Medicare’s fall Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. During that window, you can change eligible Medicare coverage for 2027; a change generally takes effect January 1, 2027, if the plan receives your enrollment request by December 7. Which choices are available depends on your coverage now.
What you can change during fall Open Enrollment
Medicare’s annual fall enrollment period is October 15–December 7. For the 2026 period, you can make changes for coverage beginning in 2027. Medicare.gov explains the annual window and available changes.
- If you have Medicare Advantage: You can join a different Medicare Advantage plan, switch to Original Medicare, or leave Medicare Advantage for another available coverage option.
- If you have Original Medicare and a standalone Part D plan: You can change your Part D plan. You can also join a Medicare Advantage plan if one is available to you and you meet its enrollment requirements.
- If you have Original Medicare without Part D: You may be able to join a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage, or make another change allowed for your situation.
Plan availability and enrollment eligibility depend on where you live and your circumstances. Use Medicare’s enrollment-period guidance to check which period applies to the change you want.
How to compare plans before switching
Compare the coverage you expect to use, not just the monthly premium. Medicare recommends reviewing plan costs and coverage because they vary by plan and can change from year to year. Start comparing 2027 options on October 1, 2026, using the official Medicare Plan Compare tool.
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- Premiums: Check the plan premium as well as any applicable Part B premium.
- Cost sharing: Compare deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for the care you expect to receive.
- Out-of-pocket limit: For Medicare Advantage, review the plan’s limit for covered medical services and understand what expenses are outside it.
- Doctors and facilities: Confirm that your clinicians and hospitals participate in the plan’s network. If you may go out of network, check the plan’s rules and costs.
- Prescriptions: Check that each medication is covered and what you would pay at a pharmacy you use.
- Location and benefits: Confirm that the plan serves your address and that its covered services fit your needs.
For a broader comparison of Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, see Medicare’s coverage comparison. A lower premium by itself does not establish that a plan will cost less overall or suit your care needs.
What to check if you leave Medicare Advantage
If you switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, make a separate decision about prescription coverage: you may need to enroll in a standalone Part D plan. You may also want a Medigap policy to help with certain costs Original Medicare does not cover. Medigap enrollment rights and timing are different from Medicare’s plan Open Enrollment dates, and eligibility to buy a policy is not guaranteed in every situation. Check the rules that apply to you before making the switch. Medicare’s Open Enrollment guidance includes a note about Medigap.
When the change takes effect
For a fall 2026 enrollment change to start January 1, 2027, the plan must receive your enrollment request by December 7, 2026. Do not wait until the last day if you can avoid it; allow time to confirm your choice and submit the request correctly. Keep a record of the plan and the date you submitted it, and review any confirmation you receive.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How fall Open Enrollment differs from the January–March period
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is a separate window, running January 1–March 31. It is only for people already enrolled in Medicare Advantage. During it, they can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare. It does not let someone with Original Medicare switch into Medicare Advantage, and it is not a period for changing a standalone Part D plan. See Medicare’s enrollment-period table for the distinctions.
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A practical checklist for choosing
- Write down your current Medicare coverage, including whether you have Medicare Advantage, Original Medicare, and Part D.
- List your doctors, facilities, prescriptions, and expected care for 2027.
- Starting October 1, compare plans available for your address in Medicare Plan Compare and verify costs, networks, drug coverage, and benefits.
- If you are considering Original Medicare after Medicare Advantage, check Part D options and your Medigap eligibility before you enroll in a new plan.
- Submit the enrollment request by December 7, 2026, and confirm that it was received.
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