Brian Smith
Health & Medicare Insurance Broker
Personalized, trustworthy guidance—delivered with clarity and care. Specializing in Medicare, Individual and Family Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.
As licensed insurance agents, we follow strict federal guidelines to protect your privacy and ensure ethical practices—especially when discussing Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plans, or Affordable Care Act (ACA) options. Federal rules prevent me from making unsolicited calls or messages about Medicare plans. Even if you’ve worked with me before, I still need your permission each time before I can begin discussing coverage options. It may seem unusual—but for your protection, you must initiate contact before I can assist you with plan information. Once you do, I am ready to provide personalized, caring support to help you make confident decisions.
Navigating Medicare or ACA Marketplace Health Insurance can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to. I offer personalized, one-on-one guidance tailored to your unique needs and circumstances. No pressure, just clear, honest information you can rely on. My goal is to help you make confident decisions about your coverage with clarity and peace of mind. Whether you’re new to Medicare, exploring ACA Marketplace options, or reviewing your choices during an open enrollment period, I’m here to provide support, answer your questions, and walk alongside you every step of the way. Let’s find a plan that fits—not just your health needs, but your life.
In order to make changes to your Medicare or ACA plan—or to enroll in a new one.
You must be eligible for a valid Enrollment Period.
Below are the main types of Enrollment Periods that may apply:
Medicare Enrollment Periods – 2026
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
- You have a seven-month window to sign up for Part A, Part B, Part D or Medicare Advantage when you first become eligible (usually turning 65).
- It starts three months before your 65th birth month, includes that month, and ends three months after.
General Enrollment Period (GEP)
- January 1–March 31, 2026.
- If you missed your IEP and aren’t in a Special Enrollment Period, you can join Original Medicare (Parts A & B) now.
- Coverage begins July 1, 2026, but you may owe a late-enrollment penalty.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
- October 15–December 7, 2025
- During AEP you can switch, drop or join Medicare Advantage and/or Part D plans.
- Changes take effect January 1, 2026
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
- January 1–March 31, 2026
- If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can either switch to another Advantage plan or drop back to Original Medicare (with or without Part D).
- Only one change allowed; new coverage starts the first of the month after you enroll.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
- Triggered by qualifying life events—losing employer coverage, moving outside your plan’s service area, gaining Medicaid or Extra Help, etc.
- Each SEP has its own time frame (often 60 days) and plan-change rules.
- You must document the event to use an SEP.
ACA (Marketplace) Enrollment Periods – 2026
Open Enrollment Period (OEP)
- November 1 through December 15, 2025 (for coverage starting January 1, 2026).
- You can enroll in or change federal Marketplace plans.
- Miss this deadline and you must wait for the next OEP unless you qualify for an SEP.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
- Generally a 60-day window after a qualifying life event—marriage, birth or adoption, loss of other coverage, move, change in immigration status, etc.
- You must provide proof of the event to gain SEP access and select or change plans outside the OEP.