Medicare open enrollment 2027 guide: 8 things every senior needs to know before October 15. Key dates, Part D cap updates, plan changes, and how to use free SHIP counseling.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for 2027 coverage runs October 15 – December 7, 2026. During this window, seniors can switch Medicare Advantage plans, change Part D drug coverage, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Changes made during AEP take effect January 1, 2027. Here are eight things you need to know before the window opens.
The 2027 plan year brings several changes that could affect your out-of-pocket costs, drug coverage, and plan availability — especially for Medicare Advantage enrollees. CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) has continued tightening plan requirements, and beneficiaries who don't review their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) could end up in a plan that no longer serves them well.
| Enrollment Period | Dates | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) | Oct 15 – Dec 7, 2026 | Switch MA plans, change Part D, return to Original Medicare |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (OEP) | Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2027 | Switch MA plans one time, or return to Original Medicare |
| Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) | Year-round (qualifying events) | Change coverage after life events |
| General Enrollment Period | Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2027 | Enroll in Part A/B if you missed initial period |
Your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan must mail your 2027 ANOC by September 30, 2026. This document lists every change to your plan: premiums, copays, deductibles, drug formulary, and provider networks. Do not skip it. A plan that worked in 2026 may have significantly different terms in 2027.
What to look for: New premium amounts, changes to your specific drugs on the formulary, providers removed from the network, or reduction of supplemental benefits (dental, vision, hearing, over-the-counter allowances).
Action: Compare your ANOC side by side with Medicare's Plan Finder at medicare.gov. If your plan made material changes, start shopping alternatives immediately — don't wait until December.
CMS has increased pressure on Medicare Advantage insurers to exit unprofitable markets, and 2026–2027 has seen continued plan consolidation. If your plan sent a notice of non-renewal, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period and must select new coverage before your current plan ends.
Who's affected: Seniors in rural or lower-density markets where MA plan profitability is thinner. Check your mail carefully — a non-renewal notice can look like routine insurance correspondence. Our Medicare Advantage plan exits guide has the full breakdown.
The Inflation Reduction Act's $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap on Part D prescription drug costs (established in 2025) continues in 2027. This is a significant protection for seniors with high-cost medications — previously, catastrophic drug costs had no ceiling.
What changed: The cap is indexed annually. Verify your specific plan's 2027 drug costs via the Medicare Plan Finder. If you take expensive specialty drugs, a plan with strong formulary coverage may save you more than the $2,000 cap alone suggests.
The IRA's drug price negotiation provision continues to expand in 2027, with additional high-cost drugs becoming subject to CMS-negotiated pricing. If you take drugs in the pipeline for negotiation (check CMS.gov for the current negotiated drug list), your out-of-pocket cost may drop substantially.
Action: Check CMS's negotiated drug price list and compare against your current plan's formulary. Some plans may cover negotiated drugs at lower tiers in 2027 — this can significantly affect your annual drug costs.
If you're in Medicare Advantage and have struggled with prior authorization denials, narrow networks, or out-of-network costs, 2027 enrollment is your window to evaluate a switch to Original Medicare plus a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy.
Key trade-off: Original Medicare has no network restrictions — you can see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare nationwide. Medigap covers most or all cost-sharing. The downside: Medigap premiums run $100–$400+/month depending on plan and age, and most states do not guarantee issue outside the initial enrollment window. If you switch to Original Medicare and later want to return to Medigap, you may face medical underwriting (health questions). Think carefully before switching.
CMS has required stricter documentation of supplemental benefit use (dental, vision, hearing, OTC allowances, gym memberships) and some plans have scaled back benefits that were underutilized at the portfolio level. Your 2027 plan may offer lower OTC allowances, reduced dental coverage, or no vision benefit if your 2026 plan's usage data didn't justify the cost.
Action: Compare your 2027 ANOC against your current supplemental benefit schedule. If your plan is reducing dental or vision coverage you rely on, compare alternatives on medicare.gov before December 7.
Medicare's Plan Finder tool (medicare.gov/plan-compare) lets you compare plans by entering your specific drugs and see estimated annual costs. It's the most important free tool available during AEP.
But the tool has limitations: It shows network participation as of the data it was last updated with — and provider networks change. Before finalizing a 2027 plan switch, call your primary care doctor, specialists, and preferred hospital directly and ask: "Do you participate in [plan name] for 2027?"
For free personalized help: Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at shiphelp.org. SHIP counselors provide free, unbiased Medicare counseling — they are not commissioned agents.
If your income is limited, several programs can dramatically reduce Medicare costs in 2027:
Action: Apply for Extra Help at ssa.gov/extrahelp or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Apply for MSPs through your state Medicaid office.
| Action | Deadline | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Read your ANOC | Before Oct 15, 2026 | Mail from your plan |
| Compare plans | Oct 15 – Dec 7, 2026 | medicare.gov/plan-compare |
| Call doctors about network | Oct–Nov 2026 | Direct call to provider |
| Get free counseling | Any time | shiphelp.org |
| Apply for Extra Help | Any time | ssa.gov/extrahelp |
When is Medicare Open Enrollment 2027?
The Annual Enrollment Period for 2027 coverage runs October 15 – December 7, 2026. Changes made during this period take effect January 1, 2027.
What can I change during Medicare open enrollment?
You can switch Medicare Advantage plans, change your Part D drug plan, switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, or switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage.
Do I have to do anything during open enrollment if I'm happy with my plan?
No action is required if you want to stay in your current plan — but you should still read your ANOC to understand any 2027 changes before deciding to stay.
What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
Separate from AEP, the MA OEP runs January 1 – March 31, 2027. During this window you can switch MA plans one time, or return to Original Medicare with Part D coverage.
How do I find free Medicare counseling?
Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at shiphelp.org or call 1-800-MEDICARE. SHIP counselors are free and do not sell insurance.
What if my Medicare Advantage plan is leaving my area?
You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. You must choose a new plan before your current coverage ends. Call 1-800-MEDICARE for guidance.
Will Medicare premiums increase in 2027?
CMS typically announces 2027 Medicare Part B premium amounts in November 2026. Part A premiums are set annually as well. Watch for the annual Medicare & You handbook (mailed in fall 2026) for confirmed 2027 amounts.
What is SHIP and how can it help me?
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling in every state. Unlike insurance agents, SHIP counselors have no financial interest in which plan you choose.
Last updated: June 2026. Medicare plan details, premiums, and benefits for 2027 will not be fully available until fall 2026 — verify all plan specifics using Medicare's official Plan Finder at medicare.gov during open enrollment. This article is for informational purposes only. Contact 1-800-MEDICARE or a licensed SHIP counselor for personalized guidance.
Reviewed by the SeniorSimple editorial team. Our Medicare coverage follows CMS official guidance and is updated each enrollment season.
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