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Medicare Open Enrollment 2027 Changes: What to Know Before Dec. 7

By Candid Wellness Reviews Editorial · November 2, 2026

Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026, and changes you make take effect January 1, 2027. The biggest confirmed 2027 change is that the yearly limit on what you pay out of pocket for covered Part D drugs rises from $2,100 to $2,400, and the highest allowed Part D deductible rises from $615 to $700. As of November 2, 2026, CMS had not yet announced the 2027 Part B premium or deductible.

This article is for general information and is not insurance, financial or medical advice. Rules and amounts come from the official sources linked below and can change.

If you have Medicare, the next few weeks matter. Medicare Open Enrollment is your yearly chance to look over your health and drug coverage and decide whether to keep it or make a change for 2027. Here is what the official sources say has changed, what has not been announced yet, and where to get free help.

When does Medicare Open Enrollment end?

Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from October 15, 2026, to December 7, 2026, according to CMS, the federal agency that runs Medicare. Changes you make during this window take effect on January 1, 2027. Medicare.gov notes that the plan must get your request to join by December 7.

Good to know: CMS says people who want to keep their current Medicare coverage generally do not need to re-enroll. Still, plans can change their costs and covered drugs every year, so it is worth a look.

What can you change during Open Enrollment?

According to Medicare's official enrollment periods fact sheet, between October 15 and December 7 you can:

• Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (or add or drop drug coverage).
• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan, or from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.
• Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare drug plan (Part D) if you have Original Medicare.

What changes in Medicare in 2027?

Here are the changes CMS and Medicare.gov have officially published so far.

1. The Part D out-of-pocket cap goes up to $2,400

Medicare drug coverage has a yearly limit on what you pay out of pocket. Per Medicare.gov, once your out-of-pocket spending on covered Part D drugs reaches $2,100 in 2026 ($2,400 in 2027), you automatically move to "catastrophic coverage" and pay nothing out of pocket for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year. The same page says no Medicare drug plan may have a deductible higher than $700 in 2027 ($615 in 2026), and some plans have no deductible at all. CMS set both amounts in its April 6, 2026 rate announcement.

2. New negotiated prices for 15 more drugs

CMS says negotiated Medicare prices for 15 more Part D drugs go into effect on January 1, 2027. The list includes Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy, Trelegy Ellipta, Xtandi, Ibrance, Linzess, Janumet, Tradjenta and others. In its fact sheet, CMS estimates that people with Medicare drug coverage would save about $685 million in out-of-pocket costs in total under the standard benefit design. What you personally pay will still depend on your plan.

3. Plan premiums, on average

In its September 28, 2026 announcement, CMS projected that the average monthly Medicare Advantage premium will go from $14.37 in 2026 to $12.00 in 2027, and the average stand-alone drug plan premium will go from $35.09 to $36. These are national averages. Your own premium can be higher or lower, which is one more reason to compare.

4. Insulin stays at $35 a month

Medicare.gov says the cost of a one-month supply of each Part B- or Part D-covered insulin product is no more than $35, and you don't have to pay a deductible for insulin.

What is the Medicare Part B premium for 2027?

CMS had not announced the 2027 Part B premium or deductible as of November 2, 2026. We checked the CMS newsroom, and no 2027 Part A or Part B premium announcement was posted. You may see "projected" numbers online. Those are estimates, not official amounts, so we are not listing them here.

For reference, CMS announced the 2026 amounts on November 14, 2025: a standard Part B premium of $202.90 a month, a $283 Part B deductible, and a $1,736 Part A hospital deductible. We will update this article when the 2027 numbers are official.

Key Medicare numbers: 2026 vs. 2027

Sources: Medicare.gov Part D costs, CMS 2026 premiums fact sheet, CMS September 28, 2026 press release.

How do you compare plans on Medicare.gov?

The official tool is the Medicare Plan Finder. CMS says it was updated with 2027 plan information by October 1, 2026, and it lets you compare Original Medicare, drug plans, Medicare Advantage Plans and Medigap policies. A simple way to use it:

1. Gather your Medicare card, a list of your prescriptions (name, dose, how often), and your preferred pharmacy.
2. Read the "Annual Notice of Change" your current plan mailed you. It lists what changes for 2027.
3. Enter your ZIP code and your drugs in Plan Finder. Look at the yearly estimated total, not just the monthly premium.
4. Check that your doctors and hospitals are in the plan's network if you are looking at Medicare Advantage.
5. Look at the star ratings. CMS posted the 2027 Star Ratings on Plan Finder for this Open Enrollment.

You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), which CMS says is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

Where can you get free, unbiased help?

Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP. Medicare.gov says SHIPs are not connected to any insurance company or health plan and provide free, personalized counseling to you and your family. A SHIP counselor can walk through your options with you. Find your local SHIP at shiphelp.org. If you would rather not search online, 1-800-MEDICARE can give you your state's SHIP number.

What if you miss the December 7 deadline?

You still have some options. Per Medicare's enrollment periods fact sheet:

• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (January 1 to March 31): If you are already in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can make one change. You can switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan, or drop it and go back to Original Medicare (and then join a Medicare drug plan). This period does not let you switch from Original Medicare into Medicare Advantage, or switch drug plans if you have Original Medicare.
• Special Enrollment Periods: Certain life events may let you make changes at other times. Medicare.gov lists examples like moving, losing other coverage, getting Medicaid or getting Extra Help. If you have Medicaid or Extra Help, you can make changes to your drug coverage once a calendar month. There is also a 5-star Special Enrollment Period if a plan with a 5-star rating is available in your area.

Is there help paying for Medicare if your income is limited?

Yes. CMS says only about half of eligible people are enrolled in Medicare Savings Programs.

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are run by your state. They can help pay your Part B premium, and some also pay deductibles, coinsurance and copays. For example, the 2026 monthly income limit for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program is $1,350 for an individual and $1,824 for a married couple, with higher limits for the other programs. Medicare.gov says some states don't count certain income or resources, so you may qualify even if you are over these limits. You apply through your state. Our list of benefits has a short section on help paying your Medicare premium (some other items on that list are from companies that pay us).

Extra Help lowers Part D drug costs. You get it automatically if you have full Medicaid, an MSP, or SSI; otherwise you can apply through Social Security. The 2026 limits are $23,940 in income and $18,090 in resources for an individual ($32,460 and $36,100 for a married couple). Medicare.gov says that in 2027, people with Extra Help pay a $0 plan premium, a $0 deductible, and up to $5.80 for each generic or $14.40 for each brand-name drug at participating pharmacies. You can apply any time your income or resources change, and your local SHIP can help you apply for free.

Looking for other ways to stretch your budget? See our list of benefits and savings for people 60+; some items on that list are from companies that pay us.

A simple checklist before December 7

• Read your plan's Annual Notice of Change.
• Check your drugs, doses and pharmacy in Medicare Plan Finder.
• If you use Medicare Advantage, confirm your doctors are still in network for 2027.
• Call your local SHIP if anything is confusing.
• If your income is limited, ask your state about Medicare Savings Programs and apply for Extra Help.

Taking an hour now may help you avoid surprises in January. Every situation is different, so check the numbers for your own plan and drugs before you decide.