Medicare Annual Enrollment Period 2027

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, often called AEP, runs every year from October 15 to December 7. It is your yearly chance to review your Medicare coverage and make changes for the year ahead. During this time, you can switch between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan or move from one Medicare Advantage plan to another. Any changes you make take effect on January 1.

Not necessarily. If you are happy with your current plan and it still fits your needs, you can usually keep it and your coverage will continue. The important part is checking first. Plans can change their premiums, deductibles, copays, drug lists, and provider networks from one year to the next, so a plan that worked well this year may not be the best fit for 2027. Our Medicare solutions section explains how Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage plans differ.

Start with the Annual Notice of Change your plan sends each fall. It spells out what is different for next year. Then ask a few simple questions. Are your doctors and pharmacy still in the network? Are your prescriptions still covered, and at what cost? Have your premiums, deductibles, or out-of-pocket costs gone up? Do the benefits still match your health needs? Our Medicare and You 2027 resource offers a plain-English look at the year ahead.

If you miss it, you may have to wait until next year to make changes, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period because of a life event such as moving or losing other coverage. If you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you also have a Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31. It lets you switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare. Because your options after December 7 are more limited, it is best to review your coverage early. Contact our team with any questions.

A few items make your review quick and easy: your Medicare card, your current plan's insurance card, a list of your prescriptions and dosages, the names of your doctors and preferred pharmacies, and your Annual Notice of Change if you have received it. Do not worry if you cannot find everything. Our team will help you gather what you need. You can also meet our team ahead of time to see who you will be talking with.