Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7. It’s your yearly chance to change your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Any changes you make start January 1, 2027.
Plans change every year, even if you don’t. Premiums, drug lists, and doctor networks can all shift. A quick review now can save you money and surprises next year.
What can you change during Annual Enrollment?
Between October 15 and December 7, you can:
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
- Switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare
- Join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan
If you’re happy with your plan and it still fits, you don’t need to do anything. Your coverage renews automatically.
Start with your Annual Notice of Change
Your plan mails an Annual Notice of Change each fall. It lists what’s different for next year, including costs, benefits, and covered drugs. Read it first. It’s the fastest way to spot problems.
Your Annual Enrollment checklist
- Doctors and hospitals. Are your doctors still in the plan’s network for 2027? Check every specialist, not just your primary care doctor.
- Prescriptions. Are all your medications still on the plan’s drug list? Check the tier and the co-pay for each one.
- Pharmacy. Is your pharmacy still in network? Some plans have preferred pharmacies with lower co-pays.
- Monthly premium. Did it go up? Remember you still pay your Part B premium ($202.90 a month in 2026) on top of any plan premium.
- Deductibles and co-pays. Look at what you’d pay for the care you actually use, like specialist visits or lab work.
- Out-of-pocket maximum. Medicare Advantage plans cap your yearly medical costs. Check whether that cap changed.
- Extra benefits. Dental, vision, hearing, and over-the-counter allowances can shrink or disappear. Some plans are scaling back these benefits for 2027.
- Your health this year. A new diagnosis, a new medication, or an upcoming surgery can make a different plan the better fit.
What’s different for 2027?
The Part D out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400 in 2027, up from $2,100. The maximum Part D deductible rises to $700. Negotiated prices for 15 more drugs, including Ozempic, also take effect January 1.
What if you miss December 7?
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one more chance. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 to March 31. You can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare once during that window.
In New York, you can apply for a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan at any time of year. Insurers can’t turn you down for health reasons.
Get a free plan review
Comparing plans takes time. We do it for you at no cost. Erie Medicare Associates reviews your doctors, prescriptions, and budget, then shows your options side by side. Schedule your free plan review or call (716) 319-4613 to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Medicare Annual Enrollment for 2027 coverage? Annual Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.
Do I have to do anything during Annual Enrollment? No. If your plan still fits your needs, it renews automatically. A review is still a good idea, since plans change every year.
Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7? Medicare Advantage members can make one change from January 1 to March 31. Some people also qualify for Special Enrollment Periods, such as after a move or when they have Medicaid or Extra Help.
