Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: Here’s something that surprises many people: your Medicare plan can change every year, even if you never ask for a change. The monthly premium can go up. Your favorite doctor can leave the network. A medicine you take every day can move to a more expensive tier or disappear from the plan’s drug list. And if you do nothing, you’re usually enrolled in whatever your plan offers for next year.
That’s why the next few weeks matter. Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026, and it’s your once-a-year chance to look at your coverage and make a change for 2027. Think of it like a yearly check-up for your health plan. It takes about an hour, and it can save you hundreds of dollars or keep you from a nasty surprise at the pharmacy counter.
Medicare open enrollment, officially called the Annual Enrollment Period, runs from October 15, 2026, to December 7, 2026. Changes you make take effect on January 1, 2027. It’s for people who already have Medicare. During this window you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, switch back, change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or join, drop or change a Part D drug plan.
| Key date | What happens |
|---|---|
| By September 30 | Plans must mail your Annual Notice of Change |
| October 15, 2026 | Open enrollment begins |
| December 7, 2026 | Last day for your plan to receive your change |
| January 1, 2027 | New coverage begins |
| January 1 – March 31, 2027 | Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (for current Advantage members only) |
Joining on October 15 or on December 7 gives you the same January 1 start date, so there’s no benefit to rushing, but don’t wait until the last day either. Your new plan must receive your enrollment by December 7.
Who can use open enrollment?
Anyone enrolled in Medicare can use it, whether you have Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage plan or a stand-alone Part D drug plan. Roughly 68 million Americans have Medicare. This is not the same as your first sign-up. If you’re turning 65, you have a separate Initial Enrollment Period around your birthday. And if you missed signing up for Part B, a different window (the General Enrollment Period, January 1 to March 31) applies.
What can you change?
During open enrollment, you can:
- Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- Switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare (and add a Part D plan if needed)
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Join, switch or drop a Part D prescription drug plan
What you cannot do is change your Medigap (Medicare Supplement) rules. Open enrollment doesn’t automatically guarantee you can buy a Medigap policy. In most states, insurers can look at your health history if you apply outside your protected sign-up periods. If you’re thinking about leaving Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare plus Medigap, check your state’s rules and ask a counselor before you cancel anything.
What’s new for 2027?
The Part D drug cap goes up
The yearly cap on what you pay out of pocket for covered Part D drugs rises from $2,100 in 2026 to $2,400 in 2027. After you reach it, you pay nothing more for covered drugs for the rest of the year. The maximum standard Part D deductible is up to $700, though some plans charge less. Some websites still say the cap is $2,000. That was the 2025 figure, so use $2,400 for 2027.
A premium stabilizing program is ending
CMS is ending the Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration after 2026. That program helped hold down premiums for stand-alone drug plans, so Part D premiums for 2027 may change more than usual depending on your plan and where you live.
What CMS says about 2027 premiums
CMS announced on September 28 that the average Medicare Advantage premium is projected to fall from $14.37 in 2026 to $12.00 in 2027. For stand-alone Part D plans, the average premium is expected to rise by less than a dollar, from $35.09 to $36 a month. CMS also says more than 99% of people with Medicare can choose at least one Medicare Advantage plan, 97% can choose at least 10, and about eight in 10 Medicare Advantage members should be able to stay in their current plan at the same or a lower premium.
Why you shouldn’t trust the national average
A national average doesn’t tell you what your plan will cost. The CMS figure is a weighted average, and analysts reading the same data found flat or higher premiums for many individual plans. Insurers also cut the number of $0 premium plans. Some plans are leaving certain areas. Reports say Florida, Ohio and Illinois lost dozens of plans for 2027, and if your plan is ending, you can’t simply stay put. You’ll need to choose new coverage.
Your Part B premium
Most people pay the Part B premium out of their Social Security check. The 2026 standard premium is $202.90 a month. The Medicare Trustees projected about $209.50 for 2027, but that’s a projection. CMS is expected to announce the official number in November. Open enrollment changes don’t affect your Part B premium.
Your 10-step open enrollment checklist
1. Find your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
By September 30, your plan must mail you this letter. It lists changes to your plan’s costs and coverage for next year. Many people toss it as junk mail. Don’t. If you can’t find it, call your plan’s member services number (it’s on your card) or log in to the plan’s website.
2. Check your medicines, one by one
Make a list of every prescription you take, with the dose and how often. Then check:
- Is each drug still on the plan’s formulary (drug list)?
- Did it move to a higher tier, which means higher cost?
- Are there new rules, such as prior authorization or step therapy?
- Is your pharmacy still “preferred”?
3. Check your doctors and hospitals
In a Medicare Advantage plan, networks matter. Ask whether your primary doctor, your specialists and your hospital are in the network for 2027. Doctors can leave a network any time of year, so call the doctor’s office to confirm, not just the plan.
4. Look at the total cost, not just the premium
A plan with a $0 premium can still cost more over a year. Add up:
- The monthly premium
- The deductible
- Copays and coinsurance for doctors, specialists and hospital stays
- Your Part D drug costs
- The plan’s maximum out-of-pocket limit
About 70% of Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage list a $0 plan premium, but you generally still pay your Part B premium.
5. Compare plans on Medicare.gov
Use the official Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov. Enter your zip code, your medicines and your pharmacy. It will show your estimated costs for each plan.
6. Look at star ratings
Plans get ratings from 1 to 5 stars based on quality and customer satisfaction. They’re not everything, but a very low rating is a warning sign.
7. Check for extra benefits, then check the fine print
Dental, vision, hearing and gym benefits sound great. Read the details: What’s the dollar limit? Is there a network? Are there waiting periods?
8. See if you qualify for help paying
Don’t skip this step. Programs that can lower your costs include:
- Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy): reduces Part D premiums, deductibles and copays
- Medicare Savings Programs: can help pay Part B premiums
- Medicaid: some people qualify for both
Income limits change each year, so check Medicare.gov or Social Security (ssa.gov) for the latest.
9. Get free, unbiased help
Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) with trained counselors who give free, unbiased advice. They don’t sell plans. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
10. Decide, enroll and keep proof
Once you choose, enroll through Medicare.gov, the plan, or 1-800-MEDICARE. Save your confirmation number, and keep your old plan’s information until your new plan’s card arrives. Check your new ID card in late December or early January.
Do I need to do anything if I’m happy with my plan?
Not necessarily, but you should still read your ANOC first. If your plan’s costs, drug list and network still work for you, you can stay put and your coverage will continue. But “I’m happy” can change fast when a medicine moves to a pricier tier or a doctor leaves the network.
A good rule: if your health changed this year, if you take new medicines, or if your plan’s premium or deductible is going up, shop around.
Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage? A simple way to think about it
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) lets you see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, anywhere in the U.S. You usually add a Part D drug plan, and many people add a Medigap policy to help with out-of-pocket costs. There is no yearly out-of-pocket limit unless you buy Medigap.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is run by private insurers. Most include drug coverage and extras like dental and vision. Many have lower monthly premiums, but you usually must use the plan’s network, and you may need approval for some services. There is a yearly out-of-pocket limit.
CMS projects about 34 million people will be in Medicare Advantage in 2027, roughly 47% of all Medicare enrollees. Neither option is “best” for everybody. It depends on your health, your doctors, your travel habits and your budget.
What if you change your mind after December 7?
Open enrollment ends December 7, but you may still have options:
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31): If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1, you can make one switch to another Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare. It does not let you switch from Original Medicare into Advantage.
- Special Enrollment Periods: If you move, lose other coverage, or your plan leaves your area, you may get a special window. Rules are specific, so ask a SHIP counselor.
FAQ’s About Medicare open enrollment 2026
When is Medicare open enrollment in 2026?
October 15 through December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027.
Do I have to do anything?
No, but you should review your Annual Notice of Change. If you do nothing, you’re usually renewed into your current plan.
What can I change during open enrollment?
You can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Medicare Advantage plans, and join, drop or change a Part D plan.
Can I change my Medigap plan?
Open enrollment doesn’t guarantee you can buy or switch Medigap. Rules vary by state.
What is the 2027 Part D out-of-pocket cap?
$2,400, up from $2,100 in 2026.
What is the Part D deductible in 2027?
Up to $700 for the standard benefit. Some plans charge less.
Is the Part B premium going up?
It’s projected to rise from $202.90 to about $209.50, but CMS will announce the official number later in the fall.
Is open enrollment the same as Marketplace (ACA) enrollment?
No. Medicare and the Health Insurance Marketplace are separate. Don’t buy a Marketplace plan to replace Medicare.
Where can I get free help?
Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, and your state’s SHIP counselors.
Open enrollment is the one time each year you can fix a plan that no longer fits. Spend an hour with your Annual Notice of Change, a list of your medicines and the Medicare Plan Finder. Check your doctors. Add up the whole year’s cost. And if you’re unsure, call a free SHIP counselor before December 7. Do it now, not on the last day.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical, insurance or legal advice. Plan costs and coverage vary by location. Confirm details on Medicare.gov or with a licensed counselor.
Sources: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), including the 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D announcements and landscape fact sheets; Medicare.gov; Medicare Trustees Report; Social Security Administration (ssa.gov). Cross-checked against Medicare Rights Center, the American Hospital Association and other reports.
