Free guide · Open Enrollment
Your 2027 Medicare Cheat Sheet
Every fall, Medicare plans change their costs, drug lists and doctor networks for the new year. The letter your plan sends you, the Annual Notice of Change, is easy to set aside. But a plan that worked well this year can cost you more next year.
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This one-page cheat sheet puts the 2027 changes in plain English, with the dates to circle and a simple to-do list so you can review your coverage with confidence.
What's inside
- The three dates to circle: Open Enrollment (Oct 15 – Dec 7), January 1, and Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (Jan 1 – Mar 31)
- The 2027 changes to drug costs, including the yearly out-of-pocket cap and the Part D deductible
- Which drugs have new negotiated prices
- What's happening with Part B premiums, telehealth and Social Security
- A 3-step checklist to finish before December 7
Key things to know
Open Enrollment runs October 15 – December 7
This is your yearly chance to review your Medicare Advantage or drug plan and switch if something better fits. Changes you make take effect January 1.
A yearly cap on drug costs
For 2027, the most you'll pay out of pocket for covered Part D drugs is $2,400 for the year, up from $2,100 in 2026. Plans can charge a deductible of up to $700.
Lower prices on more drugs
Fifteen more drugs have Medicare-negotiated prices, including Ozempic/Wegovy, Trelegy, Breo, Janumet, Tradjenta and Linzess. What you pay still depends on your plan.
Read your Annual Notice of Change
It's the letter or email from your plan showing what's changing for you next year. Then check that your doctors and prescriptions are still covered, and at what cost.
Common questions
When can I change my Medicare plan for 2027?
During Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7. If you're on a Medicare Advantage plan, you also get one more chance to switch between January 1 and March 31.
Do I have to do anything if I'm happy with my plan?
If you do nothing, most plans renew automatically. It's still worth checking your Annual Notice of Change, because premiums, drug costs and doctor networks can change from year to year.
Is the Part B premium going up in 2027?
The 2027 Part B premium is projected to rise. Medicare usually announces the official amount in November, and the cheat sheet notes the projected figures until then.
Who it's for: Anyone on Medicare who wants to know what's different next year before Open Enrollment closes on December 7.
