Medicare Open Enrollment & Employer Compliance Deadlines Arrive Oct. 15

Every fall, Medicare Open Enrollment begins on Oct. 15, marking an important time for both employees and employers. This year, there are two key focuses: understanding new Medicare changes taking effect in 2026 and meeting important employer compliance deadlines.

Medicare Open Enrollment Starts Oct. 15

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2025. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries can join, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans for the upcoming year. This fall, members will also receive their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which outlines how their plans will change in 2026. It’s important for individuals to review this carefully so there are no surprises come January 1.

Key Medicare changes for 2026 include:

• $2,000 annual cap on prescription drug costs, helping individuals better manage out-of-pocket expenses.

• Monthly payment option for high prescription drug costs, allowing members to spread costs more evenly throughout the year.

• Mid-year benefit reminders for Medicare Advantage members, ensuring they don’t miss unused benefits like dental or vision.

• Support for dementia caregivers, including new resources, a 24/7 hotline, and up to $2,500 annually in respite care.

• Premium updates — while some premiums are going down, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs may rise. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) premiums will also increase.

These updates make it more important than ever for individuals to review their ANOC, evaluate their current coverage, and make any necessary plan changes during open enrollment.

Employer Compliance Deadlines: Part D Notices and Form 5500

For employers, Oct. 15 is also the deadline to distribute Part D Creditable Coverage Notices to Medicare-eligible employees and dependents. These notices explain whether the employer’s prescription drug coverage is “creditable” compared to Medicare Part D. Providing this notice helps employees make informed coverage decisions and helps employers stay compliant. Oct. 15 is also the deadline to submit Form 5500 if an extension was previously filed using Form 5558. Plans with a calendar-year basis that received the automatic extension must complete their filing by this date to avoid penalties. Failing to distribute notices or file Form 5500 on time can result in compliance issues and potential fines.

What to Do Next

For individuals: Review your Annual Notice of Change carefully. If you have questions or need help evaluating your options, reach out to Bene-Care’s Medicare team — we’re here to support you.

For employers: Make sure your Part D notices are distributed and Form 5500 filings are completed on time.

Need help navigating these important deadlines and changes? Then, contact our team today for assistance.