The 2027 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is Almost Here

by | Sep 7, 2026 | health insurance agency

An Absolute Best Insurance agent helps a senior couple compare plans before the 2027 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period,

Key Takeaways

  • 2027 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period: Enroll from October 15 through December 7, 2026. Approved changes begin January 1, 2027.
  • Change your Medicare coverage: Switch private plans, return to Original Medicare, or add, drop, or change prescription coverage.
  • Check 2027 drug costs: The standard deductible can reach $700, with a $2,400 annual out-of-pocket threshold.
  • Do not confuse AEP with OEP: OEP runs January 1 through March 31 and only serves current Medicare Advantage plan members.

The 2027 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, often called AEP, is your yearly Medicare reset button, but that button stops working after December 7. Enrollment opens October 15, 2026, and closes December 7, 2026. Changes made during this window take effect on January 1, 2027.

Prescription costs deserve close attention this year. Under the standard Part D benefit, the deductible can reach $700 in 2027, and the annual out-of-pocket threshold rises to $2,400, according to the 2027 CMS rate announcement.

Absolute Best Insurance has met the insurance needs of South Florida clients for over 20 years. Our licensed agents also serve Lancaster in Pennsylvania. 

We help you compare Medicare plans, health insurance, ACA coverage, life insurance, dental plans, and related options based on your doctors, prescriptions, concerns, and budget.

2027 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Dates and Deadlines

The Annual Enrollment Period begins October 15, 2026. The deadline is December 7, 2026. Your plan must receive your enrollment request by that date.

Prepare Now for the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. Review Your Options Today!Coverage changes made at any point during the enrollment window take effect on January 1, 2027. Enrolling on October 15 does not create an earlier effective date. Enrolling on December 7 still produces a January 1 start, as long as the plan receives your request before the deadline.

The official Medicare enrollment rules apply to beneficiaries in both states. This annual enrollment window gives current beneficiaries a chance to change health or drug coverage for the coming year.

Remember these three dates:

  • October 15, 2026: Enrollment opens.
  • December 7, 2026: Enrollment closes.
  • January 1, 2027: New coverage begins.

This period generally does not enroll you in Medicare for the first time. New beneficiaries usually sign up for Part A and Part B during their first Medicare enrollment window or another period for which they qualify.

Annual Enrollment and OEP Have Different Rules

The fall Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) are not the same.

The fall period runs from October 15 through December 7. It is for people who already have Medicare. You can switch between private Medicare coverage and federally managed coverage, switch private plans, or add, drop, or change a standalone prescription drug plan. Changes take effect on January 1.

OEP runs from January 1 through March 31. It is only for people already enrolled in a Part C plan. You can make one change during this period. You may switch to another MA plan or leave your plan and return to Original Medicare. If you return to federally managed coverage, you may also join a standalone prescription drug plan.

OEP does not let someone using federally managed coverage switch from one standalone prescription drug plan to another. Changes made during OEP take effect on the first day of the month after the plan receives the request.

What You Can Change During Annual Enrollment

You can use this enrollment period to:

  • Switch from one private Medicare plan to another, with or without prescription coverage.
  • Move from Original Medicare to a private Part C plan.
  • Leave a Medicare Advantage plan and return to federally managed coverage.
  • Join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan.

Available plans depend on your home ZIP code. A plan offered in Tamarac may differ from one offered in Port St. Lucie or Lancaster. Benefits, networks, formularies, premiums, and cost sharing can also change from one county to another.

“Every year, we meet people who assume their current plan will stay the same. A short review can catch a doctor, drug, or cost change before it becomes a problem in January.”
     –   Stacy Murphy, Owner/Operator of Absolute Best Insurance

What We Know About 2027 Medicare Costs Right Now

The confirmed 2027 standard prescription benefit includes a deductible of up to $700 and a $2,400 annual out-of-pocket threshold. Some plans may offer a lower deductible, but you must check the terms of the plan available in your county.

CMS also set the 2027 national base beneficiary premium at $41.33. This figure helps calculate plan premiums. It is not the amount that every beneficiary will pay.

At the time of this update, CMS had not released final average premiums or complete county-level plan data for 2027. CMS said it expected to publish that information in mid-to-late September after plan offerings were finalized. The agency also confirmed that the standalone prescription plan Premium Stabilization Demonstration will end after 2026. These details appear in the latest CMS prescription plan update.

Your actual premium, deductible, copays, pharmacy network, and formulary will depend on the plan you select. Our article about 2027 prescription coverage changes explains why reviewing total yearly costs matters.

How Medigap Timing Differs From Annual Enrollment

The fall Medicare enrollment period does not automatically give you a new right to buy or switch a Medigap policy. Medicare Supplement enrollment follows separate rules.

For residents of Florida and Pennsylvania, the six-month enrollment window tied to Part B plans does not automatically repeat every fall. You may also have guaranteed-issue rights in certain situations, such as losing qualifying coverage or moving out of a plan’s service area.

If you plan to leave a Medicare Advantage plan, confirm that the Medigap coverage you want is available before you cancel anything. An agent can review possible underwriting and guaranteed-issue protections based on your circumstances.

Senior woman reviews coverage before the 2027 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period begins October 15.

Review Your Current Coverage Before October 15

Your current plan should send an Annual Notice of Change by September 30. This document lists changes scheduled for January, including premiums, benefits, drug coverage, and provider rules.

Before AEP opens, compare that notice with the care you expect to use in 2027. Check:

  • Your primary doctor and specialists
  • Hospitals and outpatient facilities
  • Every prescription, dosage, and drug tier
  • Preferred and standard pharmacies
  • Monthly premiums and annual deductibles
  • Copays, coinsurance, and maximum yearly costs
  • Prior authorization and referral requirements
  • Dental, vision, hearing, and fitness benefits

Do not compare plans based only on a $0 premium or an extra benefit advertised on television. A plan can cost more overall if your specialist leaves its network or your medication moves to a higher tier.

Stacy Murphy explains, “We start with the care you actually use. Your doctors, hospitals, medications, and pharmacy should drive the comparison, not a television commercial.”

Check Local Doctors, Hospitals, and Pharmacies

Local provider access matters because Medicare health plan networks differ by county and ZIP code. Confirm every provider directly with the plan before enrolling.

If you live in Tamarac, check doctors and facilities near University Drive, Nob Hill Road, Commercial Boulevard, and Woodmont Hospital. Residents using our Deerfield Beach office should review access to Broward Health North on Sample Road, along with specialists near Hillsboro Boulevard and Federal Highway.

In Greenacres, your review may include doctors along Jog Road and Lake Worth Road, as well as nearby JFK Hospital. Port St. Lucie residents should check providers around Gatlin Boulevard, St. Lucie West, Tradition, Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital, and St. Lucie Hospital.

For Vero Beach residents, confirm access to Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and medical offices around Indian River Boulevard and 37th Street. People in Micco and Sebastian should check Orlando Health Sebastian River Hospital, U.S. 1 providers, local pharmacies, and specialists farther north or south.

In Melbourne, compare networks around Harbor City Boulevard, Wickham Road, Holmes Regional Medical Center, and Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital. Space Coast residents who travel between Melbourne, Micco, and Sebastian should also check how the plan handles care outside their immediate ZIP code.

Our Lancaster agents can help residents compare access to Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital, practices near Lititz Pike, pharmacies around Route 30, and providers near Embassy Drive. A plan sold in Lancaster County can have different costs and networks from plans available in our other service areas.

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How Absolute Best Insurance Helps You Prepare

Our agents build the comparison around your situation. We ask about your doctors, prescriptions, preferred hospitals, budget, travel, and the benefits you use.

We can help you:

  • Review your current coverage and Annual Notice of Change.
  • Compare available plans by total estimated yearly cost.
  • Check provider, hospital, pharmacy, and drug coverage.
  • Explain plan rules, referrals, prior authorization, and extra benefits.
  • Review supplement options before you leave existing coverage.
  • Submit your selection before the December 7 deadline.

There is no additional cost for our plan review or enrollment help. You can meet with a licensed agent at one of our local offices, speak by phone, or request a house call where available.

“Starting early gives us time to compare your options carefully and answer your questions before the December 7 deadline,” says Stacy Murphy.

Your AEP Preparation Checklist

checkFind your Annual Notice of Change.

checkList every prescription and dosage.

checkWrite down your doctors, specialists, hospitals, and pharmacies.

checkEstimate the care you expect to use during 2027.

checkCompare premiums, deductibles, copays, and yearly limits.

checkConfirm provider and prescription coverage with the plan.

checkAsk questions and select coverage before December 7.

checkKeep your enrollment confirmation and new plan documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Does the 2027 Enrollment Period Begin?

It begins October 15, 2026, and ends December 7, 2026.

When Does My New Coverage Begin?

Changes submitted during the enrollment period take effect on January 1, 2027. The plan must receive your request by December 7.

Do I Have to Change My Current Plan?

No. If your plan continues into 2027, you can keep it. You should still review its costs, benefits, network, and drug coverage because those details can change.

Can I Enroll in Medicare for the First Time During This Period?

Not usually. First-time enrollment follows Initial, General, or Special Enrollment Period rules based on your age, work coverage, disability status, and other circumstances.

Can I Buy a Medicare Supplement Policy During This Period?

You may apply, but the fall enrollment period does not automatically create guaranteed-issue rights. Confirm eligibility, underwriting, and the policy’s effective date before leaving current coverage.

What Happens if I Miss December 7?

You may need to keep your current coverage until another enrollment opportunity applies. If you are already enrolled in an MA plan, OEP runs from January 1 through March 31 and allows one change. Certain life events may also qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period.

Does It Cost Extra to Work With One of Our Agents?

No. We do not charge you an additional fee for plan comparison or enrollment assistance.

Start Your 2027 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Review Today

December 7 can arrive faster than you expect. Contact Absolute Best Insurance early so we have time to check your doctors, prescriptions, hospitals, pharmacies, and expected costs.

Our licensed agents serve communities across Florida and Lancaster, PA. Call your nearest office or schedule a consultation before appointment times fill up.

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