Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 7: 8 Things Seniors and Caregivers Should Check Before Keeping a 2027 Plan

Medicare’s annual open enrollment period ends Dec. 7, and the plan that worked this year may cost more, cover less or disappear entirely in 2027. Changes chosen by the deadline take effect Jan. 1.

Medicare urges people to review changes to their costs and coverage each fall instead of letting a plan simply roll over. This year there are more reasons than usual, from a higher cap on drug costs to new negotiated prices for 15 widely used medications, according to Medicare’s own 2027 “What’s New & Changing” fact sheet. Here is a checklist for seniors, people with disabilities who have Medicare, and the family members who help them.

1. Is your plan still being offered in 2027?

Start with the mail. Insurers send an Annual Notice of Change each fall, and members of plans that are ending get a separate letter. KFF estimates 4.3 million people will lose their Medicare Advantage or Part D plan on Dec. 31. If you are one of them, you have until the end of February to pick a new plan, but choosing by Dec. 7 avoids a gap in coverage.

2. How much will your drugs cost next year?

The Part D out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400 in 2027, up from $2,100 this year, according to Medicare.gov. Once your spending on covered drugs reaches that amount, you pay nothing more for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year. The maximum deductible a drug plan can charge also rises, to $700 from $615.

Enter every medication, with the dose, into Medicare’s Plan Finder at Medicare.gov. The tool estimates your total yearly cost, including premiums, in each plan available where you live. Check that your preferred pharmacy is in network, since prices can differ sharply between pharmacies.

3. Is one of your medications on the new negotiated price list?

Negotiated Medicare prices for 15 more Part D drugs take effect Jan. 1, 2027, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The list includes Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy; the inhalers Trelegy Ellipta and Breo Ellipta; the diabetes drugs Tradjenta and Janumet; Xtandi for prostate cancer; Ibrance for breast cancer; and Linzess, Xifaxan, Vraylar, Pomalyst, Ofev, Calquence, Austedo and Otezla.

CMS estimates people with Medicare drug coverage will save about $685 million in out-of-pocket costs once these prices apply. What you personally pay still depends on your plan’s design, so Medicare advises calling your plan to ask how the new prices affect your copays.

4. Could you qualify for help paying for drugs?

Medicare’s Extra Help program lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays for people with limited income and resources. People who have full Medicaid, get help from their state with Part B premiums or receive Supplemental Security Income qualify automatically. Others can apply through Social Security, and can apply for state Medicare Savings Programs at the same time.

Medicare’s 2027 fact sheet also describes a new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. People with Part D coverage who are not already getting certain GLP-1 drugs covered, and who meet other requirements, can get those drugs for weight loss with a $50 copay for a one-month supply. Details are at Medicare.gov/glp1bridge.

5. Are your doctors and hospitals still in network?

Medicare Advantage networks change every year. Call your doctors’ offices and ask directly whether they will take your plan in 2027, rather than relying only on online directories. If you use traditional Medicare, Medicare’s guidance is to confirm your providers accept Medicare, since it typically does not pay for care from doctors who have opted out.

6. Do discount coupons count toward your Medicare limits?

Not always. Medicare’s fact sheet notes that people can compare plan prices with cash prices on TrumpRx.gov, a federal coupon site. But when you use TrumpRx or another discount card instead of your Medicare coverage, that purchase does not count toward your Part D deductible or the $2,400 out-of-pocket cap. For people who take expensive drugs, that difference matters.

7. What else is new for 2027?

• Telehealth from home remains available under traditional Medicare through Dec. 31, 2027, for services such as caregiver training and speech therapy.
• Medicare Advantage plans may process prior authorization requests electronically starting Jan. 1, 2027.
• The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program can now be attended in person or online.
• Medicare.gov accounts can now be accessed through ID.me, CLEAR or Login.gov.

8. Where can you get free, unbiased help?

Every state runs a State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP, with trained counselors who do not sell insurance. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227); TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Be cautious with unsolicited calls offering plan changes, and review your Medicare Summary Notices for services you did not receive. Medicare says suspected fraud can be reported through Medicare.gov/fraud.

Key Takeaways

• Medicare open enrollment runs through Dec. 7; changes take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
• The Part D out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400 in 2027, and the maximum drug plan deductible rises to $700.
• Negotiated prices for 15 more drugs, including Ozempic and Trelegy Ellipta, take effect Jan. 1.
• Drugs bought with discount coupons instead of Medicare coverage do not count toward the cap. Free help is available from SHIP counselors and 1-800-MEDICARE.

Frequently Asked Questions