Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period: What Santa Clara County Residents Need to Know 

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is right around the corner! From October 15 through December 7, 2025, Medicare beneficiaries can review their current health and drug coverage and make changes for the 2026 plan year. Any changes you make will take effect on January 1, 2026. 

What changes can you make during AEP? 

• During this time, you can: Enroll in, switch, or drop a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
• Join, switch, or drop* a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), which may include extra benefits like vision, dental, or hearing.
• *Return to Original Medicare and, if you choose, add a stand-alone Part D plan. Look into the purchase of a Medigap supplement to cover the Original Medicare out- of-pocket costs, which could add up without extra coverage. 

You can make multiple changes, but only your last choice will take effect in January. 

Why review your coverage? 

Even if you’re happy with your current plan, it’s important to review your options every year. Plans can change their premiums, benefits, provider networks, and prescription drug formularies—or even terminate and leave the service area. New plans may also become available. Reviewing ensures that: 

• Your plan will still be available in 2026.
• Your doctors and pharmacies are still in-network. 
• Your medications are still covered at the best price. 
• Your total costs (premiums, deductibles, copays) still fit your budget. 

Look for your plan’s Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and Evidence of Coverage (EOC), which arrive each September. These notices explain what’s changing for the new year. 

How HICAP can help 

The Sourcewise Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) is Santa Clara County’s free, unbiased Medicare resource. Our trained counselors can: 

• Review your coverage and explain plan changes. 
• Use the medicare.gov Plan Finder to compare Part D and Advantage plans. 
• Help you apply for programs like Extra Help (which lowers drug costs) and Medi-Cal if you qualify.

Appointments are available by phone, video, and in person at community centers and libraries throughout the county. View our HICAP counseling locations here. 

Protect yourself from scams 

Medicare has strict rules about marketing. Plans cannot call you, email you, or show up at your home without your permission. Be cautious if someone pressures you into enrolling. If you suspect fraud, errors, or abuse, contact your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) through Sourcewise. Don’t forget, Medicare, Social Security Administration, and Social Services will not call asking for your information. Call their real number if you are not sure about who is calling you. 

Get started today 

Don’t wait until the last week of AEP—review your options early. Call HICAP’s appointment hotline at (408) 350-3288 to schedule an appointment with a HICAP counselor. You can also view our Medicare AEP presentations on Zoom or at community locations. Visit mysourcewise.com/calendar for details. 

With support from HICAP, you can feel confident that your 2026 Medicare coverage works best for you.