QUICK ANSWER: Medicare open enrollment in Artesia runs October 15 to December 7, and any changes start January 1. Before you switch plans, confirm that your doctors, pharmacy and hospital are in your plan’s network, and compare your drug costs. Free, unbiased help is available from New Mexico’s SHIP counselors at 1-800-432-2080.
Medicare open enrollment in Artesia and across Eddy County runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. It is the one time each year when everyone with Medicare can review their coverage and make changes for the year ahead.
Plans change their costs, drug lists and provider networks every year. That is why a quick check now can save you a surprise later.
This guide to Medicare open enrollment in Artesia covers the dates, what you can change, what to check, and where to find free help. We do not sell or recommend Medicare plans at Artesia General Hospital (AGH). However, we can explain how coverage works at our hospital and clinics.
When is Medicare open enrollment in Artesia?
Medicare open enrollment runs every year from October 15 through December 7. Changes take effect on January 1, and your plan must receive your request by December 7. Medicare.gov lists the details for each enrollment period.
Here are the dates that matter:
- October 15: open enrollment begins.
- December 7: open enrollment ends.
- January 1: your new coverage starts.
- January 1 to March 31: a second window for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
During that second window, you can switch to another Advantage plan. Instead, you can return to Original Medicare and join a separate drug plan.
What can I change during open enrollment?
You can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage plan during open enrollment. You can also move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and you can join, switch or drop a Part D drug plan.
If you have Original Medicare and no drug coverage, this is a good time to look at drug plans. Even if you plan to keep your current coverage, read the notice your plan sends each fall. Costs and benefits can change from one year to the next.
What should I check before choosing a Medicare plan?
Check four things before you choose a plan: your network, your prescriptions, your total costs and your location. Each one can change from year to year, so look at all four even if you stay with the same plan.
- Network. Ask your doctors, your pharmacy and the hospital you would use whether they are in the plan’s network.
- Prescriptions. Enter every medicine you take into Medicare’s Plan Finder to see estimated monthly and yearly costs.
- Total costs. Look past the monthly premium. Add the deductible, copays and your yearly drug estimate.
- Location. Make sure the plan serves your ZIP code. If you spend part of the year in another state, ask how the plan covers you there.
Drug costs also have new numbers for 2027. The most you pay out of pocket for covered Part D drugs rises to $2,400, up from $2,100 in 2026. The standard Part D deductible rises to $700, up from $615. However, some plans charge less, so compare before you decide.
Is Artesia General Hospital in network with my plan?
It depends on your specific plan, because network status is set plan by plan. AGH accepts Medicare and works with many insurance companies. However, one company can offer several plans with different networks.
Before you enroll, call the member services number for any plan you are considering. Ask whether AGH and your doctors are in network for 2027. Then confirm that your prescriptions are on the plan’s drug list.
Our Billing Office can also explain how your coverage works at AGH. Call 575-736-8120 to speak with our team. You can see the insurers we work with on our Insurance Coverage page. If you want an estimate for a planned test or procedure, use our Cost Estimator. If cost is a concern, our Financial Counseling team can talk through financial assistance options.
Where can I get free, unbiased help with Medicare open enrollment in Artesia?
New Mexico’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program, known as SHIP, offers free Medicare counseling by phone and in person. SHIP counselors do not sell or endorse any insurance. They can help you compare plans and find programs that lower your costs.
To reach SHIP, call the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-800-432-2080 or visit aging.nm.gov. The state also lists in-person counseling events on its calendar. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or compare plans yourself at Medicare.gov.
Should I schedule my Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?
Yes, if you are eligible, because Medicare Part B covers a yearly wellness visit at no cost when your provider accepts assignment. The visit is a conversation that builds a personalized prevention plan. It is not a routine physical exam.
During the visit, your provider reviews your history and prescriptions and takes basic measurements. You also get a written checklist of the screenings and vaccines you need. If you have a specific health concern, book a separate appointment so the wellness visit stays focused on prevention.
Your first wellness visit cannot happen within 12 months of enrolling in Part B. After that, you can have one every 12 months. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your plan’s details for how it covers this visit. To schedule a visit at AGH, see our primary care page or book an appointment online.
What if I also have New Mexico Medicaid or Extra Help?
You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, which lets you change plans outside open enrollment. Medicare lists getting Medicaid or Extra Help as situations that can qualify. Ask a SHIP counselor which options apply to you.
New Mexico is also changing some Medicaid rules in late 2026 and 2027, mainly for adults ages 19 to 64. The Health Care Authority explains the changes on its Medicaid changes page.
Frequently asked questions about Medicare open enrollment in Artesia
Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
Only in certain cases. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch plans or return to Original Medicare from January 1 to March 31. Special Enrollment Periods also apply in situations such as moving or losing coverage.
I have Original Medicare. Can I add drug coverage during open enrollment?
Yes. With Original Medicare, you can join, switch or drop a Medicare drug plan from October 15 to December 7. Compare your options with Plan Finder first.
Does Artesia General Hospital accept Medicare?
Yes. AGH bills Medicare directly and then bills your secondary insurance, if you have it, for the remaining eligible balance. See our Insurance Coverage page for details.
Will AGH tell me which Medicare plan to choose?
No, because AGH does not sell or endorse Medicare plans. We can explain how coverage works at our hospital and clinics. Meanwhile, SHIP counselors can compare options with you at no cost, and they have no ties to insurers.
Questions about Medicare open enrollment in Artesia and how your coverage works at AGH? Call our Billing Office at 575-736-8120. For free plan counseling, call SHIP at 1-800-432-2080.
Disclaimer: This content is for general information only and is not insurance, legal or medical advice. Plan details change every year. Confirm costs, networks and deadlines with your plan, Medicare.gov or a SHIP counselor before you decide.
Reviewed by Deion Wesson, Revenue Cycle Operations Manager, on 11/12/2026