The annual Medicare open enrollment period runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2026. Changes you make during this window take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. If you do nothing, your current coverage generally continues, but your plan’s premiums, deductible, drug list and network can change, so a quick review is worth the time.
What you can do during open enrollment
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare.
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
- Join, switch or drop a Part D prescription drug plan.
What you cannot do
If you stay in Original Medicare, switching or adding a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy is not guaranteed in the same way; in most states, insurers can review your health history if you apply outside your first six months on Part B. Check the rules in your state before dropping a plan.
A second chance for Medicare Advantage members
People already in a Medicare Advantage plan get a separate window from Jan. 1 to March 31 each year. During that period they can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare (and add a Part D plan). They cannot use it to move from Original Medicare into Medicare Advantage.
Five checks before Dec. 7
- Read your Annual Notice of Change. Plans were required to send it by Sept. 30. It lists next year’s premiums, deductibles, copays and drug coverage changes.
- Check your medications. Confirm each drug is still on the plan’s formulary and which tier it falls in.
- Check your doctors and hospitals. Networks change. Call the provider’s office, not just the plan, to confirm.
- Compare total cost. Add the premium, deductible and expected copays. A low premium does not always mean a lower yearly bill.
- Use the official tool. Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder compares plans available at your ZIP code. Free, unbiased help is available through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
Your Part B premium is changing too
The standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026. The 2026 Medicare Trustees Report projects it will rise to $209.50 in 2027, though the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must still confirm the official amount. How that interacts with the new Social Security raise is explained in our guide to the 3.6% COLA and Medicare. If you are under 65 and buying coverage on the marketplace, see ACA open enrollment for 2027.
Beware of scams
Medicare does not call you uninvited to sell plans or ask for your Medicare number. Be wary of anyone who pressures you to switch quickly. Verify any offer at medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Sources
- Medicare.gov: joining, switching or dropping a plan (enrollment periods) and the Medicare Plan Finder
- CMS: 2026 Medicare Trustees Report (Part B premium projection); free counseling via your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
General information, not insurance advice. Check medicare.gov for your situation.
