Medicare Annual Enrollment: A Guide to Reviewing Your Coverage for 2027

Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes made during this period generally take effect January 1, 2027.

Whether you are happy with your coverage or considering a change, this is a good time to check that your plan still fits your doctors, prescriptions, healthcare needs, and budget. The plan must receive your enrollment request by December 7.

An annual review helps uncover tradeoffs while there is still time to act.

How many people does this affect?

Medicare serves tens of millions of Americans. The 2026 Medicare Trustees Report estimates that 69.3 million people had Medicare in 2025, including 62.2 million people age 65 and older and 7.1 million people with disabilities. For beneficiaries with Medicare Advantage or prescription drug coverage, an annual review is a sensible habit - even when the eventual decision is to keep their current coverage.

What can you change during annual enrollment?

Depending on your eligibility and current coverage, you can:

Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.

Move from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.

Leave Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare.

Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

Returning to Original Medicare requires careful planning. You may need a separate prescription drug plan, and buying Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) involves separate eligibility rules. Annual enrollment does not automatically guarantee that you can purchase a Medigap policy without medical underwriting. Review your options before leaving existing coverage.

If you are enrolling in Medicare Part A or Part B for the first time, your enrollment dates may be different. Do not assume you should wait until October.

Do you need to re-enroll every year?

Usually, no. Medicare Advantage and Part D coverage generally continues automatically when the plan remains available and you remain eligible. Read any notices from your insurer, especially if your plan is ending or your coverage will change.

Keeping the same plan can be a reasonable decision. The purpose of a review is to understand next year's coverage before you need to use it.

Your annual enrollment timeline

When	What to do
September	Read your plan's Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which explains changes for the coming year. Current members generally should receive it by September 30.
Early October	Gather your medication list, doctors' names, current insurance information, and questions. Schedule a coverage review.
Oct 15 – Nov	Compare your current coverage with available alternatives. Check the details that affect your care and costs.
Before Dec 7	Make your decision and submit any enrollment request. Allow time to resolve missing information.
December	If you changed plans, watch for confirmation, membership cards, and instructions.
January 1, 2027	Your new coverage generally begins. Check that your doctors and pharmacy have the correct insurance information.

What should you review?

Start with the services you actually use.

Your doctors and hospitals. Check whether your primary care doctor, specialists, and preferred hospital participate in the specific plan you are considering. A provider accepting an insurance company does not necessarily mean that provider participates in every plan the company offers.

Your prescriptions. Check each medication, its dosage, coverage restrictions, and estimated cost at your preferred pharmacy.

Your total costs. Compare monthly premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. For Medicare Advantage, also review the annual limit on out-of-pocket spending for covered medical services.

Your access to care. Understand referral requirements, prior authorization, and coverage when you travel or receive care outside the network.

Additional benefits. If dental, vision, hearing, or other benefits matter to you, check eligibility, limits, and participating providers. Medicare Advantage plan types differ in their network and access rules.

A simple example

Example

Imagine Maria likes her current plan and wants to keep her cardiologist. During her review, she discovers that the cardiologist will no longer participate next year. Another plan includes the cardiologist, but one of Maria's prescriptions would cost more. She needs to compare both issues before deciding. An annual review helps uncover those tradeoffs while there is still time to act.

How to prepare for an agent appointment

Have these items ready:

Your current plan information and any notices about next year's coverage.

A list of prescriptions, including dosage and how often you take them.

Your preferred doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies.

Any expected surgery, treatment, or other healthcare needs.

Questions about costs, travel, or difficulties with your current coverage.

You can also invite a family member or trusted caregiver to join the conversation.

How Coastal Pacific Insurance Group can help

Coastal Pacific Insurance Group offers coverage reviews with a licensed insurance agent in person, over the phone, or by video appointment.

In person

Review documents together at an arranged office appointment or, where available, a scheduled home visit.

By phone

Discuss your coverage and questions without traveling.

By video

Review information on screen and include a family member joining from another location.

Our agents can help you check doctors and prescriptions, explain costs and coverage rules, compare the plans we represent, and assist with enrollment if you choose to make a change. Available plans depend on your location, eligibility, and our carrier appointments.

Before a personal Medicare plan discussion, we will document the types of coverage you agree to discuss through a Scope of Appointment (SOA). This agreement does not obligate you to enroll.

Request a Medicare coverage review:

clientservices@coastalpacificinsurance.com

Coastal Pacific Insurance Group is an insurance agency and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.