FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026 • BOOMRZ NETWORK
Choosing Your 2027
Medicare open enrollment is underway, and the clock is ticking. From October 15
through December 7, 2026, you can review your coverage and make changes that take
effect January 1, 2027. Whether you love your plan or have never looked at it closely,
now is the time. Premiums, drug lists, and doctor networks change every year, and a
plan that served you well in 2026 may not fit you in 2027.
“A plan that worked for you in 2026 may look very different in 2027. An hour of checking can save a year of regret.”
Know Your Dates
October 15 – December 7, 2026: Switch between Original Medicare and
Medicare Advantage, change Advantage plans, or join, drop, or change a Part D
drug plan.
January 1, 2027: Your new coverage begins.
January 1 – March 31, 2027: If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get
one more chance to switch plans or return to Original Medicare.
The complete schedule is at Medicare Resources: Enrollment Dates at a Glance.
What Is Changing for 2027
The standard Part D deductible rises to $700.
The yearly out-of-pocket limit for Part D drugs rises to $2,400, up from $2,100 in 2026.
Medicare-negotiated prices take effect for 15 more drugs on January 1.
Your plan was required to mail your Annual Notice of Change by September 30.
Find it and read it. It lists exactly what is different about your current plan next
year.
Official details are on the CMS website.
Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage?
This is the biggest choice you will make. Original Medicare lets you see any doctor or
hospital that accepts Medicare, and many people add a Medigap supplement and a
separate Part D drug plan. Medicare Advantage bundles coverage through a private
insurer, often with extra benefits and lower premiums, but with provider networks and sometimes prior authorization rules. Neither is right for everyone. The best choice depends on your doctors, your prescriptions, your budget, and how much you travel.
Gather These Before You Compare
Your red, white, and blue Medicare card
Your 2027 Annual Notice of Change from your current plan
A list of every prescription, with dosage and your pharmacy Names of all your doctors and specialists
Your Resource Toolkit
1. Medicare Plan Finder. Enter your prescriptions and pharmacy, then compare
estimated total yearly costs side by side: medicare.gov/plan-compare.
2. HICAP (California). Free, one-on-one counseling from trained counselors who do
not sell insurance and will not push a plan. Call 1-800-434-0222 or visit
aging.ca.gov/hicap.
3. SHIP Locator (all states). Living elsewhere or helping a relative out of state?
Find your local counseling program at shiphelp.org.
4. 1-800-MEDICARE. Call 1-800-633-4227 or visit medicare.gov for official
answers.
5. Medicare Rights Center. A nonprofit offering plain-English guidance and a
helpline: medicarerights.org.
Five Questions Before You Switch
1. Are my doctors in the network? Call your primary doctor, specialists, and
preferred hospital and ask, “Do you participate in this plan for 2027?”
2. Are my medications covered? Check each drug, its cost tier, and any
restrictions.
3. What is my total yearly cost? Look beyond the premium to deductibles, copays,
and the maximum out-of-pocket amount.
4. Do I travel? Advantage plans often limit out-of-area coverage. Original Medicare
travels more freely.
5. What happens if my health changes? Ask how each choice would handle a hospital stay or a new diagnosis.
Help Paying for Coverage
If your income is limited, you may qualify for Extra Help with Part D costs or a
Medicare Savings Program that pays some premiums. Apply for Extra Help at ssa.gov,
or ask a HICAP counselor to check your eligibility. Many seniors qualify and never
apply, so it costs nothing to ask.
Beware the Hard Sell
This season brings a flood of mailers, TV ads, and phone calls. Medicare will not call
you uninvited to sell a plan, and you should never give out your Medicare number to a
stranger. Agents are paid commissions, so treat their advice as one opinion, then verify it with the Plan Finder or a free HICAP counselor.
Take Your Time, But Not Too Much
December 7 arrives quickly. Gather your plan notice and medication list this week,
book a free counseling appointment early, and make your decision with a clear head, not under deadline pressure or a salesperson’s pitch. This post is general information, not personal advice, so check with a HICAP counselor before changing your coverage.
Your turn, Boomrz community! Have you been through Medicare open
enrollment? What helped you? What surprised you? Which resource do you wish
you had found sooner? Please scroll down to the Comments Box below and share your experience with the Community. Your story may be exactly what a neighbor needs this week.