Medicare Open Enrollment 2027 Key Dates, Changes and How to Compare Plans (Updated October 2026)

Last updated: October 21, 2026. Figures and screenshots come from Medicare.gov, CMS.gov, SSA and the SHIP program.

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Key takeaways

• Medicare open enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026. Changes take effect on January 1, 2027.
• The Part D out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400 in 2027 (from $2,100), and the standard deductible rises to $700 (from $615).
• The 2027 Part B premium is not official yet. The Trustees Report estimates $209.50, up from $202.90 in 2026.
• If you like your plan, you do not have to do anything, but plans change every year. Read your Annual Notice of Change.

Every fall, people with Medicare get seven weeks to review their health and drug coverage. This guide explains the dates, what is changing for 2027, and how to compare plans step by step. Screenshots below come straight from official government pages, with the source listed under each one.

Source: Medicare.gov, “Open Enrollment” (https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/open-enrollment). Screenshot captured October 21, 2026.

1. Key Dates to Mark

Date	What happens
October 15, 2026	Open enrollment begins
December 7, 2026	Last day to join, switch or drop a plan. The plan must get your request by this date.
January 1, 2027	Your new coverage starts
January 1 to March 31, 2027	Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan

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2. What You Can Do During Open Enrollment

• Change your Medicare Advantage plan: join, drop or switch, with or without drug coverage.
• Change your drug plan: join, drop or switch a stand-alone Part D plan if you have Original Medicare.
• Change how you get coverage: move from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or the other way around.

Source: Medicare.gov, “Open Enrollment” (https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/open-enrollment). Screenshot captured October 21, 2026.

If you go back to Original Medicare, you may need a separate drug plan and may want to add Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap). There are limits on when you can buy Medigap, so check the rules before you drop a plan.

3. What Is Changing for 2027

Item	2026	2027
Part D out-of-pocket cap	$2,100	$2,400
Part D maximum deductible	$615	$700
Part B standard premium (monthly)	$202.90	$209.50 (estimate, not official)
Part B deductible	$283	about $292 (estimate)
Social Security COLA	2.8%	3.6%

The Part D cap and deductible are final. The Part B numbers come from the 2026 Medicare Trustees Report. CMS had not announced the official 2027 Part B premium when this guide was updated, and it usually does so in late October or November. Also, the temporary federal Part D premium subsidy ends after 2026, so some drug plan premiums may rise (AP, October 15, 2026).

Source: Medicare.gov, “Costs” (https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs). 2026 amounts, screenshot captured October 21, 2026.

4. Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage

This is the biggest choice for most people. Medicare lists the main differences on its comparison page.

Source: Medicare.gov, “Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage” (https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/your-coverage-options/compare-original-medicare-medicare-advantage). Screenshot captured October 21, 2026.

Topic	Original Medicare	Medicare Advantage
Doctors and hospitals	Any provider that takes Medicare, anywhere in the U.S.	You may need to use the plan’s network and service area for non-emergency care
Yearly out-of-pocket limit	No yearly limit, unless you have supplemental coverage	Plans have a yearly limit on covered services
Medigap	You can choose to buy it	You can’t buy it to cover out-of-pocket costs
Extra benefits	Doesn’t cover most routine vision, hearing or dental care	Plans may offer extra benefits like some vision, hearing and dental
Prior approval	Usually not needed for most services	You may need approval for certain services

Source: Medicare.gov comparison page, checked October 21, 2026.

Source: Medicare.gov, “Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage” (same page, lower section). Screenshot captured October 21, 2026.

5. A 6-Step Checklist for Comparing Plans

1. Read your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and Evidence of Coverage (EOC). CMS says people in a plan should always review these. If your plan is not changing in ways that matter and it is still offered, you do not need to do anything.
2. List every prescription with dose and your pharmacy.
3. Open Medicare Plan Finder and compare 2027 plans in your ZIP code. Logging in saves your drugs and pharmacies.
4. Check your doctors and hospitals against each plan’s network.
5. Compare total yearly cost: premium plus deductible plus copays, not just the monthly premium.
6. Enroll before December 7, and keep a confirmation number.

Source: CMS.gov, “Medicare Open Enrollment” (https://www.cms.gov/priorities/key-initiatives/medicare-open-enrollment-partner-resources). Screenshot captured October 21, 2026.

Source: Medicare.gov, Medicare Plan Finder (https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/). Screenshot captured October 21, 2026.

Helpful for this topic: A simple weekly pill organizer and a document folder make it easier to keep your drug list and plan papers in one place.

6. Ways to Lower Your Costs

Medicare Savings Programs

Your state can help pay your Part A and Part B premiums through a Medicare Savings Program. If you qualify, it may also pay deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. You apply through your state, and Medicare says to apply even if you are not sure you qualify, because some states count less income or fewer resources than the federal limits.

Source: Medicare.gov, “Medicare Savings Programs” (https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/medicare-savings-programs). Screenshot captured October 21, 2026.

Source: Medicare.gov, “Medicare Savings Programs”. The table shows 2026 limits for QMB: $1,350 monthly income and $9,950 resources for an individual, $1,824 and $14,910 for a married couple. Limits go up each year and are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. Screenshot captured October 21, 2026.

Extra Help with drug costs

Extra Help is a Medicare program that helps people with limited income and resources pay Part D premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and other costs. You also will not pay a Part D late enrollment penalty while you get Extra Help. Some people qualify automatically, and others have to apply.

Source: Medicare.gov, “Help with drug costs” (https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/drug-costs). Screenshot captured October 21, 2026.

Free one-on-one counseling (SHIP)

Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) that offers free, unbiased counseling. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Source: SHIP National Technical Assistance Center, shiphelp.org (https://www.shiphelp.org/). Screenshot captured October 21, 2026.

Source: CMS.gov, “Medicare Open Enrollment” (https://www.cms.gov/priorities/key-initiatives/medicare-open-enrollment-partner-resources). Screenshot captured October 21, 2026.

Keep your health numbers handy: Some readers like to track daily readings and appointments at home. A large-display home monitor and a simple appointment planner are common choices.
See home blood pressure monitors on Amazon →
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Optional; these are general products, not medical advice.

Stay on top of deadlines: a wall calendar or planner helps you mark December 7 and other Medicare dates.
See large print 2027 calendars on Amazon →
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7. Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to do anything if I like my plan?

No. Your coverage continues automatically if your plan is still offered. Still, plans change costs, drug lists and networks every year, so reviewing your notice is smart.

Can I change plans after December 7?

Usually not, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. People in a Medicare Advantage plan also have a separate window from January 1 to March 31.

When will the official 2027 Part B premium be announced?

CMS had not announced it when this guide was updated. The Trustees Report estimates $209.50 a month, and the official number typically comes in late October or November.

Where can I get free help choosing a plan?

Call 1-800-MEDICARE, use Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, or contact your state SHIP for free counseling.

Is this personal advice?

No. This guide is general information. Confirm details at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE before you decide.

Related Guides

• Medicare Part D 2027 Out-of-Pocket Cap and How to Save on Drugs (Updated October 2026)
• Health Insurance Marketplace Enrollment Dates to Know From HealthCare.gov
• Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare and How to Compare Them

Sources

• Medicare.gov: Open Enrollment
• Medicare.gov: Medicare Plan Finder
• Medicare.gov: Medicare costs
• Medicare.gov: Medicare Savings Programs
• Medicare.gov: Help with drug costs
• CMS.gov: Medicare Open Enrollment
• CMS: 2026 Medicare Trustees Report (2027 Part B estimates)
• SHIP National Technical Assistance Center
• Associated Press, “A new Medicare season begins, but some shifts will arrive in 2027,” October 15, 2026

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This site is not affiliated with Medicare, CMS or any government agency.