Medicare Enrollment: 3 moves to make if your plan is changing or cancelled for 2027
For tens of millions of Americans, the fall’s Medicare Annual Enrollment Period will bring big changes. That’s because over 3 million Americans are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans that have been cancelled for 2027, while millions more are currently in plans that will be changing next year.
As a result, many of the approximately 56 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plans will want to consider their options during the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2026.
If you or a loved one is in that situation, the process can often feel overwhelming. In fact, a recent eHealth survey found that 71% of Medicare beneficiaries say shopping for a new plan is confusing. For help, here are three moves to make if your current Medicare plan is changing or cancelled for 2027.
Move 1: Review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter to see whether your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan is changing or ending in 2027, including updates to costs, provider networks, or benefits like dental, vision, and hearing. If you didn't receive it, contact your insurer or check your plan's website or app. One-third of Medicare beneficiaries don't realize they should receive this letter by the end of September.
Move 2: Review your potential Medicare options, ranging from Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans. It may be tempting to not do anything if your Medicare Advantage plan is cancelled or changing, but that may leave you enrolled in Original Medicare alone and potentially exposed to significant medical expenses in the event of a major health issue. Plus, if you like having additional benefits such as vision or dental coverage that are often included through a Medicare Advantage plan, you won’t have these with Original Medicare.
Move 3: Tap into free resources to compare your Medicare options, such as Medicare.gov and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides access to volunteers who can offer general information about Medicare plans. For more personalized guidance, licensed insurance agencies can help you compare Medicare plans that can fit your personal health needs, prescriptions, and budget (no obligation to enroll).
The annual open enrollment process can be stressful, especially if your existing plan is cancelled or changing. But taking the time to compare your plan options can enable access to quality care, contribute to well-being and offer valuable financial protection.
Whitney Stidom is vice president of consumer enablement at eHealth, an online health insurance marketplace that helps consumers navigate their health benefit decisions