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With Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 running from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2026, Caregiving spoke with Robin Dawson, an independent broker and licensed health insurance agent, about everything to know for the upcoming season.
What is Open Enrollment?
Open Enrollment is an annual window when Medicare beneficiaries can change their coverage for the upcoming year, including Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D).
Why might I want to change plans?
Your needs may change, but plans can also change — or disappear altogether. Private insurers that offer Part C and Part D send an Annual Notice of Change outlining updates to coverage, costs, benefits, and provider networks.
Dawson stresses the importance of reviewing those notices closely. “The last few years, we’ve seen a lot of volatility in that space,” she says, noting shifts tied to financial risk to insurers, increases in drug spending, and legislative changes.
Which drug plan is right for me?
Dawson advises clients to create an account on Medicare.gov and save their medications using the site’s “drug list” tool. Once new plans are published, people can compare how changes affect their costs.
“When they read their notice, they might see that their insurance company is changing a tier of the medication or that the cost for the tieris going up,” Dawson says. Brokers, SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Programs)counselors, and 1-800-Medicare can help them interpret the financial impact of changes outlined in their Annual Notice of Change.
When can I see the new plans for next year?
Look for 2027 plans on medicare.gov Oct. 1.
