Every fall, people with Medicare get a set window to look again at how they get their health and drug coverage. For coverage starting in 2027, that window is Medicare Open Enrollment, which runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. Changes made during this period take effect on January 1, 2027.
This guide explains what you can and cannot change during Open Enrollment, what is different for 2027, how to compare your options and how to avoid common mistakes. It is general information, not advice about a particular plan. The details that matter most are in your own plan’s notices and on Medicare.gov.
The key dates for 2027 coverage
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) confirms that Open Enrollment runs from October 15, 2026 through December 7, 2026, and that Medicare health and drug plan coverage for 2027 begins on January 1, 2027. Plan information for the new year is published on the Medicare Plan Finder before the window opens, so you can compare options in advance.
| Date | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| By September 30, 2026 | Medicare Advantage and Part D plans send members an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) | Read it carefully and note any premium, drug list or network changes |
| Early October 2026 | 2027 plan details appear in the Medicare Plan Finder | Start comparing plans with your current drug list |
| October 15, 2026 | Open Enrollment begins | Make changes if your current plan no longer fits |
| December 7, 2026 | Open Enrollment ends | Your chosen plan must receive your request by this date |
| January 1, 2027 | New coverage begins | Use your new plan card and check pharmacy and doctor details |
| January 1 to March 31, 2027 | Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period | Medicare Advantage members get one more chance to switch |
If you are happy with your current plan and it is still offered in 2027, you generally do not need to do anything. It will usually renew automatically. That is exactly why reading the Annual Notice of Change matters: plans can change premiums, deductibles, covered drugs and provider networks from one year to the next.
What you can change during Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment is about how you receive Medicare coverage, especially Medicare Advantage (Part C) and prescription drug coverage (Part D). During the window, you can:
Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare. Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, including choosing a plan with or without drug coverage. Join, switch or drop a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan if you have Original Medicare.
What Open Enrollment does not do is just as important. It is not the main enrollment window for people new to Medicare, who usually sign up during their Initial Enrollment Period around their 65th birthday. It also does not guarantee a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy. In most states, Medigap insurers can use medical underwriting outside your Medigap open enrollment period, so if you leave Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare, check whether you can buy a Medigap policy before you switch.
Example: Someone has been in a Medicare Advantage plan for three years and wants to return to Original Medicare to see specialists outside the plan’s network. They can switch during Open Enrollment, but if they also want a Medigap policy, they should first ask insurers in their state whether they would be accepted and at what price. Switching first and asking later can leave them with Original Medicare and no supplemental coverage.
What is changing for 2027
The biggest change is to prescription drug costs. The annual out-of-pocket limit for covered Part D drugs rises to $2,400 in 2027, up from $2,100 in 2026. Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches that amount, you pay nothing more for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year. Your monthly premium does not count toward the cap.
The standard Part D deductible can be up to $700 in 2027, after which standard coverage charges 25% coinsurance until you reach the cap. Individual plans may set lower deductibles or different cost sharing, so the figures for your plan may be different.
Premiums for stand-alone Part D plans may also change. CMS ran a temporary Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration that helped limit premium increases, and it ends after 2026. That means some stand-alone drug plans could cost more in 2027. Check the 2027 premium for your plan rather than assuming it will stay the same.
The 2027 Part B premium and the Part A and Part B deductibles are usually announced in late October or early November. If you are budgeting for next year, check Medicare.gov for those figures once they are released.
How to compare your options
The most reliable tool is the official Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov. It lets you enter your exact prescriptions, doses and preferred pharmacies, then estimates your total yearly costs for each plan. Comparing plans by premium alone is one of the most common mistakes, because a low premium can come with higher drug costs or a narrow network.
When you compare plans, look at the whole picture:
Drugs: Is every one of your prescriptions on the plan’s formulary (drug list)? Which tier is each drug on, and are there restrictions such as prior authorization or step therapy?
Doctors and hospitals: For Medicare Advantage, are your current doctors, specialists and hospitals in the plan’s network? What happens if you need care when you travel?
Costs: Compare the premium, deductible, copays and coinsurance, and for Medicare Advantage, the plan’s maximum out-of-pocket limit for medical care.
Extras: Some Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision or hearing benefits. Check what is actually covered and the annual limits rather than relying on a general description.
Example: Two drug plans in the same area have monthly premiums of $15 and $45. On paper the first looks cheaper. But if one of your regular prescriptions is on a higher tier in the cheaper plan, your yearly drug costs could be several hundred dollars higher. Entering your actual drug list into the Plan Finder shows the full yearly estimate for both.
Step-by-step: reviewing your coverage
- Read your Annual Notice of Change. Note any changes to premiums, deductibles, covered drugs and networks for 2027.
- List your prescriptions and providers. Write down every drug, dose and pharmacy, and every doctor and hospital you want to keep.
- Use the Medicare Plan Finder. Log in or search at Medicare.gov, enter your drugs and pharmacies, and compare total estimated yearly costs.
- Check networks directly. Confirm with your doctors’ offices which 2027 plans they accept, since directories can be out of date.
- Get free, unbiased help if you need it. Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free one-on-one Medicare counseling.
- Enroll before December 7. Enroll through Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE or the plan itself, and keep your confirmation number.
Help with costs
If your income and resources are limited, you may qualify for Extra Help, a federal program that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and drug copays. You can apply through the Social Security Administration. Medicare Savings Programs, run by state Medicaid agencies, may also help pay Part B premiums and other costs.
Since 2025, people with Part D coverage can also choose the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which spreads out-of-pocket drug costs into monthly payments across the year instead of paying everything at the pharmacy. It does not reduce what you owe, but it can make large costs early in the year easier to manage. Contact your drug plan to sign up.
Avoid marketing pressure and scams
Open Enrollment brings a heavy volume of advertising, calls and mail about Medicare plans. Medicare does not call you to sell plans, and a legitimate plan or agent will not ask for your Medicare number on an unsolicited call. Be cautious with anyone who claims to be “from Medicare,” pressures you to decide immediately or promises benefits that sound unusually generous.
Example: A caller says your Medicare card is expiring and you must switch plans today to keep your benefits, and asks you to confirm your Medicare number. Hang up. Medicare cards do not expire this way, and no one needs your number to tell you about a plan. Call 1-800-MEDICARE or check Medicare.gov yourself if you are unsure.
Free counseling is available from your SHIP, which does not sell insurance. If you work with a licensed agent or broker, ask which companies they represent so you understand whether you are seeing every option in your area.
Common questions
Do I have to do anything during Medicare Open Enrollment
No. If your current plan still meets your needs and is offered in 2027, it usually renews automatically. Reviewing your Annual Notice of Change is still worthwhile, because premiums, drug lists and networks can change.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare
Yes, during Open Enrollment from October 15 to December 7, and Medicare Advantage members can also switch once from January 1 to March 31. If you want a Medigap policy as well, check whether insurers in your state will accept you before switching.
What is the Part D out-of-pocket limit for 2027
It is $2,400 for covered Part D drugs, up from $2,100 in 2026. After you reach it, you pay nothing more for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year. Premiums do not count toward the limit.
What happens if I miss the December 7 deadline
Your current plan generally continues for 2027. You may still be able to make changes later if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, for example after moving out of your plan’s service area, or during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period if you are in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Where can I get free help choosing a plan
Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, unbiased counseling. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE or use the Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov.
Before you decide
Start with your Annual Notice of Change, then compare plans using your real prescriptions and doctors, not just the premium. Confirm networks directly, use free SHIP counseling if the choice feels complicated, and enroll before December 7 if you decide to change. A careful review once a year can prevent surprises when coverage renews on January 1.
Editorial note: This article is general information and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. It is not insurance advice and does not recommend any plan. Dates and the 2027 Part D figures come from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. For official information, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.