When is Medicare open enrollment for 2027, and what can you change?
Published Sep 13, 2026
Medicare open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. During that window you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D drug plan, and your new coverage starts January 1, 2027. Free, unbiased help is available from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Information current as of September 13, 2026.
Key dates
- October 15 – December 7, 2026: Medicare open enrollment. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.
- January 1 – March 31, 2027: Medicare Advantage open enrollment, for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan. You can make one change: switch to another Medicare Advantage plan, or drop it and go back to Original Medicare.
What you can change during open enrollment
- Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare.
- Join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan.
Read your plan's notice first
If you're in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, your plan sends an Annual Notice of Change each fall listing what changes in January, such as premiums, drug coverage, and provider networks. If your plan is leaving Medicare, you'll get a separate non-renewal notice, and you'll have a special enrollment period to pick new coverage.
What's changing for 2027
- Part D out-of-pocket limit: rises from $2,100 in 2026 to $2,400 in 2027.
- Part D deductible: the standard maximum rises from $615 to $700.
- Part B premium: CMS had not announced the 2027 amount as of September 13, 2026. It usually does so in the fall. The 2026 standard premium is $202.90 a month.
- Plan changes: some insurers have announced they won't renew certain plans for 2027. Check your notices carefully.
Where to get unbiased help
- SHIP: free, one-on-one Medicare counseling in every state. Find yours at shiphelp.org or call 877-839-2675.
- Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov lists every plan available where you live.
- 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048) is available 24 hours a day.
Agents, brokers, and call centers may not offer every plan in your area. If someone recommends a plan, compare it in Plan Finder before you enroll.
WhyInsurance.me doesn't sell Medicare plans and isn't paid when anyone enrolls.
Frequently asked questions
＋ When does Medicare open enrollment for 2027 start and end?
It runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. Changes you make take effect January 1, 2027.
＋ Can I change my Medicare Advantage plan after December 7?
If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change between January 1 and March 31, 2027: switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare. Other special enrollment periods may apply in specific situations.
＋ Where can I get free help choosing a Medicare plan?
Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, unbiased counseling. You can also compare every plan in Medicare Plan Finder or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Compare plans in Medicare Plan Finder
Related on Health Insurance
Educational content only — not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Requirements and pricing vary by state.
Sources
- Joining a plan — Medicare.gov · checked Sep 13, 2026
- Special Enrollment Periods — Medicare.gov · checked Sep 13, 2026
- Upcoming plan changes (Annual Notice of Change) — Medicare.gov · checked Sep 13, 2026
- 2027 Rate Announcement — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · checked Sep 13, 2026
- Medicare Part D 2027 national average monthly bid amount — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · checked Sep 13, 2026
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program locator — SHIP National Technical Assistance Center · checked Sep 13, 2026
- Talk to someone — Medicare.gov · checked Sep 13, 2026