Medicare Open Enrollment 2027: Dates, Changes and 10 Things to Check Before December 7

Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage begins October 15, 2026 and ends December 7, 2026.

But Medicare beneficiaries do not have to wait until October 15 to start reviewing their choices.

The official Medicare Plan Finder is already displaying 2027 health and prescription drug plan options, allowing beneficiaries to compare plans available in their ZIP code before the enrollment window opens.

This year’s review could be particularly important because Medicare Advantage premiums, prescription drug costs, plan networks and Part D benefit amounts are changing for 2027.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) projects that the weighted average Medicare Advantage premium will fall to $12 per month in 2027, while the average stand-alone Part D premium is expected to be about $36 per month.

At the same time, the defined-standard Medicare Part D deductible rises to $700, and the Part D annual out-of-pocket threshold rises to $2,400.

Those national numbers can be useful, but they do not tell you whether your individual plan remains the best choice.

Your doctors, prescription drugs, pharmacy network, deductibles and other costs can all change.

Here is what to check before the December 7 Medicare Open Enrollment deadline.

Medicare Open Enrollment 2027 Dates at a Glance

Medicare deadline	Date
Start comparing 2027 plans	Available now
Medicare Open Enrollment begins	October 15, 2026
Medicare Open Enrollment ends	December 7, 2026
Most new coverage begins	January 1, 2027
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment	January 1–March 31, 2027

Medicare.gov confirms that changes made during the October 15–December 7 Open Enrollment Period generally take effect on January 1 of the following year, provided the plan receives the enrollment request by December 7.

You can review official 2027 plans now using the Medicare Plan Finder.

What Can You Change During Medicare Open Enrollment?

Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment Period allows beneficiaries to make several types of coverage changes.

Depending on your current coverage, you may be able to:

• switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another;
• switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage;
• leave Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare;
• join a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan;
• switch from one Part D plan to another;
• drop Medicare drug coverage where permitted; or
• change between Medicare Advantage plans with and without prescription drug coverage.

The official rules are available on the Medicare Open Enrollment page.

If you make no change, your existing coverage will generally continue into the next year if the plan remains available, but the plan’s 2027 costs and benefits may not be the same as they were in 2026.

That is why reviewing your coverage can matter even if you are satisfied with your current plan.

1. Read Your Annual Notice of Change

One of the most important Medicare documents to review is the Annual Notice of Change, commonly called the ANOC.

Medicare says plans send this notice each fall.

The ANOC explains changes taking effect in January, including changes to:

• premiums;
• deductibles;
• copayments;
• covered benefits;
• prescription drug coverage; and
• other plan rules.

Medicare.gov recommends reviewing the notice to determine whether the plan will continue to meet your needs.

If you did not receive your ANOC, contact your plan.

You can read Medicare’s explanation of the document on the Annual Notice of Change page.

Do not assume that because your plan has the same name, everything else remains unchanged.

2. Check Whether Your Doctors Are Still In-Network

Provider networks are one of the most important things to verify if you have Medicare Advantage.

Check whether your:

• primary-care doctor;
• cardiologist;
• oncologist;
• endocrinologist;
• other specialists;
• preferred hospital; and
• other health-care facilities

remain in-network for 2027.

A plan with a low premium may become much less attractive if an important doctor or hospital is no longer participating.

Do not rely only on last year’s network information.

Use the plan’s current 2027 provider directory and, when the provider is especially important, consider confirming participation directly with both the plan and provider.

3. Check Every Prescription Drug You Take

Prescription formularies can change from year to year.

Make a complete list of your current medications and compare them with each plan’s 2027 formulary.

Check:

• whether each drug is covered;
• the drug’s formulary tier;
• copayment or coinsurance;
• deductible treatment;
• quantity limits;
• prior authorization;
• step therapy requirements; and
• preferred pharmacy pricing.

Even a small formulary change can potentially matter more financially than a modest difference in monthly premiums.

The official Medicare Plan Finder allows users to save prescriptions and pharmacies and compare estimated costs across available plans.

4. Don’t Choose a Plan Based Only on the Premium

Premiums are easy to compare, but they are only one part of total Medicare costs.

For example, CMS projects the weighted average Medicare Advantage premium to decline from:

$14.37 in 2026

to:

$12.00 in 2027

That is a projected decline of:

16.5%

CMS also projects the average stand-alone Part D premium at approximately:

$36 per month in 2027

compared with $35.09 in 2026.

But a lower-premium plan can still have higher:

• deductibles;
• specialist copays;
• hospital copays;
• coinsurance;
• drug costs; or
• maximum out-of-pocket limits.

CMS specifically encourages Medicare beneficiaries to compare costs, benefits and other coverage information because plan details can change from year to year.

5. Check the 2027 Medicare Part D Deductible

Prescription drug costs deserve extra attention in 2027.

The defined-standard Medicare Part D deductible increases from:

$615 in 2026

to:

$700 in 2027

Difference:

$700 − $615 = $85

That represents an increase of approximately:

13.8%

However, $700 is the defined-standard deductible.

Individual Part D plans may use different benefit designs within Medicare rules.

Always check the actual deductible for the plan you are considering.

6. Check the $2,400 Part D Out-of-Pocket Threshold

The defined-standard Medicare Part D annual out-of-pocket threshold also increases in 2027.

It rises from:

$2,100 in 2026

to:

$2,400 in 2027

Difference:

$300

Once qualifying Part D spending reaches the applicable threshold, beneficiaries enter catastrophic coverage.

Under the redesigned Part D benefit, beneficiaries owe no cost sharing for covered Part D drugs during the catastrophic phase.

This protection can be especially important for people who use expensive prescription drugs.

7. Check Whether You Take One of the 15 Drugs With New Medicare Negotiated Prices

Another major 2027 Medicare change affects 15 high-cost Part D drugs.

CMS negotiated prices for selected medications including:

• Ozempic;
• Rybelsus;
• Wegovy;
• Trelegy Ellipta;
• Linzess;
• Janumet;
• Tradjenta;
• Breo Ellipta;
• Xtandi;
• Ibrance;
• Pomalyst;
• Ofev;
• Calquence;
• Austedo;
• Xifaxan;
• Vraylar; and
• Otezla product groups.

Some brand names are grouped as a single selected drug under Medicare’s negotiation rules.

The negotiated prices take effect January 1, 2027.

If you take one of these medications, check how your individual 2027 Part D plan covers it.

A negotiated Medicare price does not necessarily equal your final pharmacy copayment.

Your out-of-pocket cost still depends on your plan’s benefit structure, deductible, cost-sharing rules and other factors.

CMS provides the official list on its Selected Drugs and Negotiated Prices page.

8. Check Your Preferred Pharmacies

The pharmacy you use can affect what you pay under Medicare Part D.

Some prescription drug plans designate certain pharmacies as preferred pharmacies, where beneficiaries may receive lower cost sharing.

Another participating pharmacy could be considered a standard network pharmacy and charge more for the same prescription.

Before selecting a plan, compare:

• your preferred local pharmacy;
• another nearby pharmacy;
• mail-order options; and
• the plan’s preferred pharmacy network.

If convenience matters, also confirm pharmacy hours and location rather than choosing based exclusively on estimated prescription cost.

9. Check the Medicare Advantage Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limit

If you have or are considering Medicare Advantage, check the plan’s annual maximum out-of-pocket amount for covered Part A and Part B services.

This number can matter more than the monthly premium if you need significant medical care during the year.

Compare both:

What will I pay every month?

and:

What is the most I could potentially pay for covered medical services during a difficult health year?

Also examine major copay categories such as:

• inpatient hospitalization;
• outpatient surgery;
• specialist visits;
• emergency-room care;
• diagnostic imaging;
• rehabilitation; and
• skilled nursing services.

A $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan is not automatically a zero-cost plan.

Beneficiaries generally still pay their Medicare Part B premium and can have additional cost sharing when they receive care.

10. Review Dental, Vision, Hearing and Other Extra Benefits

Medicare Advantage plans frequently advertise supplemental benefits such as:

• dental;
• vision;
• hearing;
• fitness programs; and
• other services.

But simply seeing the words “dental coverage” does not tell you how valuable the benefit is.

Check:

• annual benefit limits;
• participating provider networks;
• whether preventive and major services are covered;
• copayments;
• coinsurance;
• waiting periods where applicable; and
• exclusions.

A benefit advertised prominently by a plan can still have meaningful restrictions.

Compare the details rather than counting the number of extra benefits.

What Are the Biggest Medicare Plan Changes for 2027?

Several broad changes are worth knowing before Open Enrollment.

Medicare Advantage average premiums are projected to decline

CMS projects the weighted average monthly Medicare Advantage premium at:

$12 in 2027

compared with:

$14.37 in 2026

CMS says more than 99% of Medicare beneficiaries are expected to have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan in 2027.

The agency also says 97% are expected to have access to 10 or more Medicare Advantage options.

Stand-alone Part D premiums are projected to remain relatively stable

CMS projects the average stand-alone prescription drug plan premium at approximately:

$36 per month

compared with:

$35.09 in 2026

The national average therefore rises by less than $1.

Medicare Advantage drug premiums are projected to fall

For Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage, CMS projects the average Part D premium component to decline from:

$11.32 in 2026

to:

$7 in 2027

That is a projected decline of approximately:

38%

Remember that these are national averages.

Your own plan may move in a different direction.

2027 Plans Are Already Available to Compare

You do not have to wait until October 15 to research your options.

The official Medicare Plan Finder currently allows users to review 2027 plan options.

Beneficiaries can enter a ZIP code and compare Medicare health and prescription drug plans available in their area.

Logging into a Medicare account can make comparisons more personalized by allowing users to work with saved prescriptions and pharmacy information.

Use the official Medicare Plan Finder rather than relying solely on advertisements or marketing materials.

What If You Want to Switch From Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare?

The October 15–December 7 Open Enrollment Period allows beneficiaries to switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare.

However, there is an important issue to consider:

Medigap eligibility is separate from Medicare Advantage enrollment.

Medicare.gov notes that there are limits on when people can add Medicare Supplement Insurance, commonly known as Medigap.

That means someone considering leaving Medicare Advantage should research Medigap eligibility and pricing before assuming they will automatically be able to purchase the Medigap policy they want after returning to Original Medicare.

Rules and consumer protections can depend on the person’s circumstances and state.

Do not cancel existing coverage until you understand how the replacement coverage will work.

What’s the Difference Between Medicare Open Enrollment and Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment?

These two enrollment periods are easy to confuse.

Medicare Open Enrollment

Runs:

October 15–December 7

This is the broad annual enrollment period.

During this time, depending on your current coverage, you can generally:

• join Medicare Advantage;
• switch Medicare Advantage plans;
• leave Medicare Advantage;
• join or switch Part D plans; or
• return to Original Medicare.

Changes generally take effect January 1.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

Runs:

January 1–March 31

This period is only for people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

During this period, Medicare says you can make one change to:

• switch to another Medicare Advantage plan; or
• leave Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare, with the option to join a separate Medicare drug plan.

If you have Original Medicare, the January 1–March 31 Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period does not give you a general opportunity to switch into Medicare Advantage or freely change standalone drug plans.

The distinction matters, so the October 15–December 7 window should not be treated as though every decision can easily be reversed later.

What Happens If You Miss the December 7 Deadline?

For most beneficiaries, coverage selected during Medicare Open Enrollment must be submitted by December 7 for the change to take effect January 1.

If you miss the deadline, your ability to make another change depends on your coverage and circumstances.

People already enrolled in Medicare Advantage have the January 1–March 31 Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.

Other beneficiaries may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period when certain events happen, such as moving or losing qualifying coverage.

Medicare maintains a list of qualifying circumstances on its Special Enrollment Periods page.

Do not assume missing December 7 automatically gives you another unrestricted enrollment opportunity.

Medicare Plan Finder Improvements for 2027

CMS says it has made changes to Medicare.gov and the Plan Finder experience ahead of 2027 Open Enrollment.

Users can sign in through services including Login.gov and ID.me and can save provider information to help compare plans.

CMS also says that beginning in October, Medicare.gov users will be able to see additional preventive-service information, connect more easily to plan documents such as formularies and Summary of Benefits documents, and receive clearer messages about changes affecting current plans.

These improvements are intended to make comparing 2027 coverage easier.

Medicare Open Enrollment 2027 Checklist

Before selecting or keeping a plan, work through this checklist:

□ Read your Annual Notice of Change

□ Confirm your doctors are still in-network

□ Confirm your preferred hospitals are in-network

□ Enter every prescription into Medicare Plan Finder

□ Check each medication’s formulary tier

□ Compare preferred pharmacy pricing

□ Compare monthly premiums

□ Compare medical and drug deductibles

□ Check specialist and hospital copays

□ Review the maximum out-of-pocket amount

□ Review dental, vision and hearing limits

□ Check prior authorization requirements

□ Review your Part D deductible

□ Check whether you take a drug with a new 2027 negotiated price

□ Compare total estimated yearly cost—not just premiums

□ Confirm your choice before December 7

Medicare and Social Security in 2027

Health-care costs are only one side of the retirement budget.

Social Security beneficiaries are also waiting for their final 2027 cost-of-living adjustment.

You can estimate possible benefit changes using our Social Security COLA 2027 Calculator.

For a broader overview, see our 2027 Social Security Benefit Changes: COLA, Retirement Age and New Limits.

You can also review our Social Security Benefit Increase Projection for 2027.

Understanding both retirement income and Medicare expenses can give beneficiaries a more useful picture of their expected 2027 budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Does Medicare Open Enrollment Start for 2027?

Medicare Open Enrollment starts October 15, 2026.

When Does Medicare Open Enrollment End?

The annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period ends December 7, 2026.

When Does New Medicare Coverage Start?

Coverage selected during Open Enrollment generally begins January 1, 2027, provided the plan receives the enrollment request by December 7.

Can I Compare 2027 Medicare Plans Before October 15?

Yes.

The official Medicare Plan Finder is already displaying 2027 plan options.

You can compare health and prescription drug plans at Medicare.gov.

Do I Have to Change My Medicare Plan Every Year?

No.

You do not have to switch plans every year.

However, Medicare recommends reviewing your coverage because plan costs and benefits can change.

Can I Change From Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare?

Yes.

During the October 15–December 7 Open Enrollment Period, beneficiaries can generally leave Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare.

Consider Part D and Medigap implications before making the switch.

Can I Switch From Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage?

Yes.

Medicare Open Enrollment allows eligible beneficiaries to switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.

Can I Switch Part D Plans During Open Enrollment?

Yes.

If you have Original Medicare, you can generally join, drop or switch Medicare drug plans during the annual Open Enrollment Period.

What Is the 2027 Medicare Part D Deductible?

The defined-standard Part D deductible is $700 in 2027, up from $615 in 2026.

What Is the 2027 Medicare Part D Out-of-Pocket Threshold?

The defined-standard Part D annual out-of-pocket threshold is $2,400 in 2027, up from $2,100 in 2026.

What Is the Average Medicare Advantage Premium for 2027?

CMS projects a weighted average monthly Medicare Advantage premium of $12 in 2027, compared with $14.37 in 2026.

What Is the Average Part D Premium for 2027?

CMS projects the average stand-alone Medicare Part D premium at approximately $36 per month.

Actual plan premiums vary.

What Happens If I Miss Medicare Open Enrollment?

Your options depend on your coverage and circumstances.

People already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can make one permitted change during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 through March 31.

Other beneficiaries may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period under certain circumstances.

Bottom Line

Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from:

October 15 through December 7, 2026

But beneficiaries can already begin comparing 2027 Medicare plans through the official Medicare Plan Finder.

This year’s review should go far beyond the monthly premium.

Before keeping or changing coverage, check:

• your doctors;
• hospitals;
• prescriptions;
• formularies;
• pharmacy network;
• deductibles;
• copayments;
• maximum out-of-pocket limits; and
• supplemental benefits.

Several important Medicare figures are also changing.

The defined-standard Part D deductible rises to:

$700

The Part D annual out-of-pocket threshold rises to:

$2,400

CMS projects the weighted average Medicare Advantage premium at:

$12 per month

and the average stand-alone Part D premium at approximately:

$36 per month

Those national averages are useful context, but the most important numbers are the ones attached to the specific plans available where you live.

Review your current plan’s Annual Notice of Change, compare your 2027 options, and complete any desired switch before the December 7 deadline.

Related Reading on Elite Era Trends

Social Security COLA 2027 Calculator

2027 Social Security Benefit Changes: COLA, Retirement Age and New Limits

Social Security Benefit Increase Projection 2027

How Is Social Security COLA Calculated? CPI-W Formula and 2027 Estimate