Medicare Open Enrollment
Updated October 2026 · 2027 plan-year figures from CMS
Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026, and changes take effect January 1, 2027. During it you can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Medicare Advantage plans, and join, switch or drop a Part D drug plan. Doing nothing keeps your current plan — with its 2027 premiums and drug list.
2027 is a year to check carefully: the Part D out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400, the federal subsidy that held drug-plan premiums down ends, and the average Medicare Advantage enrollee has fewer plans to choose from.
What you can and can't change
| Change | Medicare open enrollment (Oct 15–Dec 7) | MA open enrollment (Jan 1–Mar 31) |
|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare → Medicare Advantage | Yes | No |
| Switch Medicare Advantage plans | Yes | Yes, once |
| Medicare Advantage → Original Medicare (+ Part D) | Yes | Yes, once |
| Join, switch or drop a Part D plan | Yes | Only when leaving Medicare Advantage |
| Buy a Medigap policy | Not an enrollment period for Medigap — insurers can usually use medical underwriting | Same |
What's new for 2027
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 | $2,400 |
| Maximum Part D deductible | $615 | $700 |
| Average Medicare Advantage premium | $14.37 | about $12 |
| Average stand-alone Part D premium | $35.09 | about $36 |
| Medicare Advantage plans available (average) | 39 | 35 |
Sources: Medicare Rights Center (CMS data); Pharmacist's Letter; CMS 2027 landscape fact sheets. Insulin stays capped at $35 a month, and negotiated prices for 15 more drugs — including Ozempic, Janumet, Linzess and Trelegy Ellipta — take effect in 2027. The Part D premium stabilization demonstration that limited premium increases ends after 2026, so check your own plan's premium even if the average barely moves.
How to compare plans in Medicare open enrollment
- Read your Annual Notice of Change. Your plan mailed it by September 30: it lists 2027 changes to premiums, drug list, pharmacies and doctors.
- List your drugs and doctors. Write down every prescription with its dose, plus the doctors and pharmacies you want to keep.
- Compare plans on Medicare Plan Finder. Enter your drugs at Medicare.gov/plan-compare to see each plan's total yearly cost, not just the premium.
- Check star ratings and networks. Prefer plans rated 4 stars or more and confirm your doctors are in network.
- Enroll by December 7. Join through Plan Finder, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or the plan. Joining a new plan automatically ends the old one.
Compare the estimated total yearly cost (premium + deductible + copays), not the premium alone. A $0-premium plan can cost more than a $40 plan if your drugs sit on a high tier.
Missed December 7?
- Medicare Advantage open enrollment (January 1–March 31) lets Advantage members switch plans or go back to Original Medicare once.
- Special enrollment periods apply when you move, lose employer coverage, qualify for Extra Help or Medicaid, or your plan leaves your area.
- 5-star plans can be joined once a year at almost any time (December 8 to November 30).
Going without drug coverage can trigger a lifelong late penalty — see Medicare Part D.
Get free, unbiased help
Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) gives free one-on-one counseling and isn't paid to sell plans: 1-877-839-2675. Medicare itself answers at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24/7 — see Medicare phone numbers. TV ads promising "extra benefits" usually come from brokers or call centers paid by insurers.
Frequently asked questions
When is Medicare open enrollment for 2027?
October 15 to December 7, 2026. Changes you make take effect January 1, 2027.
What happens if I don't do anything during Medicare open enrollment?
You stay in your current plan for 2027 with its new premiums, deductible and drug list, as described in your Annual Notice of Change. If your plan is ending, you'll get a notice and a special enrollment period.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap during open enrollment?
You can return to Original Medicare and join a Part D plan, but in most states a Medigap insurer can deny you or charge more based on health. Apply for Medigap first.
What is the Part D out-of-pocket maximum for 2027?
$2,400, up from $2,100 in 2026. After that you pay nothing for covered drugs for the rest of the year.
Is Medicare open enrollment the same as the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period?
No. The Medicare Advantage open enrollment period runs January 1 to March 31 and is only for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan.