Medicare Open Enrollment 2027: 7 Checks Before You Change Your Plan

Information reviewed: October 10, 2026

Your Medicare plan may have worked well in 2026. But will it still work well in 2027?

That is the question to answer before Medicare Open Enrollment ends.

A plan can change its costs, prescription drug coverage, doctor network, or other benefits from one year to the next. Even if you are happy with your current plan, reviewing those changes could help you avoid an expensive surprise.

You do not have to switch Medicare plans every year. Sometimes keeping your current coverage is the best choice.

This guide explains seven practical checks you can make before deciding. You will also find a simple comparison worksheet, questions to ask before enrolling, and official places to get free help.

Medicare Open Enrollment 2027: Important Dates

For Medicare coverage in 2027, the annual Open Enrollment Period is:

October 15–December 7, 2026

During this period, eligible people already on Medicare can make certain changes to Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug coverage. They can also switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, subject to applicable rules.

Changes made during this period generally take effect January 1, 2027, if the plan receives the enrollment request by December 7.

You can already review 2027 plan options using the official Medicare Plan Finder.

Who is this guide for?

This article is mainly for people who already have Medicare and want to review their coverage for next year.

If you are turning 65 and enrolling in Medicare for the first time, you may have a different enrollment period. Do not wait for October 15 without checking your individual deadline.

Also, Medicare Open Enrollment is not the same as the Health Insurance Marketplace’s Open Enrollment period.

Before You Start: Gather These Five Things

You can make the comparison easier by putting the following items on a table:

Your current Medicare health or drug plan information
Your plan’s Annual Notice of Change, if applicable
A list of your prescription medications and dosages
The names of your doctors, specialists, hospitals, and pharmacies
A list of your regular healthcare costs

If you help a parent or spouse compare plans, review the information together and respect their choices and privacy.

You do not need to give your Medicare number to an unexpected caller to compare plans.

Check 1: Read What Your Current Plan Is Changing

Start with the plan you already have.

Medicare health and drug plans send an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) explaining important changes for the following year. These notices generally arrive in September.

Look for changes in:

Monthly premiums
Deductibles
Copayments and coinsurance
Prescription drug coverage
Provider networks
Coverage rules and additional benefits

Your plan’s Evidence of Coverage (EOC) provides more detailed information about covered services and costs.

What should you do?

Read your 2027 notice and highlight anything that affects care you regularly use.

For example, suppose your specialist visit costs $35 in 2026 but the notice says it will cost $50 in 2027.

If you expect 10 visits, that difference could mean an additional $150 during the year.

This is only an illustration. Your actual cost depends on your plan and care.

Ask your plan: “What are the biggest changes to my coverage and costs for 2027?”

If you cannot find the ANOC or EOC, call the customer service number on your plan materials and request them.

Do not assume that the same plan name means the same coverage next year.

Check 2: Make Sure Your Prescription Drugs Are Covered

Prescription drug costs can make a major difference between plans.

A plan with a low monthly premium might still be expensive if it charges more for medications you take regularly.

Create a medication list that includes:

Drug name, including generic or brand name
Dosage and strength
How often you take it
Your usual pharmacy
Whether you need a 30-day or 90-day supply

Then compare each plan’s formulary—its list of covered prescription drugs.

Also look for restrictions such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits.

What is changing for Part D in 2027?

Medicare reports two important figures for 2027:

$2,400: The annual out-of-pocket limit for covered Part D prescription drugs.
$700: The maximum Part D deductible a plan may charge. Some plans have a lower deductible or no deductible.

These are different limits.

The $2,400 cap does not mean all your healthcare spending is limited to $2,400. It applies to qualifying out-of-pocket spending on covered Part D drugs under Medicare’s rules. It does not replace the cost-sharing rules for medical services under Parts A and B.

You may still have plan premiums and costs for medications that are not covered.

See Medicare’s official explanation of Part D costs.

What should you do?

Enter your prescriptions into Medicare Plan Finder and compare estimated yearly costs.

Check the price at your preferred pharmacy and at other pharmacies in the plan’s network. A preferred in-network pharmacy may charge less.

If a medication appears unavailable or unusually expensive, contact the plan and ask what alternatives or coverage procedures are available.

Never stop, skip, or change a prescribed medication based only on a plan comparison. Talk with your healthcare professional first.

Check 3: Verify Your Doctors, Hospitals, and Pharmacies

One of the most frustrating insurance surprises is discovering that a familiar doctor is not in your new plan’s network.

This is particularly important with Medicare Advantage plans, which may use specific provider networks.

Before changing plans, check:

Your primary care physician
Specialists you see regularly
Your preferred hospital
Your pharmacy
Referral requirements
Out-of-network coverage rules

A question that prevents confusion

Do not ask only, “Do you accept Medicare?”

Instead, ask:

“Will you be in network for this exact Medicare Advantage plan in 2027?”

Give the doctor’s office the plan name and plan identification information, if available.

Then confirm the information with the insurance plan.

Why check both? Provider directories and contracts can change, and a doctor’s office may accept one plan from an insurance company but not another.

Write down the date, the representative’s name, and what you were told.

For Original Medicare, check whether the provider accepts Medicare and whether any other relevant coverage requirements apply.

Check 4: Compare Total Yearly Costs, Not Just Premiums

A $0 Medicare Advantage plan premium does not mean your healthcare is free.

You generally still need to pay your Medicare Part B premium, unless another program pays it for you. You may also face copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and other costs.

Consider these categories:

Cost	Why it matters
Monthly plan premium	A predictable recurring expense
Deductible	May affect what you pay before certain coverage begins
Doctor and hospital costs	Can add up with frequent visits or treatment
Prescription costs	Depend on your drugs, plan, and pharmacy
Out-of-pocket maximum	Important protection, but the applicable rules differ by coverage type

Medicare Advantage plans have annual out-of-pocket limits for covered Part A and Part B services. The limits and what counts toward them depend on plan rules.

Original Medicare generally does not have an annual out-of-pocket maximum for Part A and Part B services. Medigap or other supplemental coverage may help pay some of those costs.

A practical example

Imagine two hypothetical plans:

Plan A

$0 additional monthly plan premium
$45 specialist copayment
Higher estimated cost for one regular prescription

Plan B

$30 additional monthly plan premium
$20 specialist copayment
Lower estimated cost for that prescription

If you visit a specialist often and take that medication every month, Plan B could cost less overall despite its higher premium.

But if you rarely need specialist care, your comparison may look different.

The point is not that Plan A or Plan B is better. The right comparison uses your own expected care and medications.

Also consider the financial impact of an unexpected illness or hospitalization, not only an ordinary month.

Check 5: Understand the Risks Before Switching Coverage Types

This check deserves extra attention.

Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage are different ways to receive Medicare coverage.

Original Medicare generally allows you to use doctors and hospitals that accept Medicare nationwide, subject to Medicare’s coverage rules.

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. They must follow Medicare requirements but may have networks, referrals, prior authorization, and different cost-sharing rules.

Neither choice is automatically best for everyone.

The Medigap warning many people overlook

If you switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, you may want a Medigap policy to help cover certain out-of-pocket expenses.

But buying Medigap is not always guaranteed.

Outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or certain guaranteed-issue situations, an insurance company may be allowed to deny coverage or charge more based on applicable rules.

Some people have special protections, including certain first-year trial rights. State laws may offer additional protections.

Before leaving Medicare Advantage, find out whether you can actually obtain the Medigap policy you want and when it would begin.

Start with Medicare’s official Medigap buying rules.

If you return to Original Medicare, you may also need separate Part D prescription drug coverage.

Have retiree or employer coverage?

If you or your spouse has employer, union, or retiree health benefits, contact the benefits administrator before changing Medicare coverage.

A change could affect benefits that may be difficult or impossible to restore.

Do not cancel an existing policy until you understand the transition and have confirmed the necessary effective dates.

Check 6: Use Medicare’s Official Comparison Tool

You do not need to choose a plan based on a television advertisement or a sales presentation.

Medicare offers an official tool that lets you compare plans available in your area.

Open Medicare Plan Finder

How to compare plans step by step

Open Medicare.gov/plan-compare.
Select 2027 as the coverage year.
Enter your ZIP code.
Choose the coverage type you want to review.
Enter your prescriptions and preferred pharmacies when relevant.
Compare estimated yearly costs, coverage, and restrictions.
Save or write down the details of two or three plans you want to investigate further.

The exact buttons and steps may change as Medicare updates its website.

Do not select a plan based on a single number. Check the doctors, medications, costs, and coverage rules together.

Five questions to ask before enrolling

You can use these questions when calling a plan:

“Are my doctors and specialists in network for 2027?”
“Are all my current prescriptions covered, and what restrictions apply?”
“What would I pay for my regular visits, prescriptions, and hospital care?”
“What is the plan’s applicable out-of-pocket maximum, and what expenses count toward it?”
“If I enroll, when will coverage begin, and what happens to my current plan?”

Keep the answers with your comparison notes.

Check 7: Decide Whether Changing Plans Is Actually Worth It

After completing the first six checks, you may discover that your current plan is still a good fit.

That is a valid result.

Open Enrollment is an opportunity to review coverage—not a requirement to switch.

Ask yourself:

Does my current plan still cover my medications?
Can I continue seeing my preferred healthcare providers?
Are the total costs manageable?
Do I understand any important restrictions?
Would switching introduce new risks?
Is the potential benefit of changing clear enough to justify it?

If you decide to keep your plan, confirm that it is continuing into 2027 and review any notices requiring action.

If you decide to switch, submit your enrollment request within the applicable deadline and keep the confirmation.

For a replacement Medicare health or drug plan, enrollment in the new plan generally handles the transition from the old plan, but your specific circumstances may differ.

Do not independently cancel coverage unless you understand the consequences and have verified the correct process.

A Simple Medicare Plan Comparison Worksheet

Free Printable: 2027 Medicare Plan Comparison Worksheet

Want to compare your Medicare options on paper? Download our free two-page worksheet to record plan costs, check your doctors and prescriptions, and review important questions before making a decision.

Download the Free 2027 Medicare Comparison Worksheet (PDF)

Use this worksheet to compare your current coverage with another option.

Question	Current Plan	Alternative Plan
Monthly plan premium	______	______
Estimated yearly prescription costs	______	______
Regular doctors in network?	______	______
Preferred hospital available?	______	______
Expected specialist visit costs	______	______
Applicable out-of-pocket maximum	______	______
Important restrictions	______	______
Estimated overall yearly cost	______	______

Remember that the estimated overall cost should account for the relevant premiums and expected healthcare spending. Do not add a plan’s out-of-pocket maximum as though it were a bill you will definitely pay.

If you are comparing Original Medicare with Medicare Advantage, include any separate Part D or Medigap premiums and the differences in their cost protections.

What If You Cannot Afford Your Medicare Costs?

Before giving up important coverage because of cost, check whether you qualify for assistance.

Extra Help

Medicare’s Extra Help program helps eligible people with limited income and resources pay certain Part D prescription drug costs.

Learn more at Medicare.gov: Help With Drug Costs.

Medicare Savings Programs

State-administered Medicare Savings Programs may help eligible people pay Medicare premiums and, depending on the program, certain other Medicare costs.

Learn more at Medicare.gov: Medicare Savings Programs.

Eligibility depends on your circumstances and applicable rules. Ask your state program or a benefits counselor to review your situation.

Medicare Prescription Payment Plan

If your prescription costs are difficult to manage from month to month, Medicare also offers a payment option that spreads eligible out-of-pocket drug costs across the calendar year.

This payment option does not reduce the total cost of your medications. It changes when you pay.

Learn more at Medicare.gov: Prescription Payment Plan.

Where to Get Free, Unbiased Medicare Help

If the comparison feels confusing, you do not have to work through it alone.

Medicare

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit Medicare.gov.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

SHIP offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Find your local program at SHIPHelp.org.

A SHIP counselor can help you understand coverage choices, enrollment rules, and questions to ask before making a decision.

Protect Yourself From Medicare Enrollment Scams

Open Enrollment can also attract misleading sales calls and fraudulent offers.

Be cautious if someone unexpectedly:

Asks for your Medicare number
Demands your Social Security number or banking details
Claims your Medicare benefits will be canceled unless you act immediately
Pressures you to enroll without explaining the coverage
Promises that a particular plan is best for everyone

Do not share sensitive information with an unexpected caller.

Instead, hang up and contact Medicare or the plan using a verified phone number.

You can compare plans without giving personal account information to a stranger.

Your 2027 Medicare Open Enrollment Checklist

Before making your final decision, make sure you can check these boxes:

I reviewed my plan’s changes for 2027.
I checked my prescriptions and pharmacies.
I confirmed my doctors and hospitals.
I compared realistic yearly costs.
I understood any Medigap or coverage-switching risks.
I used official Medicare information or unbiased counseling.
I decided whether keeping or changing my plan makes sense.
If changing plans, I understand the enrollment deadline and effective date.
I kept a record of my enrollment confirmation.

Save this checklist. It can help you make a more organized decision now and review your Medicare coverage again next year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my Medicare plan every year?

No. If your current plan continues and still meets your needs, you can generally keep it. Review the annual changes before deciding.

When does Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 begin?

It begins October 15, 2026, and ends December 7, 2026. Changes made during this period generally take effect January 1, 2027.

Can I compare plans before October 15?

Yes. Medicare’s Plan Finder already allows you to review 2027 plan options.

Does the $2,400 Part D limit mean all my medical bills are capped at $2,400?

No. The 2027 $2,400 limit applies to qualifying out-of-pocket costs for covered Part D prescription drugs. It is not a general cap on hospital, doctor, or all healthcare expenses.

Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare and automatically get Medigap?

Not necessarily. Medigap eligibility and guaranteed-issue rights depend on your circumstances and applicable federal and state rules. Verify your options before changing coverage.

What if I miss the December 7 deadline?

You may have other enrollment opportunities depending on your situation. For example, people already enrolled in Medicare Advantage have certain change options during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 through March 31.

Special Enrollment Periods may also apply to qualifying circumstances. These opportunities do not allow every type of change for everyone.

Contact Medicare or SHIP to check the rules for your situation.

Can someone help me compare plans without charging a fee?

Yes. Medicare and State Health Insurance Assistance Programs provide free help.

Official Sources and Helpful Links

Final Thoughts

Choosing Medicare coverage is not about finding the plan with the loudest advertisement, the lowest advertised premium, or the longest list of extra benefits.

It is about understanding what you need and what you may actually pay.

Start with your current plan. Check your medications and doctors. Compare the full costs. Understand the risks before switching coverage types.

Then make a decision you can explain and feel comfortable with.

The best outcome of Open Enrollment may be finding a better plan—or confirming that the plan you already have is still right for you.

Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and is not personalized medical, legal, financial, or insurance advice. Medicare coverage, plan availability, enrollment rights, and costs depend on individual circumstances and location. Verify important details with Medicare, your plan, or a qualified benefits counselor before changing coverage.

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