By Robert Valincius, licensed insurance agent. Updated October 2, 2026.
Every fall, Medicare gives you a window to look at your coverage and make changes for the coming year. This year’s Open Enrollment, also called the Annual Election Period (AEP), runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026, and any changes you make start on January 1, 2027.
Plans change every year, even when you don’t. Premiums, drug lists, copays, and doctor networks can all shift, and if you do nothing, most people are simply renewed into the same plan with whatever changes came with it. A 30-minute review is usually worth it.
Key dates
| By September 30 | Your plan mails your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which lists what is changing in your plan for 2027. |
| October 15 | Open Enrollment begins. You can compare and change Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. |
| December 7 | Last day to make changes. This deadline does not move. |
| January 1, 2027 | Your new coverage starts. |
| January 1 to March 31 | Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment. If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or back to Original Medicare. |
What you can change during Open Enrollment
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Join, drop, or switch a Part D prescription drug plan
A note on Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans: Open Enrollment does not give you a guaranteed right to change your Medigap plan. In Pennsylvania, switching Medigap plans after your initial enrollment period generally means answering health questions, but you can apply any time of year, not just in the fall. If you are thinking about leaving Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare plus a Medigap plan, talk to an agent before you switch so you are not left without supplemental coverage.
What is changing for 2027
- Part D out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400. Once your out-of-pocket costs for covered drugs reach $2,400 in 2027 (up from $2,100 in 2026), you pay nothing more for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year.
- Part D deductibles can be higher. The maximum standard Part D deductible goes up to $700 for 2027. Many plans charge less, so check yours.
- More negotiated drug prices. Medicare’s negotiated prices for a second group of 15 drugs, including Ozempic, take effect January 1, 2027. If you take one of these drugs, your costs may change.
- Insulin stays capped. Covered insulin remains capped at $35 for a month’s supply under Part D.
- Part B premium not announced yet. Medicare usually announces next year’s Part B premium and deductible in the fall. We will update this page when the 2027 amounts are released.
6 things to review this year
- Read your Annual Notice of Change. It shows exactly what is different in your plan for 2027: premium, deductible, copays, drug coverage, and network.
- Check every prescription. Make sure each drug is still on your plan’s drug list (formulary), and check its tier and any new prior authorization or step therapy rules.
- Confirm your doctors and hospitals. If you are in a Medicare Advantage HMO or PPO, make sure your doctors, specialists, and hospitals are still in network for 2027.
- Confirm your pharmacy. Preferred pharmacies can change, and the same drug can cost much more at a different pharmacy.
- Look at total yearly cost, not just the premium. Add up premiums, deductibles, and the copays you expect to use. A $0 premium plan is not always the least expensive overall.
- Review extra benefits you actually use. Dental, vision, hearing, and over-the-counter allowances vary a lot between plans and change from year to year.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Letting your plan auto-renew without reading the changes. This is the most common and most expensive mistake.
- Choosing a plan by premium alone. Your drugs and doctors matter more than the monthly premium.
- Missing December 7. After that date, most people are locked into their choice until the next enrollment period.
- Trusting TV ads and unexpected phone calls. Ads often describe benefits that are not available where you live. Medicare will never call you to sell you a plan or ask for your Medicare number.
- Not checking for Extra Help. If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for Extra Help, which lowers Part D costs. It is worth checking every year.
Get help with your review
Want a simple step-by-step list to follow? Download our free Medicare Annual Enrollment checklist. If you would rather have someone walk through it with you, we will compare the plans we offer in your area against your doctors and prescriptions at no cost to you. Request a Medicare review or call (484) 744-1424.
Sources: Medicare.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Figures for 2027 are based on CMS announcements as of October 2026 and may be updated.
