Medicare Open Enrollment 2027: How to Choose the Right Plan

Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. This is the one time each year when almost everyone with Medicare can change plans. If you do nothing, you keep your current plan.

Doing nothing is a risk. Plans change every year. Premiums rise. Drug lists change. Doctors and pharmacies can leave a network. A plan that was a good fit last year may not be a good fit next year.

This guide shows you what to compare and gives you a simple step by step method to choose a 2027 plan with confidence.

What Medicare Open Enrollment Lets You Do

During Open Enrollment, also called the Annual Enrollment Period, you can:

Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or switch back to Original Medicare.
Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
Join, drop, or switch a Part D prescription drug plan.

Any change you make takes effect on January 1, 2027. Your enrollment request must reach the plan by December 7, 2026.

Do not confuse Medicare Open Enrollment with the ACA Marketplace open enrollment, which runs from November 1 to January 15. You cannot change Medicare plans on the Marketplace.

Why You Should Compare Every Year

One study from KFF found that about two-thirds of people with Medicare did not compare their coverage options during open enrollment. Many simply stay on autopilot.

That is easy to understand. Comparing plans takes time. But plan details change a lot from year to year. Your own needs change too. A new medication, a new diagnosis, or a move to a new area can turn a good plan into a costly one.

Plan this review as a yearly task, like a car service. One focused hour can save hundreds of dollars.

What to Compare in a 2027 Plan

Yearly Costs

Look at costs that matter for a full year, not just the monthly premium:

Monthly premium.
Deductible. In 2027, no Medicare drug plan may have a deductible above $700.
Copays and coinsurance for your drugs.
The yearly limit on what you pay out of pocket for covered drugs. In 2027, that limit is $2,400. After you reach it, your covered Part D drugs cost you nothing for the rest of the year.

A plan with a low premium can cost more in total if your drugs have high copays.

Drug Coverage

Check the plan's drug list, called a formulary. For each of your prescriptions, confirm:

Is the drug covered?
What tier is it on? Higher tiers usually cost more.
Does the plan require prior authorization or step therapy?
Are there quantity limits?

Do this with your real drug list, not from memory. Small details decide real costs.

Doctors, Hospitals and Pharmacies

Check that your doctors, hospital, and pharmacy are in the plan's network for 2027. Networks change every year. Ask the plan directly, because provider directories are sometimes out of date.

Extra Benefits and Ratings

Many Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision, hearing, fitness, or over-the-counter allowances. Compare these extras, but do not let them outshine the basic coverage.

Also check each plan's star rating from Medicare. Plans with 5 stars have the best quality scores.

Step by Step: How to Choose a Plan

Step 1: Gather Your Information

Collect your Medicare card, your current plan's Annual Notice of Change letter, and your list of doctors and pharmacies.

Step 2: List Your Drugs and Doses

Write down every prescription you take, plus the dose and how often you take it. Include anything you expect to start this year.

Step 3: Compare Plans on Medicare Plan Finder

Go to the official Plan Finder at medicare.gov/plan-compare. Enter your drugs, doctors, and pharmacy. The tool shows your estimated yearly cost for each plan. This one number is the best way to compare.

Step 4: Check the Details Behind the Numbers

Open the summary of benefits for your top two or three plans. Check the formulary, the network, and the rules for your drugs. Call the plan with any question you cannot answer from the documents.

Step 5: Confirm Your Total Yearly Cost

Add the premiums for the year to the Plan Finder estimate. Compare the totals. The lowest total cost with the coverage you need is usually the winner.

Step 6: Enroll Before December 7

Enroll through Medicare.gov, by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, or through the plan. Save your confirmation. Your new coverage starts January 1, 2027.

Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage

Feature	Original Medicare + Part D	Medicare Advantage
Monthly cost	Part B premium plus a drug plan premium	Part B premium plus a plan premium, often low
Network	Any provider that accepts Medicare	Usually a network of doctors and hospitals
Referrals	Not required	Often required for specialists
Extra benefits	Rare	Dental, vision, hearing often included
Best for	People who want the most provider choice	People who want lower premiums and extras

If you travel a lot or split time between two states, Original Medicare with a Part D plan is often the safer choice, because Medicare Advantage networks are usually local.

Important Rule: Switching Back to Original Medicare

If you move from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare, you may want a Medigap policy to cover gaps in costs. Here is the catch: you have a guaranteed right to buy Medigap without health questions only during your first 12 months in Medicare Advantage. After that, in most states, a Medigap company can check your health history and charge more or say no.

Think about this before you leave Original Medicare. For many people, the move is easy to make and hard to undo.

Free Help Is Available

You do not need to do this alone:

SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) gives free, unbiased counseling. Find your local office at shiptacenter.org.
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) answers plan questions 24 hours a day.
The Medicare & You 2027 handbook arrives in the mail by mid-October. It explains every option in plain language.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Staying on autopilot without reading your plan's Annual Notice of Change letter.
Choosing the plan with the lowest premium without checking drug costs.
Forgetting to check that your doctors and pharmacy are in the network for 2027.
Missing the December 7 deadline because you started too late.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens If I Miss the December 7 Deadline?

In most cases, you keep your current coverage and must wait for the next Open Enrollment period to make changes. People in Medicare Advantage have one more chance: the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1 to March 31, and lets you switch Advantage plans or move to Original Medicare. Certain life events, like moving or losing other coverage, can also open a Special Enrollment Period.

Can I Keep My Current Plan?

Yes. If you do nothing, your coverage continues. But check your Annual Notice of Change letter first. It lists the changes coming to your premium, deductible, and drug coverage in 2027.

Is This the Same as the Marketplace Open Enrollment?

No. Medicare Open Enrollment is only for Medicare health and drug plans. The ACA Marketplace open enrollment happens from November 1 to January 15 for people who are not on Medicare.

Does Medicare Open Enrollment Cover Medigap?

No. Medigap has its own rules. You can apply for Medigap at any time of year, but outside your protected window, companies in most states can review your health history.

Final Takeaway

Medicare Open Enrollment runs until December 7, 2026. Set aside one hour, open the Plan Finder, and compare your current plan against two or three others using your real drug list. Choose the plan with the lowest total yearly cost that keeps your doctors and pharmacy. Then enroll and save the confirmation. A small amount of work now can save you real money all year.

For official details and updates, visit Medicare.gov.