Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027: Dates, What You Can Change and What to Check

Short answer: Medicare's Open Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7. Changes you make take effect January 1 of the next year, and the plan must receive your request by December 7. Because the plan you have now may change next year, it is worth checking your own plan details before the deadline.

What you can do during Open Enrollment

According to Medicare.gov, during this period you can:

• Join, drop or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan, with or without drug coverage.
• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan, or go back from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare.
• If you have Original Medicare, join, drop or switch to another Medicare drug plan.

A second window: January 1 to March 31

If you are already in a Medicare Advantage Plan, there is a separate Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31. You can switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan or return to Original Medicare (and join a separate drug plan). Coverage starts the first of the month after the plan receives your request.

Checklist for comparing plans

1. Are your doctors and hospitals in the plan's network? Ask each provider directly.
2. Are your prescriptions covered, and at what cost tier?
3. Total yearly cost, not only the monthly premium: deductible, copays and out-of-pocket limits.
4. Changes for next year: read the notice your current plan sends about next year's changes.
5. Extra benefits (dental, vision, hearing) and whether you will really use them.
6. Use the Medicare Plan Finder and keep a note of the date and the results.

What we can't tell you

Which plan is best depends on your health, prescriptions, doctors and budget. This page does not recommend a plan. For one-on-one help, you can contact Medicare directly or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to change plans every year? No. If your current plan still works for you, you can keep it, but check the yearly changes.

What if I miss December 7? Other enrollment periods may apply in specific situations. Check Medicare.gov for yours.

Is this the same as ACA Marketplace enrollment? No. That is a separate process; see our guide to ACA Open Enrollment.

Next steps

Find your current plan's notice, list your doctors and prescriptions, run the Plan Finder, and decide before December 7. Dates were checked against Medicare.gov on October 12, 2026 and may change.