Medicare Open Enrollment 2026 Dates: What You Can Change for 2027 Coverage

Medicare open enrollment 2026 dates: the quick answer

Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage begins October 15, 2026 and ends December 7, 2026. Changes you make in this window take effect January 1, 2027.

Medicare has more than one enrollment window, and each one allows different changes. This guide starts with the fall window, then covers the January-March windows and Special Enrollment Periods.

One detail matters for the deadline: your health or drug plan must get your enrollment request by December 7. Do not wait for the last day.

What you can change during fall Open Enrollment

There are three kinds of change.

• Switch your type of coverage. You can move from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan, or from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.
• Change your Medicare Advantage Plan. You can join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan, with or without drug coverage.
• Change your Part D drug plan. If you have Original Medicare, you can join, drop, or switch a Medicare drug plan.

You can make more than one change during this window. The last choice you make before December 7 is the one that takes effect January 1.

Start with your Annual Notice of Change

Your plan sends an Annual Notice of Change by September 30. It lists changes in coverage, costs, provider networks and service area that take effect in January.

Treat it as your checklist. Read it before deciding whether to stay or switch, and look for changes that touch the things you rely on:

• Coverage changes for services you use
• Cost changes
• Whether your providers are still in the network
• Whether your plan still serves the area where you live

If you cannot find your notice, contact your plan. If you are not sure which plan changes matter for your health needs, ask your own clinician and your plan.

You can compare options with the Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov/plan-compare. It lets you compare Medicare health and drug plans, including premiums and costs. This post does not list 2027 premiums or other plan costs. Use your notice and the Plan Finder for current figures.

Missed December 7? Your options from January through March

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

This window runs January 1 through March 31 each year. It is only for people already in a Medicare Advantage Plan.

You can make one change during this period. Your choices are:

• Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan, with or without drug coverage, or
• Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan, return to Original Medicare, and join a separate Medicare drug plan.

A change made in this period takes effect the first of the month after the plan gets your request.

If you have Original Medicare, this window does not help you. You cannot use January 1 - March 31 to switch to a Medicare Advantage Plan, join a drug plan, or switch drug plans.

People who are new to Medicare Advantage can also use this period during their first 3 months of having both Part A and Part B.

Do not confuse it with the General Enrollment Period

The General Enrollment Period also runs January 1 - March 31, but it does a different job. It is for people who did not sign up for Part A and/or Part B when first eligible. Coverage starts the month after you sign up.

Signing up for Part B during the General Enrollment Period may mean a monthly late enrollment penalty if you do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Your exact situation determines whether a penalty applies, so check with Medicare directly.

Window	Dates	Who it is for	What it allows
Open Enrollment	October 15 - December 7	People with Medicare	Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage; join, drop, or switch Medicare Advantage or Part D plans
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period	January 1 - March 31	People already in a Medicare Advantage Plan	One change only
General Enrollment Period	January 1 - March 31	People who did not sign up for Part A and/or Part B when first eligible	Sign up for Part A and/or Part B

Special Enrollment Periods

Special Enrollment Periods let you change plans outside the usual windows after certain life events. Common examples include moving out of your plan's service area or losing employer or union coverage.

• You move out of your plan's service area. Your chance to switch begins when you move and continues for 2 full months after the move.
• You lose employer or union coverage (including COBRA). You can join a plan for 2 full months after the month that coverage ends.
• Your plan does not renew its Medicare contract. You can switch between December 8 and the last day of February of the following year.

The 5-star Special Enrollment Period

If a Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare drug plan, or Medicare Cost Plan with a 5-star overall rating is available where you live, you can switch to it once between December 8 and November 30 of the following year.

Read the fine print before using it. Leaving a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage for a stand-alone 5-star drug plan disenrolls you from the Medicare Advantage Plan, including its health benefits.

Other life events may also qualify, and the rules depend on your situation. Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE can tell you whether your circumstances qualify.

Free help

• Medicare Plan Finder: Medicare.gov/plan-compare
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227): available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
• Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): unbiased, one-on-one Medicare counseling at no cost. Find your local SHIP at shiphelp.org.

FAQ

When is Medicare Open Enrollment in 2026?

October 15, 2026, through December 7, 2026. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.

Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare during Open Enrollment?

Yes. Between October 15 and December 7 you can switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare, or the other way around. You can also join a separate drug plan.

What if I miss the December 7 deadline?

If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can make one change between January 1 and March 31. Otherwise you may need a Special Enrollment Period, such as after a move or losing employer coverage, or a 5-star plan in your area.

Is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period the same as the General Enrollment Period?

No. Both run January 1 - March 31. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period allows one plan change for people already in Medicare Advantage. The General Enrollment Period is for signing up for Part A and/or Part B if you missed your first chance.

Where can I get free help comparing plans?

Use the Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov/plan-compare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or contact your local SHIP for free, unbiased counseling.

Sources

• Medicare.gov — Open Enrollment
• CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) — Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs Expected to Remain Stable in 2027 (press release, Sep 28, 2026)
• Medicare.gov (CMS Product No. 11219, revised March 2026) — Understanding Medicare Advantage & Medicare Drug Plan Enrollment Periods
• Medicare.gov (CMS Product No. 12026, revised April 2026) — Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans
• Medicare.gov — Special Enrollment Periods
• Medicare.gov — When does Medicare coverage start?
• Social Security Administration — When to sign up for Medicare
• Medicare.gov (CMS Product No. 11220, September 2026) — Your Yearly Medicare Review
• SHIP Technical Assistance Center (shiphelp.org) — Local Medicare Help
• KFF — When is the open enrollment period for Medicare?
• Medicare Rights Center (Medicare Interactive) — Changing Medicare Coverage

Facts last verified: 2026-10-11

This article is general health and benefits information drawn from the official sources listed above. It is not medical advice and does not replace a conversation with your doctor or pharmacist. Medicare and Social Security figures change every year; check the official site before you decide.