Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: Oct 15–Dec 7 and What to Check
As of September 2026, Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, and any change you make takes effect on January 1, 2027. This guide covers what you can switch, what is changing in 2027, and six things to check before the December 7 deadline.
Most people skip Open Enrollment because their plan "worked fine this year." That is a risky habit for 2027. Part D costs are going up, a federal subsidy that held down drug plan premiums is ending, and your plan's network or drug list can change without you doing anything. A 30-minute review in October can save you a year of surprises.
When Is Medicare Open Enrollment?
Medicare Open Enrollment happens every year from October 15 through December 7. The dates do not move. Whatever you choose takes effect on January 1 of the next year, so this fall's window sets your coverage for all of 2027.
The deadline is stricter than it looks. Medicare.gov says the plan must get your enrollment request by December 7. If you mail a paper form, mail it early. If you enroll online or by phone, you get a confirmation right away.
Open Enrollment is only one of several windows. People often mix them up, so here is how they compare.
| Enrollment period | Dates | Who it is for | Coverage starts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Enrollment | Oct 15 – Dec 7 | Everyone with Medicare | January 1 |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment | Jan 1 – Mar 31 | Only people already in a Medicare Advantage Plan | First of the month after the plan gets your request |
| Initial Enrollment Period | 3 months before to 3 months after you get Medicare | People new to Medicare | Varies |
| Special Enrollment Periods | Varies | Life events: moving, losing coverage, getting Medicaid or Extra Help | Generally the first of the next month |
Source: Medicare.gov, "Joining a plan" and "Open Enrollment," retrieved September 2026.
What You Can Change During Open Enrollment
What you can do depends on the coverage you have now. Medicare.gov lists three kinds of changes:
- Medicare Advantage: join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan, with or without drug coverage. You can also add or drop drug coverage.
- Drug plans: if you have Original Medicare, you can join, drop, or switch a Medicare drug plan (Part D).
- How you get coverage: move from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan, or from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare.
One thing Open Enrollment does not fix is Medigap. If you leave Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare, you may need a separate drug plan, and you may want Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) to cover your share of costs. Medicare.gov warns that there are limits on when you can add Medigap. Outside certain protected periods, an insurer may be able to look at your health history before selling you a policy. Check your Medigap options before you drop an Advantage plan, not after.
You also do not need to act if you are happy with your plan. If you do nothing, most plans simply renew for next year, with next year's costs and rules.
Related: Medicare Part B Premium 2026: Why Yours Isn't $202.90
What Is Changing for 2027
Several changes make this year's review more important than usual. Here are the ones confirmed in official or plan-published figures so far.
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Part D standard deductible (maximum) | $615 | $700 |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap on covered drugs | $2,100 | $2,400 |
| Part D base beneficiary premium | — | $41.33 |
| Premium Stabilization Demonstration | Active | Ended |
Sources: CMS, Part D 2027 bid information fact sheet (July 28, 2026); CMS CY 2027 Rate Announcement; UnitedHealthcare and MedicarePlanning.com summaries of the 2027 Part D parameters. Retrieved September 2026.
Drug costs rise at both ends. The maximum deductible goes from $615 to $700, and the yearly cap on what you pay for covered Part D drugs rises from $2,100 to $2,400. CMS raises both numbers each year by a formula tied to Part D spending. The cap still protects you. It is just $300 higher.
A premium subsidy is ending. For 2025 and 2026, CMS ran a Premium Stabilization Demonstration that limited how much stand-alone drug plan premiums could rise. CMS said it will discontinue the demonstration at the end of 2026. KFF noted that some stand-alone drug plan enrollees could see larger premium increases in 2027 than in recent years. Plan-by-plan premiums were not public when KFF wrote that in late July. Your plan's notice will show your number.
Other changes in Medicare's 2027 fact sheet: prices for the next 15 drugs Medicare negotiated under Part D take effect January 1, 2027. Telehealth at any U.S. location, including your home, stays available through December 31, 2027. Starting January 1, 2027, Medicare Advantage Plans may process prior authorization requests electronically.
6 Things to Check Before December 7
Start with the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). Your plan mails it in September. It lists the changes in coverage and costs that take effect in January. If you have not seen it, call your plan and ask for it.
Then run through this list. It takes less time than it looks.
- 1. Your drugs: Is every prescription still on the plan's drug list for 2027, and at what tier?
- 2. Your doctors and pharmacies: Are they still in network? Ask them directly, not only the plan.
- 3. Monthly premium: What will you pay in 2027? Stand-alone drug plans deserve a close look this year.
- 4. Deductible and yearly drug estimate: Enter your drugs in Medicare Plan Finder to see an estimated yearly cost, not just the premium.
- 5. Travel: If you spend part of the year in another state, will the plan cover you there?
- 6. Other coverage: If you also have employer, retiree, or union coverage, talk to that benefits office before you change anything.
The best tool is Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov/plan-compare. You can enter your prescriptions and compare estimated yearly costs across plans in your ZIP code. When you pick a plan, you can enroll there, call the plan directly, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).
If you want a second opinion that is not selling anything, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Medicare.gov describes SHIPs as free, personalized counseling that is not connected to any insurance company. That matters in October, when ads and cold calls ramp up.
Related: Social Security COLA 2027: The Formula and the 317.265 Base
Missed It? The Other Enrollment Windows
If December 7 passes, you are not always stuck for a full year. Three windows are worth knowing.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (January 1 – March 31). This one only applies if you are already in a Medicare Advantage Plan. You can switch to another Advantage plan, or drop it and return to Original Medicare. If you return to Original Medicare, you can also join a separate drug plan. It does not let someone in Original Medicare join an Advantage plan.
The 5-star Special Enrollment Period. If a Medicare Advantage Plan, drug plan, or Cost Plan with a 5-star quality rating is available where you live, you can switch into it. Medicare.gov says you can use this only once between December 8 and November 30 of the following year. Be careful: moving from an Advantage plan with drug coverage to a stand-alone drug plan sends you back to Original Medicare and ends your Advantage health benefits.
Life-event Special Enrollment Periods. Moving out of your plan's service area gives you a window that lasts 2 full months after you move. Losing employer or union coverage gives you 2 months after that coverage ends. Losing Medicaid gives you 3 months. Getting Extra Help to pay drug costs also opens options.
FAQ
When is Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage?
October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes you make take effect January 1, 2027, and the plan must receive your request by December 7.
Do I have to do anything during Open Enrollment?
No. If you take no action, most plans renew automatically. But the plan's premium, drug list, and network can change, so review your Annual Notice of Change before you decide to stay.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare?
Yes. You can do it during Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7) or during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31). Check Medigap availability first, because there are limits on when you can buy it.
What is the Part D out-of-pocket cap in 2027?
$2,400 for covered Part D drugs, up from $2,100 in 2026. The maximum standard deductible rises to $700 from $615.
Where can I get free, unbiased help?
Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free personalized counseling and is not connected to any insurance company. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Bottom Line
Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, and it is the one time each year when everyone with Medicare can change plans. For 2027, drug costs rise, the Part D premium subsidy ends, and your plan's details may shift under you.
Read your Annual Notice of Change, check your drugs and doctors, and run your prescriptions through Plan Finder. If the numbers still work, staying put is a fine choice. Just make it a choice.
Sources
- Medicare.gov · Open Enrollment
- Medicare.gov · Joining a plan
- Medicare.gov · Special Enrollment Periods
- Medicare.gov · Plan Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
- Medicare.gov · Your Medicare in 2027: What's New & Changing
- CMS · Medicare Part D 2027 National Average Monthly Bid Amount Information
- KFF · CMS's decision to end temporary subsidies to stand-alone drug plans
- UnitedHealthcare · Medicare Part D deductibles in 2027
This article is for general information only and is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Rules change — verify with the official sources linked above or consult a licensed professional before acting.