Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. During this period, people with Medicare can review and change certain Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug coverage for January 1, 2027.
The best review starts before comparing premiums. Your doctors, prescriptions, pharmacies, preferred hospitals, travel patterns and tolerance for out-of-pocket costs all help determine whether your current coverage still fits. For Florida residents, county-specific plan availability makes that preparation especially important.
What can you change during Medicare Open Enrollment?
From October 15 through December 7, you can generally join, drop or switch a Medicare Advantage plan, change Medicare Advantage plans, join or change a standalone Part D prescription drug plan, or switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. An enrollment request completed during this period generally takes effect January 1, 2027.
Your available choices depend on your current coverage and eligibility. A plan change should be reviewed as a complete package because medical coverage, prescription coverage, provider access and out-of-pocket exposure can all change together.
Start with your Annual Notice of Change
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, your plan should send an Annual Notice of Change in September. This document explains changes in coverage, costs and other plan details that will take effect in January.
Do not assume that a plan with the same name will work exactly the same way next year. Read the notice and flag any change that could affect how you use your coverage.
- Monthly premium and medical copays
- Maximum out-of-pocket limit
- Prescription deductible, formulary and drug tiers
- Provider network or service-area information
- Dental, vision, hearing, transportation and other additional benefits
Confirm every doctor, specialist and hospital
Provider participation can change. If you have Medicare Advantage, verify each primary doctor, specialist, hospital and facility against the exact 2027 plan—not merely the insurance company name. One insurer may offer several plans with different networks in the same county.
If a provider is especially important, confirm participation with both the plan and the provider's office. Ask the office to check the full plan name and contract details rather than relying only on the carrier logo shown on your card.
- Primary care physician and every specialist
- Preferred hospital and health system
- Laboratory, imaging and outpatient facilities
- Durable medical equipment suppliers
Recheck prescriptions and preferred pharmacies
A Part D or Medicare Advantage plan can change its formulary, drug tiers, utilization rules and preferred pharmacy arrangements. Re-enter every current medication when comparing 2027 coverage, even if your prescriptions have not changed.
Use the exact drug name, dosage, quantity and refill frequency. Then compare costs at your actual pharmacy and any practical alternatives. A plan with a low premium can still be expensive if an important medication is not covered favorably or your pharmacy is no longer preferred.
- Formulary status and drug tier
- Deductible and estimated yearly medication cost
- Prior authorization, quantity limits or step therapy
- Retail, preferred retail and mail-order pharmacy pricing
Compare total annual cost—not only the premium
The lowest premium is not automatically the least expensive coverage. Consider how often you see doctors, the services you expect to use and what you could pay during a higher-use year.
For Medicare Advantage, compare office visits, inpatient care, outpatient procedures, diagnostic services and the plan's maximum out-of-pocket limit. For Part D, compare the premium with the deductible and projected costs for your specific prescriptions.
- Annual premiums
- Expected medical copays and coinsurance
- Estimated prescription costs
- Potential maximum out-of-pocket exposure
- Costs for services or medications not covered by the plan
Evaluate additional benefits realistically
Dental, vision, hearing, over-the-counter allowances, transportation and fitness benefits can be valuable, but they should not replace a careful review of your doctors, prescriptions and core medical costs.
Look beyond the advertised allowance. Check participating providers, service limits, reimbursement rules and how frequently you are likely to use the benefit. The best plan is the one that fits your full healthcare situation—not necessarily the one with the longest list of extras.
Why your Florida county matters
Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability is tied to service area. Someone in Broward County may have different choices from someone in Miami-Dade or Palm Beach County, even when they live only a short distance apart.
Provider networks can also differ by plan and county. South Florida residents who split time between states, travel frequently or want access to a specific health system should examine those needs before choosing coverage.
- Confirm your permanent residential address and county
- Check local doctors and hospitals using the exact plan
- Review travel and out-of-area coverage rules
- Do not assume a friend's plan is available or appropriate in your county
Medicare Open Enrollment is not Medigap Open Enrollment
The October 15 through December 7 period is primarily for Medicare Advantage and Part D decisions. It does not create a new guaranteed federal right each year to purchase or change a Medicare Supplement policy.
Your one-time federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period generally lasts six months beginning when you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. Outside that window, an insurer may use medical underwriting unless you qualify for a guaranteed-issue right or another protection applies. Before leaving Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare, confirm whether the Medigap coverage you want is actually available to you.
Do not cancel existing coverage prematurely
When a permitted Medicare Advantage or Part D change is completed correctly, the new plan generally coordinates the end of the old plan for the new coverage date. Avoid independently cancelling current coverage unless you have confirmed that doing so is necessary.
Keep enrollment confirmations and watch for your new identification card and plan materials. Verify the January 1 effective date before relying on the new coverage.
Your 2027 Medicare review checklist
Gathering the right information now makes the fall review more accurate and less stressful. Bring current information rather than last year's list whenever possible.
- Current Medicare and insurance cards
- Every doctor, specialist, hospital and facility you want to keep
- Medication names, dosages, quantities and refill frequency
- Preferred pharmacies and any mail-order preference
- Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage
- Travel plans, expected procedures and benefits you regularly use
- Questions about premiums, copays and maximum out-of-pocket costs
When should Florida residents begin reviewing 2027 coverage?
Begin organizing your providers and prescriptions before October. Once official 2027 plan information is available, compare the details that apply to your county and healthcare needs. You do not need to rush into the first available option, but waiting until the final days of enrollment can make it harder to resolve provider or prescription questions.
If your current coverage still fits, a change may not be necessary. The purpose of an annual review is to verify that conclusion with current information—not to change plans simply because the enrollment period is open.
Official sources
Medicare costs, plan details and enrollment rules can change. These government resources support the information discussed above.