Medicare Open Enrollment is officially here! If you're enrolled in Medicare, this is an important time to review your coverage, compare your options, and make sure your plan still fits your healthcare needs for the coming year.

But before you start comparing plans or responding to advertisements, take a breath. You don't have to change your Medicare plan just because Open Enrollment has started. The goal is to understand your current coverage, identify any changes, and decide whether your plan still makes sense for you.

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. During this period, eligible beneficiaries can make certain changes to their Medicare Advantage and prescription drug coverage for 2027. Changes made during this period generally take effect January 1, 2027. Medicare provides official information to help you understand your options and deadlines.

Whether you've been on Medicare for years or are still getting comfortable with how it works, here's a practical checklist to help you review your coverage with more confidence.

Why Is Medicare Open Enrollment Important?

Your Medicare plan may not stay exactly the same from one year to the next. Premiums can change. Prescription drug coverage may be different. Your doctors' network participation may change, and the benefits you rely on could be adjusted.

Your own needs can change, too. Perhaps you've started seeing a specialist, take a new medication, or expect to need more healthcare services next year.

That's why reviewing your coverage every fall is a good habit. Open Enrollment is your opportunity to check that your plan still works for your life—not simply to choose a new plan because it's being advertised.

1. Review Your Monthly Premium and Other Costs

Start with the financial side of your plan. Your premium is the amount you pay for coverage, but it isn't the only expense to consider. Depending on your plan, you may also pay deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance when you receive care.

As you review your 2027 options, ask yourself:

• Has my monthly premium changed?

• What is my deductible?

• How much do I pay for doctor visits and specialist appointments?

• What might a hospital stay cost under this plan?

• What is the plan's maximum out-of-pocket amount for covered services?

If you have Original Medicare, remember that its cost structure is different from Medicare Advantage. Original Medicare generally doesn't have an annual out-of-pocket maximum for Part A and Part B services unless you have other coverage that helps pay those costs. Medicare Advantage plans have an annual limit on covered Part A and Part B services. The goal is to understand what your coverage could cost throughout the year—not just what you pay each month.

2. Make Sure Your Doctors and Hospitals Are Still Covered

Imagine choosing a plan because it offers attractive benefits, only to discover that your preferred specialist isn't in its network. That's a surprise you want to avoid.

If you're considering Medicare Advantage, check whether your doctors, specialists, hospitals, and other healthcare providers participate in the plan for 2027.

Some Medicare Advantage plans have provider networks and service-area restrictions. Others may allow certain out-of-network care, sometimes at a higher cost. Original Medicare generally allows you to see any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare, subject to Medicare's coverage rules. Before enrolling, contact your providers and confirm their participation. Don't rely only on an old directory or assume that last year's network will stay the same.

Ask yourself:

• Can I continue seeing my primary care doctor?

• Are my specialists included?

• Is my preferred hospital in the network?

• Will I need referrals for specialist visits?

• If I travel, will I have access to the care I need?

Your plan should work with the healthcare providers you depend on.

3. Check Every Prescription You Take

Prescription drug coverage deserves special attention, especially if you take medications regularly. A plan may change its covered drug list, cost-sharing, pharmacy arrangements, or requirements from one year to the next.

Make a list of your current medications, including the dosage and how often you take each one. Then check the coverage and estimated costs under any plan you're considering.

Look at:

• Whether each medication is covered

• The drug's tier and your expected cost

• Any prior authorization or other restrictions

• Whether your preferred pharmacy is in the network

• Whether a different participating pharmacy could lower your costs

Medicare's official Plan Compare tool allows you to enter your medications and pharmacies to help estimate your monthly and yearly costs.

Don't choose a plan based on its premium alone. A plan that looks inexpensive each month may not be the most economical choice for your particular prescriptions.

And never stop or change a prescribed medication on your own because of an insurance change. Talk with your healthcare provider about any medication questions.

4. Compare the Benefits You Actually Use

Medicare Advantage plans can include additional benefits beyond Original Medicare, depending on the plan. But here's something worth remembering: a long list of benefits doesn't automatically mean a plan is right for you.

Think about what you and your family actually need. For example, you might value certain dental, vision, hearing, or other supplemental benefits. Someone else might prioritize access to specialists, predictable costs, or a particular hospital network.

Review the plan documents to understand what is included, what limitations apply, and whether you can realistically use the benefits.

Ask yourself:

• Which benefits did I use this year?

• Which benefits are important for next year?

• Are there limits, eligibility requirements, or additional costs?

• Do the benefits fit my healthcare priorities?

Focus on the coverage that matters in your everyday life, rather than making a decision based on a promotional headline.

5. Understand Your Coverage Type Before Switching

Medicare isn't a one-size-fits-all program. Before making a change, understand how your current coverage works and what the alternative would mean. Original Medicare consists of Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). You can generally see any provider who accepts Medicare, and you may consider a separate Part D plan for prescription drugs and a Medigap policy to help with certain out-of-pocket costs.

Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, is an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits through a private Medicare-approved plan. Plans have their own rules, costs, and coverage arrangements, and many include prescription drug coverage. Switching between these options can affect more than your premium. It may change your provider access, prescription arrangements, and how you pay for healthcare.

If you're considering leaving Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare, look carefully into prescription drug coverage and whether you can obtain Medigap coverage. Medigap enrollment and eligibility rules can limit when you can buy a policy without medical underwriting. Don't cancel existing coverage until you understand how the replacement coverage will work and when it begins.

6. Consider How Your Healthcare Needs Have Changed

Your Medicare plan should fit the person you are today—not just the person you were when you first enrolled. Maybe you've started seeing a specialist. Maybe you've added prescriptions, moved to another area, or begun traveling more often. Or perhaps your healthcare needs have stayed about the same.

All of these details can help guide your review. Take a few minutes to consider what you expect next year. You don't need to predict every medical expense. Simply think about your regular care, your prescriptions, your preferred providers, and any changes you already know are coming.

This is also a good time to check whether your plan's service area and rules work for your living arrangements, particularly if you spend part of the year in another state.

The best comparison is one based on your actual circumstances—not someone else's recommendation.

7. Read Your Plan's Annual Notice of Change

If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug plan, look for your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). This notice explains important changes to your plan's costs, benefits, and coverage for the following year.

Review it alongside your current plan information. Pay particular attention to anything that affects your doctors, prescriptions, premiums, deductibles, or other services you regularly use. If a change isn't clear, contact the plan and ask for an explanation before making a decision.

Even if you decide to keep your current plan, reading the notice helps you understand what to expect when the new plan year begins. Medicare recommends comparing current coverage with available options each year.

How to Compare Medicare Plans Without Feeling Overwhelmed

You don't have to compare every available plan in one sitting. Start with your current coverage, then look at alternatives that meet your needs.

A simple approach is to:

1. Gather your current plan documents and Annual Notice of Change.

2. Make a list of your medications and healthcare providers.

3. Identify the costs and benefits that matter most to you.

4. Use Medicare Plan Compare to review plans available in your area.

5. Compare estimated annual costs, drug coverage, provider access, and plan rules.

6. Ask questions about anything you don't understand.

7. Make your decision before the enrollment deadline if you decide to change plans.

Medicare also offers free, personalized counseling through State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs). These programs are independent of insurance companies and can help you understand your options. Remember, the right choice depends on your own healthcare needs and circumstances.

What Is the Deadline to Change Your Medicare Plan?

For coverage beginning in 2027, Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. During this period, you can make certain changes, including switching Medicare Advantage plans, changing prescription drug plans, or switching between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare. The changes available to you depend on your current coverage. Your new coverage generally begins January 1, 2027, as long as your enrollment request is received by the deadline.

Don't leave your review until the last few days. Give yourself time to compare options, ask questions, and make an informed decision.

Your Medicare Open Enrollment Checklist

Use this checklist as you review your coverage.

My Medicare review

• Review my Annual Notice of Change

• Compare premiums, deductibles, and other costs

• Confirm my doctors and hospitals are covered

• Check all my prescription medications

• Review pharmacy networks and drug restrictions

• Compare benefits I actually use

• Understand the differences between my current plan and alternatives

• Confirm my enrollment decision before December 7

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When does Medicare Open Enrollment end in 2026?

Medicare Open Enrollment ends December 7, 2026. Changes made during this period generally take effect January 1, 2027.

2. Do I have to change my Medicare plan every year?

No. You can generally keep your existing coverage if it continues to meet your needs. However, review your plan's costs and benefits because they may change for the new year.

3. What should I compare before switching Medicare plans?

Compare premiums, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, prescription costs, provider networks, covered benefits, and any restrictions that could affect your care.

4. Can I change from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare during Open Enrollment?

Generally, yes. During October 15–December 7, you can switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare. You may need a separate Part D drug plan, and Medigap eligibility and enrollment rules should be reviewed before making the switch.

5. Where can I compare Medicare plans?

Visit Medicare.gov Plan Compare to review plans available in your area, compare coverage, and estimate costs based on your prescriptions. You can also contact your local SHIP for free, unbiased counseling.

The Bottom Line: Make Your Medicare Decision With Confidence

Medicare Open Enrollment is an opportunity to make sure your coverage still fits your life. You don't have to switch plans just because a new option is available. You also shouldn't assume your current plan is still the best fit without checking what has changed.

Take the time to review your costs, doctors, prescriptions, benefits, and healthcare needs. If you decide to change plans, make sure you understand how the new coverage works before enrolling.

At We Know Life & Health, Dale Earp and Rachel Earp believe insurance education should make people feel more informed—not more confused. Understanding your options is an important first step toward making a decision that feels right for you.

Need help understanding your Medicare options? Reach out to We Know Life & Health to learn more about your coverage choices and get answers to your questions.