Medicare open enrollment is under way and runs until December 7, 2026. It is your yearly chance to change your Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan for 2027, and any change takes effect on January 1.
Average Medicare Advantage premiums are projected to fall to $12 a month, but plan-level changes vary, and Part D drug deductibles rise to $700 while the out-of-pocket cap goes up to $2,400. Here are the key dates, what changes in 2027, a checklist for comparing plans and how to get free help while avoiding scams.
Date | What happens |
|---|---|
September | Plans send their Annual Notice of Change letter, which lists what is changing in 2027 |
October 15 | Open enrollment begins |
Early to mid-November | CMS is expected to confirm the 2027 Part B premium and deductible |
December 7 | Open enrollment ends |
January 1, 2027 | New coverage starts |
January 1 to March 31, 2027 | Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan |
During open enrollment you can switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage or the other way round, change Medicare Advantage plans, and join, switch or drop a Part D drug plan. Only your last choice before December 7 counts, and if you join a new plan you generally have to wait until the next open enrollment to change again, apart from special situations.
What changes in 2027
Measure | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
Average Medicare Advantage premium (CMS weighted average) | $14.37 a month | $12.00 a month |
Drug portion of the premium in Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage | $11.32 | $7.00 |
Average stand-alone Part D premium | $35.09 | $36 |
National base Part D premium | $38.99 | $41.33 |
Maximum Part D deductible | $615 | $700 |
Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 | $2,400 |
Standard Part B premium (projected, official in November) | $202.90 | $209.50 |
CMS expects about 34 million people, or 47.4% of those eligible, to be in Medicare Advantage in 2027. It says more than 99% of people with Medicare can choose at least one Medicare Advantage plan, and 97% have 10 or more. There are 5,522 Medicare Advantage offerings, down slightly from 5,553.
Read the headline carefully. The 16.5% fall in Medicare Advantage premiums is a national weighted average that includes special needs plans, and analysts say many plans will have flat or higher premiums, fewer $0-premium options or higher out-of-pocket costs. For example, the average premium in Wyoming rises from $45.91 to $69.23 a month. Stand-alone Part D premiums edge up as a temporary stabilization program ends.
- Read your Annual Notice of Change. It lists changes to premiums, deductibles, copays, drug coverage and networks for 2027, and says if your plan is ending.
- Check your drugs. On Medicare.gov, enter every prescription and dosage into Plan Finder and check whether each is covered, what tier it is on and any restrictions.
- Check your pharmacy. Some plans give lower costs at preferred pharmacies.
- Check your doctors and hospitals. In a Medicare Advantage plan, confirm they are in the network.
- Compare total yearly cost, not just the premium: premium, deductible, copays and coinsurance, and the yearly out-of-pocket limit.
- Check the Part D changes. A $700 deductible could raise early-year costs, while the $2,400 cap limits yearly spending on covered drugs.
- Look at extras such as dental, vision and hearing benefits, but weigh them against the costs.
- Consider Medigap if you have Original Medicare. Rules and your rights to buy one vary by state.
- Confirm you picked the right plan before December 7, and keep a record of the confirmation.
Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) | Medicare Advantage (Part C) | |
|---|---|---|
Who runs it | The federal government | Private insurers approved by Medicare |
Choice of doctors | Any provider that accepts Medicare | Usually a network of doctors and hospitals |
Drug coverage | Add a separate Part D plan | Often included (MA-PD) |
Yearly spending limit | None by itself, so many people add Medigap | Yes, an annual out-of-pocket maximum (the 2026 in-network limit was $9,250) |
Extras | Dental, vision and hearing generally not covered | Often included to some degree |
Premiums | Part B premium, plus Part D and Medigap if you add them | You still pay the Part B premium, and many plans have a $0 plan premium |
Neither is better for everyone. Original Medicare gives broader choice of providers, while Medicare Advantage can lower upfront costs but limits your network and may require prior approval for some care.
Free help and scam warnings
Free, unbiased help
- SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program). Free and impartial counselling in every state. SHIP does not sell insurance. Find yours at shiphelp.org.
- Medicare.gov Plan Finder. Compare plans in your ZIP code using your own drugs and pharmacies.
- 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). For questions about your coverage and enrollment; TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
Scams to avoid
Scammers target people with Medicare during open enrollment, so be careful with unexpected calls and messages.
- Never give your Medicare number, Social Security number or bank details to someone who contacts you unprompted.
- Hang up on anyone who says you must act immediately or lose your coverage.
- Plans cannot send gifts worth more than $15 to encourage you to enrol.
- Report suspected fraud to your Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) or to 1-800-MEDICARE.
Medicare open enrollment 2027 FAQ
When is Medicare open enrollment for 2027? October 15 to December 7, 2026. Changes take effect on January 1, 2027.
What can I change during open enrollment? You can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Medicare Advantage plans, and join, switch or drop a Part D drug plan.
Do I have to do anything if I'm happy with my plan? Your plan usually continues, but plans change each year, so read your Annual Notice of Change and check your drugs, doctors and costs.
Are Medicare Advantage premiums going down in 2027? CMS projects the weighted average to fall from $14.37 to $12.00 a month, but changes vary by plan and area.
What is the Part D out-of-pocket cap in 2027? $2,400, up from $2,100 in 2026. The maximum standard deductible rises to $700 from $615.
What will the Part B premium be in 2027? It is projected at $209.50 a month, up from $202.90, with the official figure expected in November.
Can I change plans after December 7? If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch plans or return to Original Medicare between January 1 and March 31. Otherwise you generally need a special enrollment situation.
Where can I get free help? Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), use Medicare.gov Plan Finder or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Sources
Reporting based on CMS announcements and news coverage as of October 20, 2026. This is general information, not personal advice.
- CMS: 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D landscape fact sheets
- Healthcare Finance News: CMS touts lower Medicare Advantage premiums
- AJMC: CMS projects 16.5% drop in 2027 Medicare Advantage premiums
- Medicare Rights Center: new insights on 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D
- Fierce Healthcare: CMS projects Medicare Advantage premiums to decline 16%
- Becker's Payer Issues: CMS projects lower Medicare Advantage premiums
- Rise Health: plan-level changes vary
- SmartMatch: 2027 Medicare Advantage plans, costs and changes
- Kimbrough Law: 2027 Medicare Part D changes
- Kiplinger: 2027 Medicare costs and premium projections
- SHIP National Technical Assistance Center: open enrollment guide
- Iowa Insurance Division: Medicare fraud and open enrollment