2026-2027 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period: Dates, Plan Options and Why You Should Review Your Coverage
Key dates: The 2026-2027 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15, 2026 through December 7, 2026. Changes take effect January 1, 2027. During this window, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, change Part D drug coverage, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
When is Medicare open enrollment for 2026-2027?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is an important opportunity to review your current health and prescription drug coverage and make changes for the upcoming year.
For the 2026-2027 enrollment cycle, the key dates are:
- October 15, 2026: AEP begins
- December 7, 2026: AEP ends
- January 1, 2027: Coverage changes take effect
That December 7 deadline matters. Don't wait until the final day if you know you want to change plans. Plan information for the upcoming year becomes available during the fall, so you'll have time to compare options before deciding.
CMS advises people currently enrolled in Medicare health or drug plans to carefully review the plan materials they receive, including the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and Evidence of Coverage (EOC).
Who can make changes during AEP?
AEP is primarily designed for people who are already enrolled in Medicare and want to make changes to their Medicare Advantage or prescription drug coverage for the following year.
During AEP, eligible beneficiaries can:
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
- Leave Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare
- Enroll in a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
- Change from one Part D plan to another
- Drop Medicare Part D coverage
What Medicare plans are affected?
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They generally provide Part A and Part B benefits, and many include prescription drug coverage too.
During AEP, you can compare Medicare Advantage plans and figure out whether another plan gives you a better combination of premiums, copayments, deductibles, provider networks, and additional benefits.
This matters because Medicare Advantage plans can change from year to year. A plan's provider network, drug formulary, premiums, cost-sharing, and benefits may look different in 2027 than they did in 2026. CMS has already announced several changes affecting Medicare Advantage and Part D plans for 2027, making this enrollment period especially important.
Can I be turned down for a Medicare Advantage plan because of my health?
No you can not. Only a Medigap/Medicare Supplement. Medicare advantage plans don't require any medical underwriting.Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
AEP is also a critical time to review your Part D prescription drug coverage.
Part D plans can change their premiums, deductibles, formularies, preferred pharmacies, copayments, and other cost-sharing requirements each year. A prescription that was relatively inexpensive under one plan may cost significantly more under another plan in 2027.
The U.S. Government has confirmed that Part D premiums will increase in 2027, as a result of eliminating the Part D Stabilization Demonstration. Specific figures won't be disclosed until October 1, 2026, when new plans are released.
Compare your current medications against each plan's 2027 formulary rather than simply choosing a plan based on its monthly premium.
I don't understand how my friend pays nothing for their plan and I pay over $200-are these plans just totally random by ZIP code?
Location can absolutely play a role in your costs. For plans like Advantage, Prescription Drug, or Medigap, plans can differ, depending on which carriers are available in your state or ZIP. For Part D, available plans and costs can vary greatly depending on your location (ZIP), prescription, dosage, and refill frequency.. just to name a few.Original Medicare
If you're enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you can also use AEP to evaluate whether Medicare Advantage might be a better fit.
But know the difference: Medicare Open Enrollment is not the same as Medicare's Initial Enrollment Period or Special Enrollment Period. Different enrollment rules apply depending on your circumstances. For example, the General Enrollment Period for Part B runs from January 1 through March 31 each year and applies when someone didn't enroll when initially eligible.
What about Medicare Supplement (Medigap)?
Medigap works differently from Medicare Advantage. AEP is generally not a special annual switching period for Medigap policies.
If you're considering a move between Original Medicare with Medigap and Medicare Advantage, understand the rules first. Leaving a Medicare Advantage plan and returning to Original Medicare does not automatically guarantee you can purchase any Medigap policy at the same price or without medical underwriting. Individual circumstances and federal and state rules can affect your Medigap enrollment rights.
Anyone considering a change involving Medigap should investigate their options before disenrolling from existing coverage.
Why reviewing your plan every year matters
One of the biggest mistakes Medicare beneficiaries make is assuming their current plan will stay exactly the same. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can change annually, including costs, coverage, providers, and pharmacies.
When reviewing your coverage for 2027, look at:
- Monthly premiums — has the premium changed?
- Deductibles and copayments — how much will you pay for medical services or prescriptions?
- Prescription medications — are your current medications still covered, and what tier are they on?
- Doctors and specialists — are your preferred providers still in network?
- Hospitals — is your preferred hospital still included?
- Pharmacies — is your preferred pharmacy considered in-network or preferred?
- Additional benefits — does the plan offer dental, vision, or hearing coverage that matters to you?
- Maximum out-of-pocket costs — what's your potential annual exposure?
A plan with a low or $0 premium may have higher deductibles, copayments, or narrower networks that cost you more depending on how much healthcare you use. Looking only at the monthly premium can be misleading.
So my friend told me I should just go with the cheapest Medicare plan. That sounds too simple - what am I missing?
Everyone is unique, so making sure you cover all bases to avoid any pitfalls or gaps in coverage is absolutely critical. You could be looking at huge out of pocket expenses that could be avoided by sitting down with a Medicare professional to ensure your coverage is appropriate.Don't automatically renew without reviewing
If you're happy with your current plan and it's still being offered, you generally don't need to take action just because AEP has arrived. CMS confirms this.
But "doing nothing" should be an informed decision. Review your Annual Notice of Change and other plan materials to see what will change in 2027. Then compare your existing plan with the alternatives available in your area.
A local Medicare agent can work with you to review your existing plans during AEP, help you find the best coverage options, and avoid coverage gaps.
What are the reasons why I should work with a Medicare agent?
With so much misinformation and predatory actors surrounding the Medicare landscape, it's more important than ever to get real advice from a local consultant that can provide accurate information, and affordable options that suit your unique needs. In addition, the emergence of A.I. has created confusion for many folks. We implore anyone looking to make Medicare choices to avoid A.I. platforms, and contact a local agent that will have accurate, up-to-date information.Don't wait until December 7
The 2026-2027 AEP is a limited window. It begins October 15, 2026, and ends December 7, 2026.
If you're enrolled in Medicare Advantage or Part D, take time to review your coverage, medications, healthcare providers, and expected needs for 2027. Medicare plans change year to year, and your own healthcare needs change too.
Mark October 15 through December 7, 2026, on your calendar and make your Medicare review part of your annual healthcare planning. A licensed Medicare agent in your area can walk you through your options at no cost.
About the Author: Tyrone Carr & Associates is an Independent Medicare Insurance agency located in Brighton, MI. Founder, Tyrone Carr, is a licensed Medicare agent with over 2 decades of experience in the Medicare and Health Insurance space. Tyrone and his team of licensed Medicare agents work with folks approaching 65, or already on Medicare to educate and empower them to make the best Medicare and insurance choices for the rest of their lives.