Medicare Annual Enrollment 2027: Your Step-by-Step Checklist for Oct 15 – Dec 7

When is Medicare Annual Enrollment for 2027 coverage?

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. Any change you make during that window starts on January 1, 2027. If you’re happy with your plan and it isn’t changing in ways that affect you, you don’t have to do anything, because your coverage usually renews on its own.

That “do nothing” option is exactly why this season deserves a little of your attention. Plans can change their premiums, copays, drug lists and provider networks every single year. A plan that fit you well in 2026 may fit quite differently in 2027, even if you never called the plan, changed a doctor or touched a single piece of paperwork.

The good news is that a careful review doesn’t have to take long or feel overwhelming. Set aside an hour or two, gather your paperwork in one place and work through the steps below in order. If you’d like a second set of eyes on any of it, you’re welcome to bring everything to a no-cost review with Kris at the Perrysburg office.

• Oct 15, 2026: Annual Enrollment opens.
• Dec 7, 2026: Last day to make changes for Jan 1.
• Jan 1, 2027: New coverage begins.
• Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2027: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment for people already in an MA plan.

Step 1: What should you look for in your Annual Notice of Change?

Your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) is a letter from your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan explaining what will be different next year. Read it first. It tells you whether your premium, deductible, copays, drug list or provider network will change on January 1, 2027, so you know what to compare.

Plans mail the ANOC in the early fall, before Annual Enrollment opens. If you can’t find yours, call the member services number on the back of your plan ID card and ask for a copy, or log in to your plan’s website to download it. Keep it in a folder with your other Medicare papers so it’s handy when you compare.

As you read, keep a pen nearby. Circle anything that affects you personally, such as a higher specialist copay if you see a cardiologist often, a medication moving to a higher tier, or a hospital leaving the network. Those circled items become your list of questions when you sit down to compare 2027 plans side by side.

• Monthly plan premium for 2027
• Medical and drug deductibles
• Copays for doctor visits, specialists and hospital stays
• Changes to the drug list (formulary) or drug tiers
• Providers or pharmacies leaving the network
• Changes to extra benefits such as dental, vision or hearing

Step 2: Are your doctors and hospitals still in network for 2027?

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, confirm that each of your doctors, specialists and preferred hospitals will be in your plan’s network for 2027. Networks can change from year to year, and seeing an out-of-network provider may cost you more or may not be covered at all, depending on the plan.

Make a simple list on one sheet of paper: your primary care doctor, every specialist you’ve seen in the past year, the hospital you’d want to go to, and any clinics, labs or therapists you use. Then check each name in the plan’s provider directory. When in doubt, call the doctor’s office and ask which 2027 plans they expect to accept.

If you have Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, this step is much simpler. You can generally see any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare, so there’s no plan network to verify. You’ll still want to review your separate Part D drug plan, which can change each year.

Step 3: Will your prescriptions cost more in 2027?

Your drug costs depend on your plan’s drug list, the tier each drug is on and the pharmacy you use, so the only way to know is to check your exact prescriptions against each 2027 plan. Federal Part D limits also change in 2027, raising the out-of-pocket cap and the maximum deductible.

Write down every medication, the dose and how often you take it. Then compare plans using the Medicare Plan Finder or our Rx drug lookup. Look closely at the total estimated yearly cost, not just the monthly premium. A low premium can come with noticeably higher costs at the pharmacy counter.

Also check your pharmacy. Many plans have preferred pharmacies with lower copays, and a pharmacy that was preferred this year may not be next year. Mail-order options may also change. For a deeper look at the federal drug-plan changes and what they may mean for you, see our guide to Part D in 2027.

What can you change during Annual Enrollment?

During Annual Enrollment you can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, move from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, and join, switch or drop a Part D drug plan. Whatever you choose by December 7 takes effect on January 1, 2027, and your new plan will send you a new ID card.

One point surprises many people: Annual Enrollment is not a guaranteed-acceptance window for Medicare Supplement plans. You can apply to change Medigap plans at any time of year, but outside your initial Medigap open enrollment, insurers may ask health questions and can decline you. Plan for that before leaving a Medigap policy you already have.

If you’re unsure which kind of coverage fits your life, our comparison of Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage in Ohio walks through the trade-offs in plain English, including networks, travel and what happens if you want to switch back later. It’s a good read before you make any bigger change to your coverage.

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or the reverse
• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
• Join a Part D prescription drug plan, switch plans or drop drug coverage
• Switch between Medicare Advantage plans with and without drug coverage

What if you miss the December 7 deadline?

If you miss December 7, you’ll generally keep your current coverage for 2027. People already in a Medicare Advantage plan get a second chance from January 1 to March 31, 2027, when they can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan one time or return to Original Medicare, with or without a drug plan.

Outside those windows, changes are usually limited to Special Enrollment Periods triggered by life events, such as moving out of your plan’s service area, losing other coverage or qualifying for certain help with costs. Each one has its own rules and timing, so it’s worth asking before you assume you’re stuck with a plan that no longer fits.

The easiest approach is simply not to wait. Plans, call centers and agents all get busier as December approaches. Starting in mid-October gives you time to ask questions, compare carefully and make a calm decision instead of a rushed one. It also leaves room to fix any paperwork problems before the deadline arrives.

What should you gather before your plan review?

Before you compare plans, gather your Medicare card, your current plan ID card, your Annual Notice of Change, a list of your doctors and a complete list of your prescriptions with doses and how often you take them. Having everything in one place makes the review faster and your cost comparisons far more accurate.

It also helps to jot down how you used your coverage this year. Did you see specialists often? Did you have a hospital stay, outpatient surgery or physical therapy? Did you spend weeks away from home? Those details shape which plan design fits you, and they’re easy to forget once you’re in the middle of comparing numbers.

Finally, think about what you’d like to be different next year. Maybe you want lower monthly premiums, more predictable costs, a particular hospital in network or a plan that includes dental coverage. Writing your priorities down keeps the comparison focused on what matters to you, rather than on whichever plan feature sounds most impressive.

• Red, white and blue Medicare card and your current plan ID card
• Your 2027 Annual Notice of Change
• Names of your doctors, specialists, hospitals and pharmacy
• Every prescription, with the dose and how often you take it
• A short list of what you’d like your 2027 coverage to do better

How can Kris help with your Annual Enrollment review?

Kris Kryder is a licensed, independent agent who has helped Medicare clients across northwest Ohio since 2017. She can review your Annual Notice of Change, your doctors and your prescriptions with you, then compare 2027 options from the carriers she represents in a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. She’ll explain the trade-offs in plain English.

You can meet in person at our Perrysburg office, or by phone or video if that’s easier for you. Call (419) 277-8097, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, or request a quote online and Kris will reach out. There’s no pressure and no obligation to change anything at all.

Prefer to do some research on your own first? Our Medicare FAQ answers many common questions, and the official Medicare.gov website and 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) are always available. Whatever you decide, bring your notes and your Annual Notice of Change along, and Kris will help you fill in any gaps before the December 7 deadline.