Medicare Annual Enrollment 2027: Dates and What You Can Change
Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period — also called Open Enrollment — runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. It’s your yearly chance to review your Medicare health and drug coverage and make changes for 2027.
Key dates for 2027 coverage
- By September 30, 2026
Your plan’s Annual Notice of Change arrives
If you have a Medicare Advantage or Medicare drug plan, it lists the changes coming in January. - October 15 – December 7, 2026
Annual Enrollment Period
Join, switch, or drop coverage for 2027. - January 1, 2027
New coverage starts
If you kept your plan, any changes to its costs or benefits start too. - January 1 – March 31, 2027
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
Only for people already in a Medicare Advantage Plan. One change allowed.
What you can change during Annual Enrollment
Between October 15 and December 7, 2026, you can:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan, or from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.
- Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan, with or without drug coverage (or add or drop drug coverage).
- Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare drug plan (Part D) if you have Original Medicare.
Your new coverage starts January 1, 2027, as long as the plan gets your request by December 7. You don’t have to make a change: if you keep your current coverage, any changes to its costs or benefits also start January 1.
What about Medicare Supplement (Medigap)?
The choices above are for Medicare Advantage and Medicare drug plans. Buying a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy follows its own rules and timing — see our Turning 65 checklist for how Medigap enrollment works.
Why review your coverage every year
Medicare plans can change from one year to the next — and so can your health and your prescriptions. Each fall, Medicare Advantage and Medicare drug plans send members an Annual Notice of Change. It lists changes in coverage, costs, provider networks, service area, and more that take effect in January, and Medicare says your plan will send it by September 30. If yours didn’t arrive, contact your plan.
Read your Annual Notice of Change
- Are your doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies still in the plan’s network?
- Are your prescriptions still on the plan’s drug list (formulary), and at what cost?
- Did the premium, deductible, or copays change?
- Does the plan still serve the area where you live?
Think about the year ahead
- New diagnoses, procedures, or specialists you expect to need
- New or changed prescriptions
- Plans to move or spend time in another area
- Changes in other coverage, like a retiree plan or Medicaid
You can compare plans yourself at Medicare.gov/plan-compare or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048), or review options with a licensed agent.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31
If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage), you get one more chance to change between January 1 and March 31, 2027. During this period you can:
- Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan, with or without drug coverage.
- Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare. You can also join a separate Medicare drug plan.
You can make only one change during this period, and it takes effect the first of the month after the plan gets your request. This period isn’t for people in Original Medicare: it can’t be used to switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan, to join a Medicare drug plan, or to switch from one Medicare drug plan to another.
New to Medicare? If you joined a Medicare Advantage Plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can also change plans or switch to Original Medicare within the first 3 months you have Medicare.
Special Enrollment Periods
Outside these windows, certain life events can open a Special Enrollment Period that lets you join, switch, or drop a plan. Common examples include:
- Moving out of your plan’s service area
- Losing other coverage, such as coverage from an employer or union
- Getting or losing Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California), or qualifying for Extra Help with drug costs
- Moving into or out of a nursing home or other institution
- Wanting to join a plan in your area with a 5-star rating
Each Special Enrollment Period has its own rules and time limits. A licensed agent, your plan, or Medicare.gov can tell you whether you qualify.
How Boomers can help
A plan review
A licensed agent reviews your current coverage and the plans we represent in your area — at no cost to you.
Educational events
Learn about Medicare at a free event led by licensed agents, in person or online.
Help in person
Prefer to talk face to face? Visit one of our Medicare help centers.
Annual Enrollment questions
When is Medicare Annual Enrollment for 2027 coverage?
From October 15 to December 7, 2026. Changes you make start January 1, 2027, as long as the plan gets your request by December 7.
Do I have to do anything if I’m happy with my current plan?
No, you don’t have to make a change. If you keep your coverage and your plan’s costs or benefits change, those changes start January 1. Read your Annual Notice of Change to make sure the plan will still meet your needs next year.
What is the Annual Notice of Change?
It’s a notice your Medicare Advantage or drug plan sends each fall. It lists changes in coverage, costs, provider networks, service area, and more that take effect in January. Medicare says your plan will send it by September 30. If you didn’t get it, contact your plan.
Can I change my plan after December 7?
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can make one change between January 1 and March 31: switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan, or go back to Original Medicare and join a separate drug plan. Otherwise, you generally need to qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, such as after a move or losing other coverage.
Does it cost anything to talk with a Boomers agent?
No. A review with a licensed Boomers agent is at no cost to you, and there is no obligation to enroll.
Talk with a licensed Boomers agent
A licensed agent can go over the Medicare plans we represent in your area, check them against your doctors and prescriptions, and answer your questions. There is no cost to you and no obligation to enroll.
Request a plan review
Call 1-800-815-1943 (TTY 711)
Find a Medicare event
Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM PT
Sources
Dates and rules on this page come from these official Medicare sources.
Talk with a licensed Boomers agent
A licensed agent can go over the Medicare plans we represent in your area, check them against your doctors and prescriptions, and answer your questions. There is no cost to you and no obligation to enroll.
Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM PT
