The key dates
| Date | What it means |
|---|---|
| October 15, 2026 | Open Enrollment starts. You can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. |
| December 7, 2026 | Last day of Open Enrollment. |
| January 1, 2027 | Your new plan starts. |
| January 1 to March 31, 2027 | If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to another Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare one time. |
What to check before December 7
- Read your Annual Notice of Change. Your plan mails this letter each fall. It lists what changes in your plan for next year.
- Check your doctors and hospital. Make sure they are in your plan’s network for 2027, not just this year.
- Check your medicines. Drug lists and prices change every year. Look up each medicine and dose, and your pharmacy.
- Look at the total cost. Premium, deductible and copays together, not just the monthly price.
- Call us first. Before you switch, let us check the plans we offer side by side for you.
What is changing for 2027
- Part D drug plans: Medicare raised both the highest deductible a drug plan can have and the yearly cap on what you pay for covered drugs. See the 2027 amounts on our Medicare costs page.
- Kansas City hospital networks: Saint Luke’s says it will be out of network for Aetna Medicare Advantage plans starting January 1, 2027 (Saint Luke’s, as of October 2026). NKC Health says it became out of network with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans on October 1, 2026 (NKC Health, as of August 2026). See your doctors and hospitals.
Get a free 2027 plan check
Send us your name and number. Someone from our team will call to set up a time with a licensed agent.
Questions people ask us
When is Medicare open enrollment for 2027?
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. Changes you make start January 1, 2027.
What is the deadline to change my Medicare plan?
December 7, 2026 is the last day of Open Enrollment. If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one more chance to switch from January 1 to March 31, 2027.
Do I have to do anything during open enrollment?
No. If you do nothing, your plan usually renews. But plans change each year, so it is smart to check your doctors and medicines before December 7.
Can I change my Medicare Supplement during open enrollment?
Open Enrollment is for Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans. Supplement changes follow different rules. In Missouri there is a yearly anniversary rule. See Missouri vs Kansas.
What if my plan sent a letter saying it is ending?
You may get extra time to choose a new plan. See what to do if your plan is ending.