Medicare Open Enrollment 2027: What to Check Before December 7

Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. During that window anyone with Medicare can switch, join or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan for 2027. Whatever you choose starts January 1, 2027. If you do nothing, your current plan usually renews.

Checked October 13, 2026 against CMS's September 28, 2026 announcement and the CY 2027 rate announcement.

Key dates

What you can change

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or the other way round
• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
• Join, switch or drop a stand-alone Part D drug plan

Open enrollment doesn't cover Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policies. They follow their own rules, and outside your first Medigap enrollment period an insurer in most states can turn you down or charge more based on your health. If you're thinking of leaving Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare, check whether you can still get a Medigap policy before you switch.

What's changing in 2027

The temporary Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration, a federal subsidy for stand-alone drug plans, ends after 2026. CMS expects the average premium to rise by less than $1. The average hides a wide spread, so check your own plan's 2027 premium in your ANOC instead of relying on the national figure.

Once your covered drug costs reach $2,400, you pay $0 for covered Part D drugs for the rest of 2027. Your monthly premium doesn't count toward the cap, and neither do drugs your plan doesn't cover.

Checklist before you switch

1. Read your Annual Notice of Change. It lists your plan's 2027 premium, deductible, copays and drug list changes.
2. List your drugs, doses and pharmacies. Enter them in the Medicare Plan Finder to see each plan's estimated total yearly cost, not just the premium.
3. Check your doctors and hospitals. Medicare Advantage plans use networks. Confirm the doctors you want are in-network for 2027.
4. Compare the out-of-pocket maximum. Medicare Advantage plans cap your yearly in-network costs, but the cap varies by plan.
5. Look at the extras carefully. Dental, vision and hearing benefits often have low limits. Don't let them outweigh drug costs and networks.
6. Enroll by December 7. Enroll through Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE or the plan. Joining a new plan usually drops you from the old one automatically.

Compare total cost, not the premium

A $0-premium plan can cost more over the year than a plan with a premium. Here's a simple example for someone whose covered drugs would cost $4,000 a year at full price:

The numbers are made up to show the math. The Plan Finder runs this calculation for your actual drugs.

If you need help paying

Extra Help lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays for people with limited income and savings. Medicare Savings Programs can pay your Part B premium, and if you qualify for one you automatically get Extra Help. You can apply any time of year, not just during open enrollment. Start with your state Medicaid office or Social Security.

Free, unbiased help

• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours a day
• Your state's SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) at shiphelp.org, free counseling that doesn't sell plans

Agents and brokers can help too, but they're usually paid by the plans they sell, and some only represent a few insurers.

Watch for scams

Medicare won't call you to sell a plan or ask for your Medicare number. Hang up on anyone who calls unprompted offering "free" benefits in exchange for your number, and report it to 1-800-MEDICARE. Ads promising extra money back on your Social Security check usually mean a Part B "giveback" plan, which only some Medicare Advantage plans offer, and only in some areas.

Related: why did I get $90 from Social Security? and what is Social Security (OASDI)?

FAQ

When is Medicare open enrollment for 2027 coverage? October 15 to December 7, 2026. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.

Do I have to do anything if I like my plan? No. If your plan is still offered in 2027, it renews automatically. Read your Annual Notice of Change first, because premiums, drug lists and doctors can change.

Can I change my Medigap policy during open enrollment? Open enrollment doesn't cover Medigap. Outside your first Medigap enrollment period, insurers in most states can use medical underwriting, so check before dropping a policy.

What happens if I miss December 7? In most cases you keep your current coverage for 2027. If you're in Medicare Advantage, you can make one change from January 1 to March 31, 2027.

What is the Part D out-of-pocket cap in 2027? $2,400, up from $2,100 in 2026. After you reach it, you pay $0 for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year. Premiums don't count toward it.

What is the 2027 Part B premium? It hasn't been announced yet. The 2026 standard premium is $202.90 a month. CMS usually announces the next year's amount in the fall.

Is it free to get help choosing a plan? Yes. 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) is open 24 hours a day, and your state's SHIP offers free, unbiased counseling.