug plan
Medigap has its own rules
Medicare Supplement plans aren't part of AEP. You can apply for a Medigap plan any time, but outside your first Medigap window the company can ask health questions. In Missouri, your policy anniversary gives you a yearly chance to move to the same plan letter at another company without them.
Prepare
A short review beats a long comparison
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1
Read your Annual Notice of Change
Your plan mails it by the end of September. It lists next year's premium, copays, drug tiers and network changes in one letter.
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2
Update your drug list
Doses change and new drugs get added. Bring your current list, since it usually moves your cost more than anything else. Our Part D guide shows what to compare.
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3
Check your doctors and hospital
Look up your clinic and hospital system, whether it's in Florissant or Fenton, in next year's directory, not this year's.
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4
Decide before Thanksgiving
December 7 doesn't move. If you file in the last few days, there's no time to fix a mistake.
Looking at drug coverage? Start with Part D drug plans in St. Louis. Thinking about a bigger change? Read Medicare Advantage in St. Louis and Advantage vs. Medigap.
Local networks
What changes most in St. Louis plans
Around St. Louis, Advantage networks are built around BJC, Mercy, SSM Health and St. Luke's. A plan can add or drop a hospital group from one year to the next, so look up each doctor and hospital by name in next year's directory. The plans for sale also differ by county. Something offered in St. Louis County may not be sold in St. Charles County, so we always start with your ZIP code. See all the places we help on our service areas page.
Other windows
If you miss December 7
If you're in an Advantage plan, you get another chance from January 1 through March 31 to make one change. You can move to a different Advantage plan or back to Original Medicare with a Part D plan. Past that, you'd need a Special Enrollment Period tied to an event, like moving out of your plan's service area or losing coverage from a job.
If you're new to Medicare, your Initial Enrollment Period around turning 65 applies instead. Not sure which window is yours? See switching your plan.
Questions
Open Enrollment in St. Louis: common questions
When is Medicare Open Enrollment?
Do I need to do anything if I like my plan?
Can I change Medigap plans during Open Enrollment?
What if I miss December 7?
Where can I get free help in Missouri?
Book your free Open Enrollment review
We'll look over your plan every fall, whether or not a change makes sense this year.