Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: A Friendly Guide for Seniors and Their Families
Fall brings cooler mornings and one important date: Medicare Open Enrollment. Every year from October 15 to December 7, people with Medicare can look over their health and drug coverage and decide whether to keep it or make a change for the new year.
Whether you have Medicare or you're helping a parent, here are the basics: what you can change, what to look for, and where to find free help you can trust.
What Is Medicare Open Enrollment?
Open Enrollment is the one time each year when everyone with Medicare can make changes to their health and drug coverage for the following year. Any change you make takes effect on January 1, 2027. The plan must receive your enrollment request by December 7.
If you're happy with your current coverage, you don't need to do anything. It will continue automatically.
What Can You Change?
What you can do depends on the coverage you have now. During Open Enrollment, you can:
Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan, or from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.
Join, drop, or switch Medicare Advantage Plans, with or without drug coverage.
Join, drop, or switch a Medicare drug plan (Part D) if you have Original Medicare.
If you move from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, keep in mind that you may need to join a separate drug plan. You may also want Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) to help with out-of-pocket costs, but there are limits on when you can buy it. It's wise to check your Medigap options before you make the switch.
A Change Worth Knowing About for 2027
Medicare drug coverage has a yearly cap on what you pay out of pocket for covered prescription drugs. For 2027, that cap is $2,400, up from $2,100 in 2026. Once your costs for covered drugs reach that amount, you pay nothing more for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year.
Premiums, deductibles, and covered drugs still vary by plan, so comparing is still worthwhile.
Why Your "Annual Notice of Change" Matters
If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Part D drug plan, your plan sends you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) each fall. It should have arrived by now. It may come by mail or email, depending on how you receive plan documents.
It's easy to set aside, but it's one of the most useful papers you'll get all year. It explains what will change in January, such as:
Monthly premiums, deductibles, and copays
Which prescription drugs are covered, and at what cost
Whether your doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies are still in the plan's network
Changes to other benefits
Plans change from year to year, and so do health needs. If you haven't received your ANOC, contact your plan and ask for a copy.
Tips for Families Helping a Loved One
A little preparation goes a long way:
Start early. Sit down together in October, well before December 7.
Gather the essentials. Have the Medicare card, current plan information, the ANOC letter, and a list of all prescriptions (with doses) ready.
List doctors and pharmacies. Write down the providers your loved one wants to keep so you can check each plan's network.
Think about the past year. New diagnoses, medications, or a move can affect which plan fits best.
Keep your loved one at the center. It's their coverage, and their preferences matter most.
Take notes. Write down who you spoke with, when, and what they said.
Where to Get Free, Unbiased Help
You don't have to do this alone. These resources are free:
Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov/plan-compare lets you compare plans in your area side by side.
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) connects you with a real person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except some federal holidays. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, unbiased, one-on-one counseling from trained local experts. Find your local SHIP at shiphelp.org.
A Word of Caution About Scam Calls
Scammers get busier around Open Enrollment. They may pretend to be from Medicare, sound professional, and even know some of your personal information.
Keep these reminders from the Federal Trade Commission in mind:
Medicare won't call, text, or email you out of the blue asking for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank information. They also won't try to sell you anything.
Medicare cards are free and mailed to you automatically. Anyone asking you to pay for a "new" card is running a scam.
Don't trust caller ID. It can be faked to show "Medicare." If you're unsure, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself.
Report scams to 1-800-MEDICARE, and then to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your local Senior Medicare Patrol can also help.
It's always okay to hang up and call back using a number you know is real.
We're Here to Help
At Webwood Assisted Living, we know Medicare decisions can feel like a lot. If you're a resident or family member and aren't sure where to start, please reach out to our staff. We're always happy to help you find resources so you can make the choice that's right for you or your loved one.
Disclaimer: Webwood Assisted Living does not sell insurance and does not provide insurance, Medicare, or financial advice. This article is for general information only. Please speak with a licensed insurance professional, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), or 1-800-MEDICARE before making decisions about your coverage.
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