How to Change Medicare Coverage for 2027
Medicare's annual enrollment and change period for 2027 coverage runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. Enter your medications and pharmacies in Medicare Plan Finder to compare plans, and check whether the plan you want is accepting applications.
Check your current coverage type and the notice about 2027 changes.
Have your Medicare card and lists of your medications, pharmacies, and healthcare providers ready.
Compare 2027 costs and coverage in your area with Medicare Plan Finder.
Apply to the plan you want to switch to from October 15 through December 7, 2026.
Keep a record of your submission and confirm that coverage starts on January 1, 2027.
Medicare enrollees can prepare for 2027 coverage changes. Use your card and medication list to compare plans in Medicare Plan Finder. The enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026.
The premium projections are based on a CMS announcement dated September 28, 2026.
Enrollment period and coverage start date
The annual enrollment period for choosing 2027 coverage is in fall 2026. Start comparing plans in early October. Changes submitted during the annual enrollment period take effect the following year.
Item | Date | What to do
View 2027 plan information | Starting October 1, 2026 | Compare coverage and costs in your area
Apply to enroll or make changes during annual enrollment | October 15 to December 7, 2026 | Apply for your chosen plan
New coverage starts | January 1, 2027 | Confirm that your new plan's coverage is in effect
The CMS 2027 state-by-state guide explains when plan information becomes available. The application deadline is based on when the plan receives your request, not when you mail it. Applications sent by mail must also arrive by December 7 in the U.S.
“the plan must get your enrollment request by December 7” Medicare, Open Enrollment
This means the plan must receive your enrollment request by December 7. You can confirm this in the Open Enrollment guide.
Changes available under your current coverage
Your options depend on your current coverage. First, check your insurance card and enrollment records to identify your coverage type. The table below shows options during the regular annual enrollment period.
Current coverage | Possible change | Conditions to check
Original Medicare | Switch to Medicare Advantage | Enrollment in Part A and Part B, and residence in the plan's service area
Original Medicare with separate Part D | Keep, change, or drop Part D | Coverage for your medications and whether you have other prescription drug insurance
Original Medicare without separate Part D | Enroll in Part D | Enrollment in Part A or Part B
Medicare Advantage | Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan | Whether prescription drugs are included and the rules for using health care providers
Medicare Advantage | Return to Original Medicare | Whether you can enroll in separate Part D coverage and Medigap
Original Medicare is basic coverage through Part A and Part B. Part A is hospital insurance, and Part B is medical insurance. With Medicare Advantage, you receive basic coverage through a private plan. Part D is prescription drug coverage.
You must live in the new plan's service area. If a plan has special enrollment requirements, check those too. Initial enrollment in Part A and Part B is a separate process from changing plans in the fall.
Comparing plans and applying through Medicare Plan Finder
Accurate medication and pharmacy information makes cost comparisons useful. Check estimated annual drug costs as well as monthly premiums. You can prepare and apply in this order.
· Read your current plan's notice of changes. The Annual Notice of Change, or ANOC, describes changes for the following year. Mark the 2027 premium and coverage changes. If you did not receive it, request it from your current plan.
· Gather the information you need to compare plans and apply. Check your Medicare card for your enrollment number and coverage start date. List the names, dosages, quantities, and refill schedules of your medications. Prepare a list of the pharmacies and health care providers you use.
· Compare 2027 plans in your area. Check the ZIP code and coverage year in Medicare Plan Finder. Enter your medications and pharmacies, then compare costs by plan. Also check whether your health care providers participate in each plan.
· Apply to your chosen plan during the enrollment period. You can select Enroll for that plan on the comparison screen. For enrollment by phone, contact 1-800-MEDICARE. The phone number is 1-800-633-4227.
· Check your application record and coverage start date. Save the application confirmation screen or confirmation number. Check that your enrollment confirmation names the plan you chose. Changes made during annual enrollment start on January 1, 2027.
The role of the ANOC is explained in the Medicare notice of changes guide. You can find online and phone enrollment methods in Joining a plan.
What to check on the comparison screen
Estimated costs for the same medication vary by plan and pharmacy. Compare plans using the same pharmacy. Review medical service costs separately from drug costs.
Item to check | What to look for
Monthly premium | The monthly payment for the selected 2027 plan
Deductible | The amount you pay before insurance starts paying
Copayment and Coinsurance | Fixed amounts or percentages you pay for care or prescriptions
Prescription drug coverage | Whether medications are covered at the listed names and dosages
Costs by pharmacy | Estimated drug costs at the pharmacy you will use
Estimated annual costs | Which premiums and drug costs are included
Rules for using health care providers | Whether your primary care doctor, specialists, and hospitals participate in the plan
Out-of-pocket limit for medical costs | The coverage and limit under Medicare Advantage
If you imported a medication list, compare it with the medications you currently take. A medication prescribed once in the past may still be on the list. This is a step to clean up your entries, not advice to stop or change a medication. See the CMS guide to adding drugs and pharmacies for instructions.
Comparing national average premiums with your actual costs
CMS national averages are not the premiums you will be billed. Actual amounts vary by where you live and the plan you choose. The following figures are CMS projections for 2027.
Measure | 2026 monthly average | Projected 2027 monthly average
Overall weighted average Medicare Advantage premium | 14.37 U.S. dollars | 12.00 U.S. dollars
Average total premium for stand-alone Part D | 35.09 U.S. dollars | 36.00 U.S. dollars
Part D premium portion of Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage | 11.32 U.S. dollars | 7.00 U.S. dollars
The last row reflects Medicare Advantage rebates. The three rows measure different groups and use different calculations. Do not add them together to estimate your personal monthly premium. The figures come from the CMS announcement of 2027 premium projections.
Applying the figures to your personal budget
Use the actual quote for your chosen plan in your personal budget. Even if you enroll in Medicare Advantage, the Part B premium is a separate item. You may also have out-of-pocket costs when you receive care or fill prescriptions. Check the Medicare costs guide for the cost structure.
Budget item | Information to use
Plan premium | The chosen plan's 2027 premium
Part B premium | The official premium notice that applies to you
Prescription drug costs | Estimated costs using your medications and pharmacy
Medical care costs | The plan's out-of-pocket costs for each type of care
Separate supplemental insurance costs | An individual quote for Medigap or other coverage you plan to buy
Do not add premiums again if they are already included in an annual estimate. Do not treat estimated prescription drug costs as your total medical costs. Your actual spending will also change if the care and prescriptions you need change.
Employer and retiree insurance and family coverage
If you have employer or retiree insurance, check your family's coverage before making changes. Enrolling in separate Medicare drug coverage may affect your existing insurance. In some cases, coverage for a spouse or dependents may end too.
· Ask your insurance benefits administrator how changes would affect coverage. Tell them you are considering separate Part D or Medicare Advantage enrollment.
· Check whether each family member's coverage will continue. Check coverage for your spouse and dependents as well as yourself.
· Keep the notice about whether your prescription drug coverage qualifies. Check whether your existing insurance is creditable coverage. This means prescription drug coverage that meets Medicare's standards.
If you have creditable prescription drug coverage, you may not need to enroll in Part D as well. A gap in coverage can lead to a late enrollment penalty later. Discount cards do not replace prescription drug insurance. See the guide to existing prescription drug coverage for details.
Returning to Original Medicare and Medigap rules
Returning to Original Medicare does not guarantee that you can enroll in Medigap. Medigap is private insurance that supplements the out-of-pocket costs of basic coverage. The fall annual enrollment period is different from the protected Medigap enrollment period.
Item | Applicable rule
Initial Medigap enrollment protection period under federal rules | 6 months starting with the month Part B begins, if you are at least 65
After the protected period | Health-based review, denial of enrollment, or different premiums may apply
Separate protected enrollment rights | May apply in certain situations or under state law
Before deciding to return, check whether you can enroll in Medigap. You can also check with your state insurance authority for additional protected rights. Consider whether you need separate Part D coverage as well. The rules are explained in the guide to preparing to buy Medigap.
Common mistakes about enrollment periods
The fall change period and the change period early in the year apply to different people. Do not assume the same options will remain available if you miss the December deadline. Check which period applies to you.
Common confusion | Correct distinction
Apply in fall 2027 because the coverage is for 2027 | Choose coverage for January 2027 in fall 2026
Changes can be requested starting October 1 | Plan information becomes available October 1; annual enrollment starts October 15
All enrollees can freely make changes early in the year | The early-year Medicare Advantage change period is for people already enrolled in Medicare Advantage
Reapply every year to keep the same plan | Reapplication is generally unnecessary if your current coverage continues
Keeping a plan means its coverage stays the same | Premiums, drug coverage, and rules for using services may change the following year
January 1 to March 31, 2027, is a separate change period. People already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can use it. They can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare. Changes generally take effect on the first day of the month after the request is received.
A move or loss of existing coverage, among other circumstances, may create a special enrollment period. Eligibility and deadlines vary by reason. Check your situation in the special enrollment periods guide.
OnBinder
