Medicare Enrollment 2027: Which Enrollment Period Applies to You?

Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 to December 7

During Medicare Open Enrollment, people with Medicare can join, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage coverage. People in Original Medicare can join, drop, or switch Medicare drug plans. Changes generally take effect January 1 of the following year.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 to March 31

If you are already enrolled in Medicare Advantage, you can generally make one change during this period: switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare and add a stand-alone Part D plan.

Initial Enrollment Period

Your Initial Enrollment Period generally spans seven months around your 65th birthday. Timing rules can differ if you qualify for Medicare before 65 or delay Part B because of qualifying employer coverage.

Special Enrollment Periods

Special Enrollment Periods may apply after events such as moving, losing other coverage, gaining or losing Medicaid or Extra Help, or certain other qualifying changes. The allowed action and deadline depend on the event.

2027 Part D cost parameters

For 2027, the defined standard Part D deductible is $700 and the annual out-of-pocket threshold is $2,400. Individual plan premiums, formularies, pharmacy networks and cost sharing vary.

What to review before enrolling

• Doctors, specialists, hospitals and pharmacies.
• Every prescription, including dosage and frequency.
• Premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance and maximum out-of-pocket limits.
• Provider networks, formularies and prior authorization rules.
• Any Medicaid, Extra Help, VA, employer or retiree coverage.