Medicare 2026: How to Change Your Coverage
For current Medicare enrollees, the window to change 2027 coverage runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. Check the options available based on your current coverage type, official enrollment procedures, and details about prescription drugs and healthcare providers.
Check your current coverage type and the eligibility requirements for the plan you want to switch to.
Prepare your Medicare card, a list of your medications, and information about the healthcare facilities and pharmacies you use.
Compare the terms for 2027 using your Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage.
Apply by clicking Enroll for your chosen plan in the official Medicare Plan Finder.
Confirm that your application was received by December 7, 2026 (U.S.), and check your coverage start date.
Current Medicare enrollees can apply to change plans by December 7, 2026. Have your Medicare card and medication list ready. Apply through the official Plan Finder, and coverage starts on January 1, 2027.
This schedule is based on CMS's September 28, 2026 announcement and Medicare enrollment guidance.
How to Apply for a Change on the Official Website
Select a plan in Medicare Plan Finder, then complete the enrollment application. Viewing comparison results alone does not submit an application. If using the website is difficult, you can get enrollment help by phone.
· Check your current coverage. Determine whether you have Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. Also check whether prescription drug coverage is included.
· Prepare the information needed to apply and compare plans. You will need the Medicare number on your card. Also check the Part A and Part B coverage start dates shown on the card.
· Enter your residential ZIP code in Plan Finder. Make sure the coverage year you are comparing is 2027. Compare costs based on your medications and the pharmacies you use.
· Click Enroll, the enrollment button for your chosen plan. Follow the instructions to submit your application. If you have employer or union insurance, first check the family coverage section below.
· Save the application confirmation screen or confirmation number. If you are unsure whether your application was received, contact the plan or Medicare. Also check the coverage start date in your enrollment confirmation.
The official starting point is Find health & drug plans on Medicare.gov. The phone number is 1-800-MEDICARE, or 1-800-633-4227. The TTY number for people with hearing or speech disabilities is 1-877-486-2048.
You can find application instructions in Medicare's Joining a plan guidance.
Who Can Make Changes and What to Prepare
This annual enrollment period is for current Medicare enrollees to choose their coverage. It is separate from ACA Marketplace insurance enrollment. It is also distinct from the initial enrollment periods for Part A and Part B themselves.
Original Medicare consists of Part A and Part B. Medicare Advantage provides coverage through private plans. Part D is prescription drug coverage.
Coverage you want to choose | Basic requirements to check
Medicare Advantage | Enrollment in both Part A and Part B, residence in the plan's service area
Stand-alone Part D plan | Enrollment in Part A or Part B, residence in the plan's service area
Plans for specific groups | Check any additional eligibility requirements set by the plan
The table summarizes basic coverage requirements. Individual enrollment requirements, such as citizenship and residency status, also apply. If your eligibility is unclear, check with Medicare or Social Security.
Information to prepare | Where it is used
Medicare number and coverage start dates | Enrollment application
Residential ZIP code | Searching for local plans available to you
Current plan name and enrollment information | Comparing existing and new coverage
Medication names, strengths, and quantities used | Checking prescription drug coverage and estimated costs
Doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies you use | Checking networks and conditions for use
Notice of changes for the following year and coverage document | Reviewing 2027 coverage
Available Changes Based on Your Current Coverage
What you can change depends on your current coverage. During the annual enrollment period, you can switch how you receive coverage. You can also choose to change only your prescription drug plan.
Current coverage | Options during the 2026 annual enrollment period | What else to check
Original Medicare | Switch to Medicare Advantage | Part A and Part B enrollment status and provider network
Original Medicare with a stand-alone Part D plan | Change or drop Part D | Next year's drug coverage and any coverage gaps
Original Medicare without a stand-alone Part D plan | Enroll in Part D | Possible overlap with or loss of other existing prescription drug insurance
Medicare Advantage | Switch to another Advantage plan | Whether prescription drugs are included and the provider and pharmacy networks
Medicare Advantage | Return to Original Medicare | Whether a stand-alone Part D plan is needed and whether you can enroll in Medigap
When changing drug coverage under Advantage, check the plan's rules for combining coverage. Do not assume you can freely add a stand-alone Part D plan to your existing Advantage plan. Before applying, ask whether your chosen coverage combination is allowed.
The available changes are listed in Medicare's Open Enrollment guidance.
Application Deadline and Coverage Start Date
The 2026 annual enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7. Changes made during this period take effect on January 1, 2027. Because you are applying in fall 2026, be careful not to confuse the coverage year.
Medicare's Open Enrollment guidance includes the following statement.
the plan must get your enrollment request by December 7
This means the plan must receive your enrollment request by December 7. Mailed applications must also arrive by the deadline. Mailing an application or scheduling a consultation alone does not mean your request has been received.
Item | Date that applies to this enrollment period
Annual enrollment begins | October 15, 2026
Deadline for receipt of enrollment requests | December 7, 2026
Changed coverage begins | January 1, 2027
The deadline follows the U.S. Medicare enrollment schedule. Do not judge when to submit based only on the date in Korea. Check the deadline-day submission hours with the channel you are using.
The schedule for this year is stated in CMS's September 28, 2026 announcement.
Comparing the Notice of Changes and Coverage Document
Review the annual notice of changes and the coverage document together. Even if the premium stays the same, drug coverage or participating providers may change. Compare the terms for 2027, not the current terms.
Annual Notice of Change is the yearly notice of changes. Its abbreviation is ANOC, and it describes what will change the following year. Evidence of Coverage is the document explaining your coverage. Its abbreviation is EOC, and it explains detailed terms, including coverage and costs.
Item to check | What to check | Documents or contacts to use
Premium | Next year's monthly premium | ANOC, EOC, Plan Finder
Out-of-pocket costs | Deductibles you pay first and cost sharing for medical services and drugs | EOC, plan cost information
Prescription drugs | Whether your medications are covered and their cost tiers | The drug list, called a formulary, and EOC
Conditions for drug coverage | Applicable conditions, such as prior authorization | Plan drug coverage information
Doctors and hospitals | Whether they are in next year's network | Plan provider directory, the plan, and providers
Pharmacies | Network participation and costs at each pharmacy | Pharmacy directory, Plan Finder
Plan continuation | Whether your current plan will be offered next year | Plan notices
You usually receive the ANOC in September. If you have not received it, request it from your current plan. Also check the separate directories for complete lists of providers and pharmacies.
If your current plan will be offered next year, you generally do not need to enroll again. However, the changed terms must still meet your ongoing needs. If you receive a notice that your plan is ending, do not assume it will continue.
These review principles are explained in CMS's Medicare Open Enrollment guidance.
Returning to Original Medicare and Medigap Requirements
When returning to Original Medicare, check drug coverage and supplemental insurance separately. You may need to enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan. Medigap is private insurance that helps cover out-of-pocket costs under Original Medicare.
The fall annual enrollment period does not automatically guarantee Medigap enrollment. Under federal rules, the initial Medigap enrollment period lasts 6 months. It begins on the first day of the month in which you are at least 65 years old and enrolled in Part B.
After that period, your enrollment options may be limited. Premiums may also be higher. Check whether you have guaranteed issue rights or additional protections under state rules.
Item to check | What to check before switching
Stand-alone Part D | Coverage for needed medications and enrollment start date
Medigap | Whether you can enroll, applicable rights, and premiums
State protections | Confirm with the state insurance department or through SHIP counseling
Also watch for periods without drug coverage. You may have a gap of at least 63 consecutive days without other creditable drug coverage. In that case, you may face a late enrollment penalty when you enroll in Part D later.
Check your individual enrollment options in Medicare's guidance on when to buy Medigap.
Checking Employer Insurance and Family Coverage
If you have employer or union insurance, check with your benefits administrator before applying for Part D. Medicare warns that enrolling could cause you to lose all of your existing health insurance. Coverage for your spouse and dependents, as well as your own, may be affected.
Ask whether your current prescription drug insurance is creditable coverage. This means prescription drug coverage that meets Medicare's standards. If you keep that coverage, you generally do not need to add Part D.
· Ask your employer or union benefits administrator whether your existing coverage is creditable.
· Check how enrolling in Part D would affect your family's medical and drug coverage.
· Keep proof that you had previous drug coverage.
· If your new plan sends you a form to confirm past coverage, respond by the deadline.
Medicare warns that failing to return the form could result in a penalty. Check mail that arrives after enrollment as well. The relevant rules are listed in Medicare's guidance on creditable prescription drug coverage.
Changes Available If You Miss the Deadline
After December 7, you must check the requirements for other enrollment periods. January through March is not an additional change period open to all enrollees. Moving or losing other coverage may qualify you for special enrollment.
Period | Who qualifies and what changes are allowed | When changes take effect
October 15 through December 7, 2026 | Advantage and Part D choices and switches between coverage types for those eligible for annual enrollment | January 1, 2027
January 1 through March 31, 2027 | Current Advantage enrollees may switch to another Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare | The first day of the month after the plan receives the request
Special Enrollment Period | Enrollees with a qualifying reason, such as moving or losing coverage | Varies by reason
Advantage changes from January through March are allowed once during that period. If you return to Original Medicare, you can also enroll in Part D. This period cannot be used to switch from Original Medicare to Advantage.
It also cannot be used by Original Medicare enrollees to change only their Part D plan. During a Special Enrollment Period, the available changes and deadlines vary by reason. If you receive a notice that your plan is ending, also check the separate rights described in the notice.
The restrictions for each period are summarized in Medicare's enrollment periods guide.
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