2027 Medicare Plan Details Arrive October 1: How to Get Ready for Open Enrollment
Every fall, Medicare plans update their benefits, costs and provider networks for the coming year. For 2027, you can start reviewing plan details on October 1. That's an important date, but it isn't the day you can make changes. Here's how the fall timeline works and what you can do now so your review goes quickly.
October 1 vs. October 15: What's the Difference?
October 1: 2027 plan details become available to review. You can compare your options, but you can't enroll in a new plan yet.
October 15 – December 7: Medicare Open Enrollment. This is when you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, change drug plans, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
January 1, 2027: Any change you make takes effect. Your new plan must receive your enrollment request by December 7.
The two weeks between October 1 and October 15 are a good time to get organized, so you aren't making a rushed decision in December.
Step 1: Make a List of Your Doctors
Write down every doctor you see, including specialists, plus the hospital and any clinics you prefer. Medicare Advantage networks can change from one year to the next, so a doctor who's in network this year may not be next year. Checking your providers is the first thing I do in every review. A plan that looks good on paper won't help you if your doctors aren't in it.
Step 2: Write Down Your Prescriptions and Pharmacy
List each medication with its dose and how often you take it, and note the pharmacy you use. Drug coverage and preferred pharmacies can change each year. An accurate list lets us check how your medications will be covered in 2027.
Step 3: Find Your Annual Notice of Change Letter
If you have a Medicare Advantage or drug plan, your plan should have mailed you an Annual Notice of Change in September. It explains what's changing in your current plan for 2027. If you haven't opened it yet, my recent post on what to check in your Medicare plan letter walks you through it. Keep the letter handy for your review.
Step 4: Think About What's Changed for You
Your needs may have shifted this year. Maybe you've added a specialist, you plan to travel more, or your budget looks different. Jot down anything you'd like your coverage to handle better in 2027. Those notes help narrow down which options are worth comparing.
If You Have a Medigap Policy
Open Enrollment works differently for Medigap. Medigap policies don't change during Open Enrollment. If you leave Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare, you may have to answer health questions to buy a Medigap policy. In Idaho, the birthday rule gives Medigap policyholders a 63-day window, starting on their birthday, to switch to a policy with the same or fewer benefits without answering health questions. You can read more in my Medicare FAQ. If you're thinking about switching, let's talk before you make a move.
Expect More Mail and Phone Calls
Around Open Enrollment, many people with Medicare get a flood of mailers, ads and calls. Take your time. Don't share your Medicare number with anyone you didn't contact yourself, and don't feel pressured to decide on the spot.
Let's Review Your 2027 Options Together
As an independent Medicare broker in Meridian, I work with several insurance companies and can compare Medicare plan types side by side with you. I help people across the Treasure Valley, and most reviews happen by phone. My help costs you nothing.
Once you've gathered your lists, call or text me at (208) 963-0333 to set up your 2027 review.
*We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 36 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
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