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Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, 2026, with changes effective January 1, 2027. This is the one window each year to switch Medicare Advantage plans, move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Part D drug plans, or add coverage. Miss it and you are locked into your current coverage for all of 2027. Most people never review their plan and end up overpaying. Here is how to review yours in under an hour.
Key Takeaways
- The window is October 15 to December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027.
- Read your Annual Notice of Change (arrives by September 30) to see what is getting worse.
- Check that your doctors and drugs are still covered before you pick a plan.
- Compare plans on medicare.gov and favor 4- and 5-star plans by total annual cost.
What Can You Change During Open Enrollment?
- Switch from Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare.
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
- Join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan.
- Add or change a Medigap plan, though Medigap has separate rules and may require medical underwriting outside specific windows.
What Can’t You Change During Open Enrollment?
Open Enrollment doesn’t cover everything. You can’t use it to:
- Enroll in Medicare for the first time, that requires your Initial Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period.
- Add or change a Medigap policy in most states without medical underwriting, Medigap has separate rules year-round.
- Enroll in Medicaid or Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy, both have year-round enrollment instead.
Open Enrollment vs. the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
There’s a second, more limited window that trips people up: the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP), January 1 through March 31. It’s only for people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, and it lets you switch to a different MA plan or move back to Original Medicare (and add Part D), but you can’t use it to move from Original Medicare into an MA plan for the first time, that only happens during Open Enrollment or your Initial Enrollment Period.
| Window | Dates | Who can use it | What you can do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Enrollment (AEP) | Oct 15 – Dec 7 | All Medicare beneficiaries | Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage; change MA plan; add, switch, or drop Part D |
| MA Open Enrollment Period | Jan 1 – Mar 31 | Only people already in a Medicare Advantage plan | Switch to a different MA plan, or switch back to Original Medicare plus Part D; can’t move from Original Medicare into MA |
Why Review Your Plan Every Year?
Plans change annually. Your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan may have raised premiums for 2027, dropped your doctor from the network, moved your prescription to a more expensive tier, or added or removed benefits like dental, vision, hearing, or gym memberships. Medicare sends the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) each September showing what is changing for next year, so read it before the window opens. If your plan is getting worse, this is your chance to switch.
Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage: The Core Decision
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers hospital and medical care and works with any provider nationwide that accepts Medicare, the broadest network possible. It does not cover drugs (you need separate Part D), dental, vision, or hearing, and it has no out-of-pocket maximum, so most people add a Medigap policy to cap costs plus a Part D plan.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is private insurance that bundles Parts A, B, and usually D, often with dental, vision, and hearing. Premiums are typically lower than Original Medicare plus Medigap, but with network restrictions and prior authorization for some services. It has a mandatory in-network out-of-pocket maximum, which CMS caps at $9,250 for 2026 (many plans set theirs lower, and Part D has a separate $2,100 cap in 2026).
Medicare Advantage suits people who are generally healthy, live where Advantage networks are strong, and want bundled coverage at a lower premium. Original Medicare suits people with chronic conditions who need specialist access, frequent travelers, and anyone who values unlimited provider choice. See our guide on premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
How Do You Review Your Coverage Step by Step?
Read your ANOC. It arrives by September 30. If you did not get one, call your plan or check its website, and look for changes to premium, deductible, copays, the drug formulary, and the network.
Check your doctors and drugs. Call your primary doctor and specialists to confirm they will be in-network in 2027, and use Medicare’s Plan Finder at medicare.gov/plan-compare to enter your medications and compare drug costs across plans.
Compare alternatives on medicare.gov. The Plan Finder shows all plans in your zip code, their premiums, star ratings (1 to 5), and estimated annual costs for your drug list. Sort by estimated annual cost and favor plans rated 4 or 5 stars, which consistently outperform on quality and satisfaction.
Consider Extra Help. If your income is limited, the Extra Help program (Low Income Subsidy) pays most of your Part D premium and cuts copays. In 2026 you may qualify with income below roughly $22,590 (individual) or $30,660 (married couple). Apply at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.
What Are the Key Dates?
- September 30: plans must send the Annual Notice of Change.
- October 15: Open Enrollment begins.
- December 7: Open Enrollment ends, the last day to make changes.
- January 1, 2027: new coverage begins.
What If You Miss the Window?
Missing October 15 to December 7 locks you into your current coverage until the next open enrollment, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period triggered by events like moving, losing other coverage, or your plan leaving Medicare. Medicare Advantage also has a separate Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31, 2027, when you can switch from one Advantage plan to another or return to Original Medicare, a useful safety valve if your new coverage is not working.
FAQ
When is Medicare Open Enrollment 2026?
October 15 through December 7, 2026, with changes effective January 1, 2027. It is the main annual window to change Medicare Advantage, Part D, or move between Original Medicare and Advantage.
What is the 2026 Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket maximum?
CMS caps the in-network out-of-pocket maximum at $9,250 for 2026, though many plans set theirs lower. Part D drug spending has a separate $2,100 cap in 2026.
Should I read the Annual Notice of Change?
Yes. It arrives by September 30 and shows exactly how your plan’s premium, drugs, network, and benefits change for next year, so you can switch if it is getting worse.
What if I miss Medicare Open Enrollment?
You are generally locked in for the year unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Medicare Advantage members also get a second window, January 1 to March 31, to switch plans or return to Original Medicare.
Bottom Line
Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15 to December 7, 2026, and reviewing your plan, even when nothing seems broken, is the best way to avoid overpaying in 2027. Read your ANOC, confirm your doctors and drugs are covered, compare plans by total annual cost on medicare.gov, and favor 4- and 5-star plans. To go deeper, see our guides on choosing a health plan, health insurance costs, and premium vs deductible vs copay.
This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute health insurance advice. Plan details and limits vary and change yearly, so confirm current figures at medicare.gov.
