Millions of Americans are entering Medicare’s annual open enrollment season, but this year, keeping the same health insurance plan could mean paying more, losing access to a preferred doctor or discovering that a familiar plan will no longer be offered in 2027.
The enrollment period began October 15, 2026, and continues through December 7, 2026. During these weeks, Medicare beneficiaries can review their coverage, compare available plans and make changes that generally take effect January 1, 2027.
For many people, doing nothing means their current coverage will renew automatically.
But not every plan is continuing next year.
Some insurance companies are leaving certain markets, eliminating plans or changing benefits. Others are adjusting premiums, prescription drug coverage, provider networks and out-of-pocket costs.
That makes one document particularly important: the Annual Notice of Change, often abbreviated ANOC.
Medicare health and prescription drug plans send this notice to explain what will change in the upcoming year.
The letter may have arrived in September, and it can be easy to overlook among advertisements, insurance mailings and other paperwork.
But ignoring it could leave beneficiaries facing unexpected healthcare expenses or changes in access to medical care.
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, beneficiaries should review their annual plan materials even when they believe they are satisfied with their current coverage.
For retirees living on fixed incomes, the consequences can extend beyond insurance premiums.
A prescription that costs $10 this year could move to a different pricing tier. A specialist may leave a plan’s network. A dental benefit could shrink. And some people may need to select entirely new coverage because their current plan is ending.
Here’s what beneficiaries and their families should know before allowing Medicare coverage to renew automatically.
The Seven-Week Enrollment Period Is Already Underway
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7 every year.
During this period, people who already have Medicare can generally make several types of coverage changes.
They can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, move from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare, change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another or join, switch or drop a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, subject to the coverage rules that apply.
Changes made during the annual enrollment period generally take effect January 1.
The deadline is especially important because people who miss it may have to wait for another enrollment opportunity unless they qualify for a special enrollment period.
Medicare has a separate Medicare Advantage open enrollment period from January 1 through March 31, but that period does not provide the same choices to everyone.
For example, someone enrolled only in Original Medicare cannot use that later period simply to join Medicare Advantage.
The safest approach is to review coverage before December 7 rather than assuming a later opportunity will be available.
The Letter to Look For Is Called the Annual Notice of Change
Every fall, Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans send members an Annual Notice of Change.
The document explains important changes scheduled for the following calendar year.
According to Medicare.gov’s official explanation, beneficiaries should generally receive the notice in September.
The notice may identify changes to monthly premiums, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, covered services and other plan rules.
For prescription drug coverage, changes can include which medications are covered and what patients pay for them.
For Medicare Advantage, the notice may also describe changes affecting healthcare benefits and the costs associated with receiving care.
A plan can keep the same name while making meaningful changes to its coverage.
That means a familiar insurance card or company logo does not guarantee that next year’s benefits will match this year’s.
Beneficiaries who have not received their notice should contact their current plan and request a copy.
It may also be available through the insurer’s online member portal.
Why Doing Nothing Can Be Risky This Year
Automatic renewal is convenient when a plan continues and its coverage still meets the beneficiary’s needs.
But it can also create a false sense of security.
A person may assume that because their plan worked well in 2026, it will provide the same coverage in 2027.
That is not necessarily true.
Insurance companies can change plan terms from year to year, within Medicare’s rules.
A prescription may move to a more expensive tier.
A preferred pharmacy may no longer offer the lowest cost-sharing.
A physician or hospital may leave a network.
A supplemental benefit may become less generous.
And a plan that is being discontinued may not renew at all.
The most important distinction is between a plan that is continuing with changes and a plan that is ending.
When a plan continues, beneficiaries who do not make changes are generally re-enrolled, subject to eligibility and other program rules.
When a plan is discontinued or withdraws from an area, the beneficiary may need to make an active coverage decision.
That is why the notices deserve attention even from people who have no intention of changing insurers.
Some Medicare Advantage Plans Are Disappearing in 2027
The changes are not limited to higher costs.
Some Medicare Advantage insurers are withdrawing from certain counties or eliminating particular products.
An October 13 report from MarketWatch, citing an analysis by health policy organization KFF, found that the average Medicare beneficiary will have access to approximately 35 Medicare Advantage plans in 2027, compared with 39 in 2026.
The report also described millions of beneficiaries facing disruptions because of plan exits and changes.
A separate October 14 report from Barron’s cited an analysis estimating that approximately 3.1 million people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage or Special Needs Plans would need to find new coverage because their plans were ending or leaving their counties.
These figures come from different analyses and should not be treated as identical measures.
The broader conclusion is clear: plan availability is changing, and some beneficiaries will need to make a new selection.
At the same time, federal officials project that most Medicare beneficiaries will continue to have multiple Medicare Advantage options.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ 2027 outlook estimates that more than 99% of Medicare beneficiaries will have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan and 97% will have access to at least 10.
Both facts matter.
There may be many plans available nationally while a particular beneficiary still loses the one that covers their preferred doctors, prescriptions or services.
A Texas Health Plan Is One Example of What Can Happen
The issue is already affecting beneficiaries in Texas.
Memorial Hermann Health Plan, associated with the Houston-based healthcare system, is ending its Medicare Advantage plan on December 31, 2026.
According to an October 15 report from the Houston Chronicle, affected members have been informed that they must consider alternative coverage for 2027.
The insurer cited factors including competition, regulatory uncertainty and compliance requirements.
For people enrolled in the discontinued plan, this is not simply a question of whether next year’s premium will be higher.
Their current Medicare Advantage coverage is ending.
Members need to review their options, including whether another Medicare Advantage plan or Original Medicare with appropriate supplemental arrangements meets their needs.
Those who do not choose a replacement Medicare Advantage plan may return to Original Medicare when their current plan ends, but prescription drug coverage and other protections require careful attention.
The situation illustrates why a plan termination notice should never be treated as ordinary promotional mail.
For affected beneficiaries, it is a warning that an active coverage decision may be necessary.
What Happens if Your Medicare Advantage Plan Is Ending?
If an insurer is discontinuing a Medicare Advantage plan or withdrawing it from a beneficiary’s service area, the company must provide notice.
The letter should explain that the plan will no longer be available and identify relevant enrollment rights.
A person whose Medicare Advantage plan ends generally retains Medicare eligibility.
The end of a private plan does not mean the person loses Medicare itself.
However, the type of coverage they have afterward may change.
Depending on their circumstances, they may choose another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.
If they return to Original Medicare, they should consider whether they need a separate Part D prescription drug plan.
They may also need to evaluate Medigap coverage, which can help pay certain out-of-pocket costs under Original Medicare.
Some people whose Medicare Advantage plans terminate have special rights to purchase certain Medigap policies.
Those rights depend on the circumstances and applicable rules, and deadlines can matter.
Beneficiaries should not assume that returning to Original Medicare automatically restores every benefit they previously received through Medicare Advantage.
There May Be Extra Enrollment Rights When a Plan Ends
December 7 is the general annual open enrollment deadline.
But beneficiaries whose plans are ending may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
That means they may have additional time to choose replacement coverage.
The exact dates and options depend on the reason the plan is ending and the beneficiary’s circumstances.
For example, someone whose Medicare Advantage plan is not renewing may have a special opportunity to enroll in another plan beyond the standard annual enrollment window.
However, waiting can create complications.
Coverage start dates may depend on when the enrollment request is submitted.
Someone who wants new coverage to begin January 1 should act early enough to avoid unnecessary uncertainty.
The most reliable approach is to read the termination notice, contact Medicare or seek assistance from a State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
Beneficiaries should not assume that every plan change creates the same special enrollment rights.
The Five Parts of the Notice That Deserve the Closest Attention
The Annual Notice of Change can contain many pages.
For someone unfamiliar with insurance terminology, it may feel overwhelming.
But several sections deserve particular attention.
1. Monthly premiums. Check whether the amount paid to the insurance company will increase, decrease or remain unchanged.
2. Deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. Review what must be paid before certain benefits begin and how much the plan may require for medical services.
3. Prescription drug coverage. Look for changes affecting regularly used medications, including coverage restrictions and cost-sharing.
4. Healthcare services and supplemental benefits. Review changes to benefits such as dental, vision, hearing and other services, where applicable.
5. Plan availability and important notices. Determine whether the plan will continue in the beneficiary’s area and whether the insurer requires any action.
The notice is a starting point.
Some details, including provider directories and prescription drug formularies, may require separate review.
A plan can appear affordable on the first page while becoming expensive for someone who needs frequent specialist visits or costly medications.
The Prescription Drug List May Matter More Than the Premium
For many older adults, medication expenses are among the most important factors in choosing Medicare coverage.
Part D plans maintain lists of covered medications called formularies.
These lists can change from year to year.
A medication may remain covered but move to a different tier with higher cost-sharing.
A plan may introduce or change prior authorization, step therapy or quantity-limit requirements, subject to Medicare rules.
The pharmacy a beneficiary uses can also affect costs.
Some plans have preferred pharmacy networks that offer lower prices for certain medications.
That means two plans with similar monthly premiums can produce very different annual costs for the same person.
Before selecting a plan, beneficiaries should enter their current medications and preferred pharmacies into the official Medicare Plan Finder.
The tool can help estimate total costs based on available plan information.
For someone taking several prescriptions, comparing estimated annual expenses may be more useful than looking only at the monthly premium.
Medicare’s 2027 Drug Cost Limits Are Changing
Prescription drug coverage will also change in 2027 because of adjustments to Medicare Part D rules.
According to reporting from the Associated Press, the annual out-of-pocket spending cap for covered Part D drugs will rise from $2,100 in 2026 to $2,400 in 2027.
The standard Part D deductible will increase from $615 to $700.
These figures do not mean every beneficiary will pay those amounts.
Actual costs depend on the plan, medications, coverage phase and other factors.
The out-of-pocket cap applies to covered Part D prescription drug spending under the program’s rules.
It does not establish a universal limit on every medical expense or every medication a person might purchase.
For beneficiaries taking expensive prescriptions, the increase in the cap may be important when estimating the maximum amount they could pay for covered drugs during the year.
The changes are another reason to compare plans based on total expected costs rather than premium alone.
Some Drug Prices Will Be Lower in 2027
Not every change means higher costs.
Medicare’s negotiated prices for an additional group of prescription drugs will take effect in 2027.
The Associated Press reported that the negotiated prices will apply to 15 high-cost medications, including Ozempic and Wegovy.
Federal officials estimate the negotiated prices will generate savings for Medicare beneficiaries.
However, the amount an individual pays will depend on their coverage, the medication, the plan’s cost-sharing rules and other factors.
A negotiated price does not mean every patient will receive the medication for the same amount.
Beneficiaries should compare the estimated cost of their actual prescriptions rather than assuming that a lower negotiated price automatically produces a specific reduction in their pharmacy bill.
The broader point is that 2027 includes both increases in certain Part D limits and changes that may reduce costs for some medications.
Medicare Advantage Premiums May Fall Even as Some Benefits Change
Federal projections show that the average Medicare Advantage premium is expected to decrease in 2027.
CMS estimates the weighted average monthly premium across Medicare Advantage plans will fall from $14.37 in 2026 to approximately $12 in 2027.
That represents a projected decrease of about 16.5%.
For standalone Part D plans, the average monthly premium is projected to increase from $35.09 to approximately $36.
These are national averages.
They do not mean that every Medicare Advantage member will pay $12 or that every person’s premium will decrease.
Many Medicare Advantage plans have $0 additional plan premiums, while others charge more.
Beneficiaries also generally remain responsible for their Medicare Part B premiums.
A lower Medicare Advantage premium does not necessarily mean lower overall healthcare expenses.
A plan with a lower monthly premium may have higher copayments, a different network or reduced supplemental benefits.
The right comparison is the complete package of coverage and expected costs.
Your Doctor Could Be the Most Important Part of the Decision
One of the biggest differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage involves access to healthcare providers.
Original Medicare generally allows beneficiaries to use doctors and hospitals that accept Medicare.
Medicare Advantage plans often rely on provider networks and may have additional rules concerning referrals or prior authorization.
Those arrangements can affect where beneficiaries receive care.
A plan that covered a preferred specialist in 2026 may have a different network in 2027.
A hospital may no longer participate.
A particular medical group may move out of network.
For someone receiving ongoing treatment, those changes can be disruptive.
Before renewing or changing a Medicare Advantage plan, beneficiaries should verify that their important healthcare providers are participating for the coming year.
That includes primary care physicians, specialists, hospitals and other facilities they expect to use.
Online directories are helpful, but provider participation can change.
When a particular doctor or treatment facility is essential, contacting the provider and the plan directly can offer additional confirmation.
Don’t Forget Dental, Vision and Hearing Benefits
Many Medicare Advantage plans advertise supplemental benefits that are not routinely covered by Original Medicare.
These may include dental services, eyeglasses, hearing aids and other benefits.
Such coverage can be valuable.
But the details matter.
A plan may advertise dental coverage while limiting the annual amount available for major procedures.
Vision benefits may apply only to certain providers or products.
Hearing aid allowances may have restrictions.
Some benefits may require using specific networks or following particular authorization procedures.
The Annual Notice of Change can help identify whether these benefits are being modified.
Beneficiaries should also review the plan’s Evidence of Coverage and Summary of Benefits.
A supplemental benefit should be evaluated based on what the person is likely to use and what the plan actually pays.
An attractive advertised benefit may be less valuable if it comes with limitations that do not fit the beneficiary’s needs.
Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage Are Not the Same
Open enrollment can be confusing because people sometimes use the word Medicare to describe several different coverage arrangements.
Original Medicare is the federal program consisting of Part A and Part B.
Part A generally covers inpatient hospital services, while Part B covers many outpatient medical services.
People with Original Medicare may also enroll in a standalone Part D prescription drug plan.
Some purchase Medigap supplemental insurance to help cover certain out-of-pocket costs.
Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C, is an alternative offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare.
These plans provide Medicare-covered Part A and Part B services and often include prescription drug coverage.
They may also offer additional benefits.
However, Medicare Advantage plans generally have provider networks, plan-specific rules and annual out-of-pocket maximums for covered Part A and Part B services.
Original Medicare does not have the same annual out-of-pocket maximum unless the beneficiary has other coverage that helps limit costs.
Neither arrangement is automatically the best fit for every person.
The decision depends on healthcare needs, preferred providers, medications, financial circumstances and other factors.
Switching Back to Original Medicare Requires Careful Planning
A beneficiary leaving Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare should think beyond the immediate change in coverage.
One important issue is Medigap.
Medigap policies are sold by private insurers and help pay certain costs that Original Medicare does not cover.
But enrollment rights differ from the annual Medicare Advantage and Part D open enrollment rules.
A person may not always have a guaranteed right to purchase any Medigap policy they want after leaving Medicare Advantage.
In some circumstances, insurers can use medical underwriting, depending on federal and state rules.
There are important exceptions, including certain guaranteed-issue rights when a Medicare Advantage plan terminates.
Because these rules can affect both eligibility and cost, beneficiaries should investigate Medigap options before making a switch.
They should also consider prescription drug coverage.
Returning to Original Medicare without arranging appropriate Part D coverage could create unexpected medication expenses or other consequences.
The Medicare Plan Finder Can Compare 2027 Options
Medicare provides an online tool that allows beneficiaries to compare health and prescription drug plans available in their area.
The Medicare Plan Finder displays information about premiums, deductibles, estimated drug costs and other plan features.
Users can search by ZIP code and enter information about their medications and pharmacies.
Those details can make the comparison more relevant to their actual needs.
For example, two plans may have the same monthly premium but substantially different prescription costs.
Another plan may have a higher premium but lower expected expenses for someone who regularly visits specialists.
The tool is intended to help beneficiaries examine those differences.
CMS has also introduced improvements for the 2027 enrollment season, including easier access to certain plan documents and clearer notices about changes affecting current coverage.
Beneficiaries who are uncomfortable using a computer can receive help through Medicare’s telephone service or local counseling programs.
Free Medicare Counseling Is Available
Medicare decisions can be complicated, especially when someone has several chronic conditions, multiple prescriptions or limited financial resources.
Families do not have to navigate every detail alone.
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program, commonly called SHIP, provides free counseling about Medicare coverage.
SHIP counselors can help beneficiaries understand enrollment rules, compare plans and identify possible assistance programs.
The service is available through state programs across the country.
Beneficiaries can find local assistance through SHIPHelp.org.
They can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for official Medicare assistance.
This can be particularly helpful when a current plan is ending or when someone is considering switching between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare.
Independent insurance agents and brokers may also provide assistance, but consumers should understand that brokers may receive commissions from insurers.
Asking how an adviser is compensated can help beneficiaries understand the nature of the service.
Families Helping Aging Parents Should Review the Mail Together
For adult children assisting older parents, the annual enrollment period can be an opportunity to prevent unexpected problems.
Some beneficiaries may receive multiple insurance mailings and have difficulty identifying which documents require attention.
Others may assume that their plan will remain unchanged because they have used the same insurance company for years.
A family member can help by locating the Annual Notice of Change, reviewing the list of medications and confirming important doctors.
It may also be useful to compare the estimated total annual cost of the current plan with other available options.
However, the beneficiary’s preferences and healthcare needs should remain central to the decision.
Someone who values continuity with a long-time physician may weigh network access differently from someone whose primary concern is prescription costs.
Families should also be cautious about sharing Medicare numbers or personal information with unsolicited callers.
The enrollment period creates opportunities for legitimate assistance, but it also attracts misleading marketing and scams.
Beware of Medicare Open Enrollment Scams
During enrollment season, beneficiaries may receive phone calls, emails, advertisements and mailings offering help with coverage.
Some communications are legitimate.
Others may be misleading or fraudulent.
Scammers may claim that a beneficiary must provide their Medicare number immediately to avoid losing coverage.
They may offer gifts or benefits in exchange for personal information.
Some may impersonate Medicare representatives or insurance companies.
Consumers should be cautious about unsolicited requests for sensitive information.
A beneficiary who wants to review coverage can begin independently at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
It is also important to distinguish official Medicare notices from marketing materials.
An advertisement describing a plan’s benefits is not the same as the Annual Notice of Change issued by a current insurer.
Families should verify plan details through official documents before enrolling.
What Happens if You Miss December 7?
The answer depends on the type of coverage and the beneficiary’s circumstances.
For many people, December 7 is the deadline to make changes for January 1 through the annual Medicare open enrollment period.
If their current plan continues, they may remain enrolled automatically.
But the plan’s 2027 costs and benefits will still apply.
People whose plans are ending may have special enrollment rights.
Those already enrolled in Medicare Advantage may have another opportunity to change coverage during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 through March 31.
However, that later period has limitations and is not a general extension of the December 7 deadline for everyone.
Beneficiaries should not wait until after the deadline to begin investigating their options.
If a plan is disappearing or an important provider is leaving the network, resolving the issue early can help avoid confusion when the new year begins.
A Practical Medicare Review Before December 7
A complete review does not have to begin with dozens of insurance brochures.
Beneficiaries can start with the coverage they already have.
First, locate the Annual Notice of Change and determine whether the plan will continue in 2027.
Next, compare the new premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs with the current year’s amounts.
Then review prescription drug coverage and confirm that preferred pharmacies remain appropriate.
After that, check important physicians and healthcare facilities.
Finally, compare the current plan with other available options using Medicare Plan Finder or assistance from a SHIP counselor.
If the current plan remains available and continues to meet the person’s needs, there may be no reason to change.
But that conclusion should come from reviewing the actual 2027 terms rather than assuming everything will remain the same.
The Most Important Medicare Dates for 2027 Coverage
| Date | What beneficiaries should know |
|---|---|
| September 2026 | Plans generally send Annual Notices of Change |
| October 1, 2026 | Information about 2027 plans becomes available for comparison |
| October 15, 2026 | Annual Medicare Open Enrollment begins |
| December 7, 2026 | General deadline to make annual enrollment changes |
| January 1, 2027 | New plan selections and annual coverage changes generally take effect |
| January 1–March 31, 2027 | Separate Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period for eligible enrollees |
Additional deadlines may apply to beneficiaries whose plans terminate or who qualify for special enrollment rights.
Those individuals should follow their official notices and verify their options with Medicare.
Why the Cheapest Premium Isn’t Always the Cheapest Coverage
One of the most common mistakes during insurance shopping is focusing primarily on the monthly premium.
A plan with a $0 additional premium may appear less expensive than one charging $40 or $60 per month.
But total annual healthcare expenses can tell a different story.
Someone who takes several costly prescriptions may pay more under a plan with less favorable drug coverage.
A beneficiary who regularly sees specialists may face higher copayments.
Another person may need to travel farther to receive care from in-network providers.
Dental and hearing benefits may also differ substantially.
For this reason, Medicare encourages beneficiaries to compare costs and benefits together.
The best financial comparison considers premiums, deductibles, expected medical expenses, prescription costs and the maximum out-of-pocket amount where applicable.
A lower premium is one factor—not the entire cost of coverage.
The Bottom Line: Read the Letter Before Letting Coverage Renew
Medicare Open Enrollment is underway through December 7, 2026, and the decisions beneficiaries make now will generally determine their coverage beginning January 1, 2027.
Some plans are continuing with relatively modest changes.
Others are adjusting prescription coverage, provider networks, premiums and supplemental benefits.
Some are disappearing entirely.
For people whose current plans are ending, an active decision may be necessary to avoid unwanted changes in coverage.
For everyone else, automatic renewal may still be appropriate—but only after reviewing the new terms.
The most important document is the Annual Notice of Change, which Medicare plans generally send in September.
That notice can reveal changes that are easy to miss until a medical bill arrives or a prescription costs more than expected.
Beneficiaries should also verify their doctors, medications and pharmacies before making a final decision.
And those who need help can use Medicare’s official Plan Finder, call 1-800-MEDICARE or seek free counseling through SHIP.
For retirees and families managing healthcare on a fixed budget, spending time reviewing coverage now may prevent expensive surprises next year.
The safest approach is not necessarily to change plans. It is to make sure that keeping the same plan is still an informed choice.
Original reporting and official resources
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — Medicare Open Enrollment Resources
- Medicare.gov — Plan Annual Notice of Change: What It Means and When to Expect It
- CMS — Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Programs Expected to Remain Stable in 2027
- Associated Press — A New Medicare Season Begins, but Some Shifts Will Arrive in 2027
- Medicare.gov — Compare 2027 Medicare Health and Drug Plans
- Medicare.gov — Notice When a Plan Is Leaving Medicare
- SHIP — Free State Health Insurance Assistance Program Counseling
- Medicare.gov — Official Medicare Information