What you'll learn
- The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.
- You can switch Medicare Advantage plans, change Part D plans, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
- Your plan's Annual Notice of Change, sent in September, lists what's different next year.
- If you're in Medicare Advantage, you get one more chance to switch between January 1 and March 31.
Every fall, Medicare opens a window to change how you get your coverage for the coming year. For 2027 coverage, that window runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. Your plan must receive your request by December 7, and changes take effect January 1, 2027.
What you can change
During the Annual Enrollment Period, you can:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
- Switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan
What you can't change
- Parts A and B themselves. Open enrollment is about the private plans you pair with them.
- Your Medigap protections. Open enrollment doesn't give you a right to buy a Medigap policy without health questions. In Texas, Medigap policies are sold by private insurers licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance.
Five things to check before Dec. 7
1. Your Annual Notice of Change. Your plan sends it in September. It lists changes to coverage and costs that take effect in January. If you can't find yours, call the plan and ask for another copy. Here's how to read your Annual Notice of Change.
2. Your doctors and hospitals. Networks can change from year to year. Confirm that each provider you count on is in network for 2027. This matters even more in rural Texas, where you may have only one or two hospitals within driving distance, and a network change can mean a much longer drive.
3. Your prescriptions. Drug lists and tiers reset in January. A medication covered this year could cost more, or need prior approval, next year.
4. Your total costs, not just the premium. Add up premiums, deductibles, and expected copays, and look at the yearly out-of-pocket limit. A $0-premium plan isn't always the lowest-cost choice once you count what you pay for care.
5. The extras you actually use. Some plans include dental, vision, or hearing benefits, and what's covered varies widely between plans and can change from year to year.
A quick timeline
| Dates | What you can do |
|---|---|
| Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2026 | Change Medicare Advantage or Part D plans, or switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage |
| Jan. 1, 2027 | New coverage starts |
| Jan. 1 – Mar. 31, 2027 | If you're in Medicare Advantage, make one change: switch plans or return to Original Medicare |
Missed it? You may get another chance
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment, January 1 to March 31, 2027. If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to another one or drop it and return to Original Medicare (and join a separate drug plan). You get one change during this period.
- Special Enrollment Periods. Certain life events open a window to change plans. Examples include moving outside your plan's service area, losing employer or union coverage, qualifying for or losing Medicaid, and getting Extra Help with drug costs.
If money is tight
If you have Medicaid or get Extra Help with drug costs, you aren't limited to the fall window. You can change your drug plan once per calendar month, with the change starting the first day of the next month. If you're struggling with the Part B premium ($202.90 a month in 2026 for most people), a Medicare Savings Program through Texas Health and Human Services may help. Limits change every year, so see our guide to Part B premium help in Texas and ask HICAP about current figures.
If you're new to the state, our guide to moving to Texas on Medicare explains how a move can open a Special Enrollment Period.
Get help in English or Spanish
You can compare plans in your county on the Medicare.gov Plan Finder, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048, any time of day. Spanish speakers can ask for an interpreter. For free, unbiased one-on-one counseling, call the Texas Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) at 1-800-252-9240. To see 2027 plan counts by county, visit our Medicare by county page, or read a local guide like our Waco and McLennan County Medicare guide.
Common questions
What happens if I do nothing during open enrollment?
In most cases your current plan continues into 2027. But its premium, copays, drug list, and network can change, so it's worth reviewing even if you're happy with it.
Can I change my Medigap policy during open enrollment?
Open enrollment doesn't apply to Medigap. You can apply for a Medigap policy at other times, but outside your Medigap open enrollment period or certain protected situations, there's no federal guarantee a company will sell you one, and it may cost more because of your health.
Does open enrollment affect Medicare Parts A and B?
No. Parts A and B themselves don't change during open enrollment. It's about the private plans you use with them: Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans.
Sources
- Medicare.gov: Joining a plan
- Medicare.gov: Plan Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
- Medicare.gov: Special Enrollment Periods
- Medicare.gov: Understanding Medicare Advantage & Medicare Drug Plan Enrollment Periods (fact sheet)
- Medicare.gov: When can I buy a Medigap policy?
- Medicare.gov: Medicare Savings Programs
- Medicare.gov: Costs
- Medicare.gov: Plan Finder
- Texas Department of Insurance: How to pick the right Medicare plan
- Texas HHS: Medicare (Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program)
