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Medicare Open Enrollment 2027: What to Check Now
8 min read
Last updated November 6, 2026
Medicare open enrollment for 2027 runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. During this window, you can switch plans, join Medicare Advantage or add drug coverage. Any changes take effect on January 1, 2027.
This guide covers the key 2027 changes and simple steps to pick the right plan.
This article is for general information only. It is not medical, legal or financial advice. Plan details vary by area, so check Medicare.gov before you choose.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare open enrollment ends on December 7, 2026.
- The Part D out-of-pocket cap rises to 2,400 dollars in 2027, up from 2,100 dollars.
- The standard Part D deductible rises to 700 dollars, up from 615 dollars.
- Officials expect average Medicare Advantage premiums to fall to about 12 dollars a month.
- Negotiated prices for 15 drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, start in 2027.
On This Page
- Medicare Open Enrollment 2027 Dates
- What You Can Change
- Big Changes for 2027
- Premiums for 2027
- Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage
- How to Compare Plans
- Mistakes to Avoid
Medicare Open Enrollment 2027 Dates
Open enrollment started on October 15, 2026. It closes on December 7, 2026.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) confirmed these dates in its 2027 plan announcement.
If you make a change, your new coverage begins on January 1, 2027. If you do nothing, your current plan usually renews.
Quick tip. Keep your Medicare card and a list of your drugs with doses next to you when you use the Plan Finder. It makes the search much faster.
What You Can Change
Open enrollment gives you several choices. Here are the most common ones.
| Move | Allowed during open enrollment |
|---|---|
| Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage | Yes |
| Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare | Yes |
| Change Medicare Advantage plans | Yes |
| Join, drop or change a Part D drug plan | Yes |
| Buy a new Medigap policy without health questions | Not guaranteed in most states |
Medigap rules are different. In most states, insurers can ask health questions if you apply after your first enrollment period.
Big Changes for 2027
Several changes could affect what you pay next year. Knowing them helps you choose wisely.
Higher Drug Cost Cap
Part D plans limit how much you pay for covered drugs each year. In 2027, that cap rises to 2,400 dollars, up from 2,100 dollars in 2026, the Associated Press reported via ABC13.
After you reach the cap, you pay nothing more for covered drugs that year.
Higher Deductible
The standard Part D deductible also rises. It goes from 615 dollars to 700 dollars in 2027.
Some plans charge a lower deductible or none at all. So compare this number when you shop.
Lower Prices for 15 Drugs
Medicare negotiated prices for 15 more drugs, and those prices start in 2027. The list includes Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy, along with Trelegy Ellipta, Xtandi and Ibrance.
If you take one of these drugs, your costs could drop. Check your plan’s drug list to see how it applies to you.
End of a Premium Subsidy
A temporary federal subsidy that helped hold down Part D premiums ends after 2026. Some stand-alone drug plans may raise prices as a result.
$2,400The 2027 yearly out-of-pocket cap for covered Part D drugs, up from $2,100 in 2026, per the Associated Press.
Premiums for 2027
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) shared new premium estimates. Average Medicare Advantage premiums should drop from 14.37 dollars to about 12 dollars a month. About eight in 10 Medicare Advantage members can keep their plan at the same or a lower premium.
The agency expects stand-alone Part D plans to average about 36 dollars a month. That is up less than one dollar from 2026.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) chief Dr. Mehmet Oz urged people to “use Open Enrollment as an opportunity to review their coverage.”
Keep in mind that averages hide big differences. Your own premium depends on your area and the plan you pick.
What About the Part B Premium?
Most people also pay a monthly Part B premium. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has not announced the 2027 amount.
The Medicare Trustees projected about 209.50 dollars a month, up from 202.90 dollars, Kiplinger noted. This premium often comes straight out of Social Security checks.
Which Medicare path are you on?
- Original Medicare with Medigap
- Original Medicare only
- Medicare Advantage
- Not on Medicare yet
Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage
Choosing between these two paths is the biggest decision in open enrollment.
| Feature | Original Medicare | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | The federal government | Private insurers approved by Medicare |
| Doctor choice | Any doctor that takes Medicare | Usually a network of doctors |
| Drug coverage | Add a separate Part D plan | Often included |
| Yearly cost limit | None unless you add Medigap | Built-in out-of-pocket limit |
| Extra benefits | Rarely | Often dental, vision or hearing |
Original Medicare offers more freedom to see any doctor. However, it has no yearly cap on costs unless you buy a Medigap policy.
Medicare Advantage often costs less each month and adds extras. On the other hand, you may need referrals and must stay in a network.
Good to know. Medicare will never call you uninvited to sell a plan or ask for your Medicare number. Hang up on these calls.
How to Compare Plans
Is Your Plan Still Right?
Answer these four questions about your current plan.
- Are all your doctors still in the plan network for 2027?
- Are all your prescriptions still covered at a fair price?
- Did your monthly premium or deductible go up?
- Did your health needs change this year?
If you answered no to question 1 or 2, or yes to question 3 or 4, compare plans before December 7.
A careful review can save you hundreds of dollars. Follow these steps.
1. Read Your Annual Notice of Change
Your plan mails this notice each fall. It lists changes to premiums, copays and covered drugs for next year.
2. List Your Drugs and Doctors
Write down every prescription with its dose. Also list the doctors and hospitals you want to keep.
3. Use the Medicare Plan Finder
Enter your drugs on the Medicare.gov Plan Finder. It ranks plans by your total estimated yearly cost.
4. Compare Total Costs
Look beyond the monthly premium. Add up deductibles, copays and drug costs to see the full picture.
5. Check Star Ratings
Medicare rates plans from one to five stars. Higher ratings often mean better service and care.
Use this tool to estimate your yearly costs for any plan.
Medicare plan yearly cost estimator
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Mistakes to Avoid
First, do not assume your plan stays the same. Drug lists and networks change every year.
Next, do not wait until December 7. Plan Finder and help lines get busy near the deadline.
Also, be careful with unsolicited calls. Medicare will not call you to sell a plan or ask for your Medicare number.
Finally, ask about help with costs. The Extra Help program can lower drug costs for people with limited income.
- Read your Annual Notice of Change
- List your drugs, doses and doctors
- Search plans on the Medicare.gov Plan Finder
- Compare total yearly costs, not just premiums
- Check star ratings
- Enroll by December 7, 2026
Add to calendar
Get Free Help Choosing a Plan
Comparing Medicare plans can feel confusing. You do not have to figure it out alone.
Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Trained counselors there offer free, unbiased help with Medicare choices.
You can also call the official Medicare helpline or use the plan finder tool on Medicare.gov. Both are free to use.
Bring a list of your doctors, pharmacies and medicines to any meeting. This makes it easier to compare plans side by side.
Watch Out for Medicare Scams
Scammers are very active during open enrollment. They often pretend to work for Medicare to steal your personal details.
- Medicare will not call you out of the blue to sell a plan.
- Never share your Medicare number with someone who calls you first.
- Be careful with free gift offers tied to switching plans.
- Hang up and call the number on your Medicare card if you feel unsure.
Check your Medicare statements for services you never received. Report anything strange to Medicare right away.
Make a Simple Enrollment Checklist
A short checklist keeps you on track before the deadline. Write it down and keep it with your Medicare papers.
- Read the Annual Notice of Change from your current plan.
- List every medicine you take and the dose.
- Check that your doctors are in the network for each plan.
- Compare total yearly costs, not just monthly premiums.
- Finish any change before open enrollment ends.
Taking these steps early gives you time to ask questions. It also helps you avoid rushed decisions in the final days.
Test Yourself
When does Medicare open enrollment end in 2026?
- November 30
- December 7
- December 31
Open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7.
What is the 2027 Part D out-of-pocket cap?
- 2,000 dollars
- 2,100 dollars
- 2,400 dollars
The cap rises to 2,400 dollars in 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Medicare open enrollment for 2027?
It runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. Changes take effect on January 1, 2027.
What is the Part D out-of-pocket cap for 2027?
The cap is 2,400 dollars for covered drugs, up from 2,100 dollars in 2026.
Can I switch back to Original Medicare?
Yes. You can leave Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare during open enrollment. Medicare Advantage members also get another chance from January 1 to March 31.
Will my plan renew automatically?
Usually yes. Still, review your Annual Notice of Change, since costs and covered drugs may shift.
Wrapping Up
Set aside an hour before December 7 to review your plan. Compare total yearly costs, confirm your drugs and doctors, and switch if a better option fits.
Also see our guide to the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2027 to plan your budget. Buying your own coverage before Medicare? Read our open enrollment 2027 guide.
Found this useful?
Editor’s Note
This guide is accurate as of November 6, 2026. Plan costs and benefits vary by location, and the 2027 Part B premium is still a projection. Check Medicare.gov for official details.
Spot an error in this article? Please contact us at support@digieh.com or read our Corrections Policy.
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