Every fall, the mailbox fills up with Medicare flyers, and the TV seems to run nothing but Medicare ads. It's easy to toss it all and keep the plan you have. But plans change every year, and a plan that was a good fit last year may cost you more next year, or drop your doctor or one of your medicines.
The good news: reviewing your coverage doesn't have to be overwhelming, and free, unbiased help is available. This guide walks you through it one step at a time.
Key dates
- October 15 to December 7, 2026: Medicare Open Enrollment. You can switch health plans or drug plans for 2027. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.
- January 1 to March 31, 2027: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment. If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare, one time during this period.
If you're happy with your coverage and it still fits for 2027, you don't need to do anything. Your plan generally renews on its own. But it's worth checking first.
What's changing for 2027
- Drug cost cap goes up. The yearly limit on what you pay out of pocket for covered Part D prescriptions rises to $2,400 in 2027 (it was $2,100 in 2026). Once you reach it, you pay nothing more for covered drugs for the rest of the year.
- Higher drug deductible. The most a Part D plan can charge for its deductible rises to $700 (from $615). Many plans charge less, or nothing.
- Insulin stays capped at $35 a month for covered insulin.
- Standalone drug plan premiums may change. A federal program that helped hold down premiums for standalone Part D plans is ending in 2027, so check your plan's new premium carefully.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans are changing or leaving. Some insurers are cutting back plans or leaving certain areas. If your plan is ending, you'll get a letter, and you'll have a chance to choose a new one.
- Lower negotiated prices on more drugs. Medicare negotiated prices on 15 more drugs, including some diabetes and cancer medicines. What you actually pay still depends on your plan.
The 2027 Part B premium and deductible are usually announced in the fall. Check Medicare.gov for the final numbers.
Your step-by-step plan review
1. Read your Annual Notice of Change
If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, it should have mailed you an Annual Notice of Change by September 30. It lists what's different next year: premiums, deductibles, copays, which drugs are covered, and which doctors and pharmacies are in the network. If you can't find it, call the number on your plan card and ask for another copy.
2. Make a list of what matters to you
- Every prescription you take, with the dose and how often.
- Your doctors, specialists, and hospital.
- The pharmacy you use, or whether you'd use mail order.
- Any care you expect next year, like a surgery, physical therapy, or regular specialist visits.
- Extras you care about, like dental, vision, or hearing coverage.
3. Compare plans with the Medicare Plan Finder
The free Medicare Plan Finder lets you enter your drugs and pharmacy and compare plans side by side. Look at the estimated total yearly cost, not just the monthly premium. A plan with a $0 premium can end up costing more if your drugs or doctor visits cost more. You can also check star ratings and whether your doctors are in network.
Prefer to talk to a person? Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
4. Double-check your doctors
If you're considering a Medicare Advantage plan, call your doctors' offices and ask, "Will you be in network with this plan in 2027?" Online directories aren't always up to date.
5. Think before leaving Original Medicare with a Medigap policy
If you have Original Medicare and a Medigap (supplement) policy and you're thinking of switching to Medicare Advantage, talk to a counselor first. In many states, if you later want to go back, a Medigap company can ask health questions and may charge more or turn you down.
6. Make your choice by December 7
You can enroll through the Plan Finder, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE, or by calling the plan directly. Write down the date, who you talked to, and any confirmation number, and watch for a letter confirming your new plan.
Free, unbiased help
Every state has a SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) with trained counselors who help people with Medicare compare plans for free. They don't sell insurance and don't earn commissions. Find yours at shiphelp.org. In California, the program is called HICAP: call 1-800-434-0222.
Appointments fill up fast in the fall, so call early. Many senior centers also host free Medicare help days during open enrollment.
Ways to lower your costs
- Extra Help helps pay Part D premiums, deductibles, and drug copays for people with limited income and savings. Apply at ssa.gov or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If you think you might qualify, it's worth applying.
- Medicare Savings Programs can help pay your Part B premium, and sometimes deductibles and copays. Apply through your state Medicaid office. People in these programs automatically get Extra Help too.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your drug costs into equal monthly payments across the year, instead of paying a lot at once early in the year. Ask your drug plan how to sign up.
- Ask about cheaper drugs. Your doctor or pharmacist may know a generic or lower-cost option that works just as well.
For more ways to save, see Health Care Help and Free Things for Seniors.
Watch out for Medicare scams
Open enrollment is a busy season for scammers. Keep these in mind:
- Medicare won't call you out of the blue to sell you a plan or ask for your Medicare number.
- Never give your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank information to someone who calls, texts, or knocks on your door uninvited.
- Be wary of anyone offering free gifts, cash, or "free" medical equipment in exchange for your Medicare number.
- TV ads that promise "extra benefits" or money back on your Social Security often come from companies paid to sell plans. Check any offer with your SHIP counselor first.
- Read your Medicare statements and report charges for care you didn't get. Your state's Senior Medicare Patrol can help: find it at smpresource.org or call 1-877-808-2468.
- For other scams that spike this time of year, see How to Avoid Holiday Scams.
Helping a parent or friend
Many people find Medicare confusing, and sitting down together can make a big difference. Offer to gather their medicines and plan letters, sit with them on a call to their SHIP counselor, or help them use the Plan Finder. Let them make the final choice. If you're caring for a parent, see How to Care for an Aging Parent.
More help
- Help for Seniors: Free Resources for Older Adults and Their Families
- How to Get Help With Medical Bills
- How to Stop Worrying About Money
- All Life Guides
Figures in this guide come from Medicare and are current as of October 2026. Always confirm the details of any plan before you enroll. Chances.org doesn't sell insurance or earn anything from your choice.