Medicare Open Enrollment Checklist: How to Review (and When to Switch) Your Plan for 2027
A step-by-step checklist for Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15 to Dec 7). See what to review, when switching plans makes sense for 2027, and how to compare for free.
Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 to December 7, 2026, for 2027 coverage. This is your once-a-year chance to change your Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan. Even if you are happy with your plan, you should review it every year, because plans change their premiums, drug lists, networks, and extra benefits annually. Here is a simple checklist to review your coverage and decide whether to switch for 2027.
Why review your plan every year
Each September, your plan mails an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). It spells out exactly what is changing for the coming year: your premium, deductible, copays, covered drugs, pharmacy network, provider network, and extra benefits. A plan that was a great fit this year can look very different next year. The people who overpay are usually the ones who auto-renew without reading it. For more on why plans shift, see why so many plans change or disappear each year.
Your Medicare Open Enrollment checklist
Work through these before December 7:
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Read your ANOC letter | The September notice lists every change to your plan for 2027. Flag anything that went up. |
| Your prescriptions | Confirm each drug is still on the plan's formulary and at the same tier. Formularies change every year. |
| Your pharmacy | Make sure your pharmacy is still "preferred." Preferred vs standard can change your copays a lot. |
| Your doctors | Confirm your doctors and hospitals are still in network, especially on HMO and PPO plans. |
| Premiums and out-of-pocket | Compare the new premium, deductible, and out-of-pocket maximum against what you pay now. |
| Extra benefits | Check dental, vision, hearing, over-the-counter, and any flex card or Part B giveback. These change yearly. |
| Star rating | Compare plan quality with the Medicare star ratings. Higher-rated plans can be worth a switch. |
| Savings programs | See if you now qualify for Extra Help or a Medicare Savings Program to lower your costs. |
When switching plans makes sense
You do not have to switch, and staying put is fine if your plan still fits. But it is usually worth switching plans when:
- A drug you take is dropped from the formulary or moves to a higher tier.
- Your premium or out-of-pocket costs jumped more than you expected in the ANOC.
- A doctor or hospital you use left the network.
- Your plan is being discontinued for 2027, in which case you need to pick a new one or you may be moved to Original Medicare.
- Another plan offers better extra benefits (stronger dental, a larger over-the-counter allowance, or a giveback) for the same or lower cost.
What you can change during AEP
During October 15 to December 7, you can:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or the reverse.
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
- Join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan.
Any change you make takes effect January 1, 2027. If you miss AEP, your next chance is usually the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31), which is more limited, or a Special Enrollment Period if a qualifying life event applies to you. See every window in our guide to Medicare open enrollment dates. Note that switching a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan follows different rules and can involve medical underwriting outside your one-time open enrollment window.
Common questions about Medicare Open Enrollment
Do I have to switch my plan during Open Enrollment?
No. If your plan still covers your drugs and doctors at a cost you are comfortable with, you can keep it and it renews automatically. The point of reviewing is to make sure that is still true for 2027.
What happens if I do nothing during AEP?
Your current plan renews for 2027 with whatever changes are listed in your ANOC. If your plan is being discontinued and you do nothing, you may lose that coverage and return to Original Medicare without a drug plan, which can trigger a late penalty.
When do my Open Enrollment changes take effect?
Any change made between October 15 and December 7 starts January 1, 2027.
Can I switch after December 7?
Usually only through the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31), which lets you make one change if you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, or through a Special Enrollment Period if you qualify.
Does reviewing my plan cost anything?
No. Comparing plans is free, whether you do it at Medicare.gov or with a licensed advocate. You never pay to enroll in a plan.
Not sure whether your plan is still the best fit for 2027? A licensed Medicare Advocate will review your current coverage, compare it against the plans in your area, and handle the switch if a better one exists, at no cost. Give us a call before December 7.