2027 changes and enrollment

2027 Medicare enrollment periods

Prepare for Medicare Open Enrollment from October 15 through December 7, 2026, and understand the other enrollment windows that may apply to you.

Get My 2027 Medicare Review See enrollment dates

Start with your situation

Which Medicare enrollment path sounds most like you?

Each enrollment period has a different purpose. For the 2027 annual review, begin comparing your current coverage with available options on October 1, then confirm your exact dates and eligibility with Medicare or Social Security.

Interactive starting-point finder

What are you trying to do?

Choose the situation closest to yours. This educational tool identifies a place to start—not a final eligibility decision.

Choose a situation to see your starting point.

Then confirm the exact dates and eligibility with Medicare or Social Security before changing coverage.

Review official Medicare guidance

Enrollment periods at a glance

Compare the timing before you make a change.

Different periods cover different actions. Your eligibility, effective date, and available plans still require individual confirmation.

Enrollment period	Who it helps	Timing	What you can do	Typical coverage start
Initial Enrollment Period	People first becoming eligible for Medicare, usually around age 65.	Seven months: three months before your birthday month, the birthday month, and three months after.	Sign up for Part A and Part B and choose Medicare health or drug coverage when eligible.	Varies by the month you enroll; confirm your personal start date.
2027 Medicare Open Enrollment	People with Medicare reviewing health and drug coverage for 2027.	October 15–December 7, 2026.	Join, drop, or switch Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage.	January 1, 2027, when Medicare receives the request by December 7.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment	People already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.	January 1–March 31, 2027.	Make one change to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.	The first day of the month after the plan receives the request.
Special Enrollment Period	People with a qualifying event, such as moving or losing certain coverage.	Varies by the event. Job-based Part B timing may include an eight-month window after employment or coverage ends.	Enroll or change coverage as allowed by the specific qualifying event.	Varies; confirm the deadline and start date for your event.
General Enrollment Period	People who missed Part B or premium-Part A enrollment and do not qualify for another period.	January 1–March 31 each year.	Sign up for Part B or premium-Part A; a late-enrollment penalty may apply.	The first day of the month after enrollment.
Medigap Open Enrollment	People age 65 or older who are newly enrolled in Part B.	A one-time six-month period beginning the first month you have Part B and are 65 or older.	Apply for any Medigap policy sold in your state without medical underwriting.	Generally the first of the month after applying, unless you request another date.

Initial Enrollment Period Seven months: three months before your birthday month, the birthday month, and three months after. Details

Who it helps: People first becoming eligible for Medicare, usually around age 65.
What you can do: Sign up for Part A and Part B and choose Medicare health or drug coverage when eligible.
Typical coverage start: Varies by the month you enroll; confirm your personal start date.

2027 Medicare Open Enrollment October 15–December 7, 2026. Details

Who it helps: People with Medicare reviewing health and drug coverage for 2027.
What you can do: Join, drop, or switch Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage.
Typical coverage start: January 1, 2027, when Medicare receives the request by December 7.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment January 1–March 31, 2027. Details

Who it helps: People already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.
What you can do: Make one change to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.
Typical coverage start: The first day of the month after the plan receives the request.

Special Enrollment Period Varies by the event. Job-based Part B timing may include an eight-month window after employment or coverage ends. Details

Who it helps: People with a qualifying event, such as moving or losing certain coverage.
What you can do: Enroll or change coverage as allowed by the specific qualifying event.
Typical coverage start: Varies; confirm the deadline and start date for your event.

General Enrollment Period January 1–March 31 each year. Details

Who it helps: People who missed Part B or premium-Part A enrollment and do not qualify for another period.
What you can do: Sign up for Part B or premium-Part A; a late-enrollment penalty may apply.
Typical coverage start: The first day of the month after enrollment.

Medigap Open Enrollment A one-time six-month period beginning the first month you have Part B and are 65 or older. Details

Who it helps: People age 65 or older who are newly enrolled in Part B.
What you can do: Apply for any Medigap policy sold in your state without medical underwriting.
Typical coverage start: Generally the first of the month after applying, unless you request another date.

Medigap Open Enrollment is a separate, one-time protection and is not the yearly Medicare Open Enrollment Period.

First time

Initial Enrollment Period

The window around your first Medicare eligibility. Confirm whether enrollment is automatic or whether you need to apply. Open official resource

What to check

For most people turning 65, this seven-month period begins three months before the birthday month and ends three months after it. Coverage start dates depend on when you enroll.

Annual review

2027 Open Enrollment: October 15–December 7, 2026

Review your Annual Notice of Change, drugs, providers, pharmacies, costs, and benefits for 2027. Medicare says changes requested by December 7 take effect January 1. Open official resource

What to check

You can join, drop, or switch Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage. Compare the complete plan—not only the premium—before submitting a change.

Life change

Special Enrollment Period

A move, loss of other coverage, or another qualifying event may create a limited opportunity to change coverage. Open official resource

What to check

The available changes and deadline depend on the qualifying event. Keep the notice or proof showing when your coverage or circumstances changed.

Missed timing

General Enrollment Period

If you missed your first chance for Part B, Medicare has a separate path. Confirm timing and possible penalties officially. Open official resource

What to check

The General Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31 each year. Part B or premium-Part A coverage generally begins the month after enrollment.

Review employer coverage timing Review Medicare eligibility before 65 Visit New to Medicare Review official 2027 Part D benefit amounts

When a timeline review helps

Get the timing clear before a coverage change creates a problem.

A short review is especially useful when work coverage is ending, you are considering COBRA, you have received a Medicare notice, or you need to make a plan change after a life event.

Turning 65 while working or covered through a spouse
Retiring, leaving work, or considering COBRA
Moving, losing other coverage, or becoming eligible for Extra Help
Receiving a Medicare, Social Security, or employer coverage notice

Bring these details

Bring these three things.

They make an enrollment-timing conversation much faster and clearer.

Your current coverage informationInclude the card, plan name, and expected end date if you have one.
Any Medicare or Social Security noticeThe notice often identifies the date or decision that needs attention.
Your employer benefits contactFor active work coverage, confirm who pays first and when the coverage changes.

2027 changes to review

Three 2027 numbers and notices to know.

Use the exact plan documents when they arrive to compare the details that apply to you.

$700Part D deductibleThe standard 2027 deductible. A plan may offer a lower amount, so compare the exact plan benefit.
$2,400Part D out-of-pocket capFor covered drugs. After reaching it, there is no cost sharing in the catastrophic phase.
PendingPart B premium and deductibleCMS has not released the official 2027 amounts. Income-related adjustments can make your amount higher.

Personal Medicare guidance

Need help reviewing your Medicare timeline?

Share the basic timing and coverage details. A licensed Skyline Benefit advisor will help you prepare the right next questions.

Current coverage and expected end date
Employer, COBRA, retiree, or other coverage questions
Medicare enrollment and plan-comparison questions

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Frequently asked Medicare questions

Browse all Medicare FAQs

When is Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage?

Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes requested by December 7 generally take effect January 1, 2027. Compare plans and confirm your exact eligibility before making a change.

What is the 2027 Part D deductible?

The standard Part D deductible for 2027 is $700. Some plans may use a lower deductible, so check the exact plan benefit and how it applies to your prescriptions.

What is the 2027 Part D out-of-pocket cap?

For covered Part D drugs, the 2027 out-of-pocket threshold is $2,400. After reaching that threshold, there is no cost sharing in the catastrophic phase. Formularies and coverage rules still vary by plan.

Has Medicare announced the 2027 Part B premium and deductible?

Not yet. CMS has not released the official 2027 standard Part B premium or annual deductible. We will update this guide when CMS publishes the confirmed amounts; income-related adjustments can make some people’s Part B amount higher.

What should I compare for my 2027 Medicare review?

Compare your Annual Notice of Change, doctors and hospitals, prescriptions and dosage, pharmacy, premiums, deductibles, copays, and coverage rules. Availability and costs vary by ZIP code, eligibility, and plan.

Medicare disclosure

Skyline Benefit is an independent insurance agency and is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 11 organizations which offer 58 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.