Medicare Open Enrollment 2026 runs from October 15 through December 7, and it’s the one window each year when your parents can freely rethink their Medicare coverage for 2027. If you’re the adult child who ends up handling the paperwork, this checklist will help you do it calmly and on time. You don’t need to be an insurance expert — you just need a plan.
Any change made during this window takes effect on January 1, 2027. If your parents are happy with their current coverage, they generally don’t have to do anything to keep it. But “doing nothing” should be a decision, not an accident.
Why Medicare Open Enrollment 2026 Matters More Than You Think
Plans change every year. Premiums, deductibles, provider networks, and drug lists (called formularies) can all shift, even if your parents never touched their plan.
There’s also real news for 2027. According to Medicare.gov, the Part D out-of-pocket cap rises from $2,100 in 2026 to $2,400 in 2027, and the maximum Part D deductible goes from $615 to $700. Once someone hits the cap, they pay nothing out of pocket for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year.
CMS also reported that the average Medicare Advantage premium is projected to drop from $14.37 to about $12.00 per month in 2027. Averages don’t tell you what your parents will pay, though, which is why the comparison step below matters.
Key 2027 Numbers at a Glance
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 | $2,400 |
| Maximum Part D deductible | $615 | $700 |
| Avg. Medicare Advantage premium (all plans) | $14.37/mo | ~$12.00/mo (projected) |
| Avg. standalone Part D (PDP) premium | $35.09/mo | ~$36/mo (projected) |
| Avg. Part D premium inside MA plans | $11.32/mo | ~$7/mo (projected) |
Sources: Medicare.gov and CMS (September 2026). The 2027 Part B premium had not been announced at the time of writing.
Step 1: Gather the Right Documents
Start with the mail. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are expected to send an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and an Evidence of Coverage (EOC) by September 30.
The ANOC is the most useful document in the pile. It lists exactly what’s changing next year: costs, the provider network, and covered drugs. If your parents can’t find it, call the number on the back of their member card.
Also collect:
- Their red, white, and blue Medicare card
- Current plan member cards
- A complete list of medications, with doses and how often they take them
- Names of doctors, specialists, hospitals, and preferred pharmacies
Step 2: Write Down What Actually Matters to Them
Before you compare anything, sit down with your parents for 20 minutes. Ask what worked this year and what frustrated them.
Did a doctor leave the network? Was a refill suddenly more expensive? Do they travel or spend winters in another state? These answers turn a confusing comparison into a short list of must-haves.
If they’re healthy and rarely see doctors, a low-premium plan may fit. If they take several brand-name drugs, total yearly drug cost usually matters more than the monthly premium.
Step 3: Compare Plans With Medicare Plan Finder
The official tool is Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov. Enter each prescription and preferred pharmacy so the tool can estimate total yearly costs, not just premiums.
For each plan on the shortlist, check:
- Estimated total yearly cost (premium + deductible + drug copays)
- Network: are their doctors and hospitals in it?
- Formulary: is every drug covered, and are there prior-authorization or step-therapy rules?
- Star rating: CMS rates plans from 1 to 5 stars
- Extras: dental, vision, and hearing benefits in Medicare Advantage plans vary widely
If you’re still working and saving for your own future healthcare costs, see our guide to HSA contribution limits for 2027. Keep in mind that HSA contributions must stop once someone enrolls in Medicare.
Step 4: Understand the Big Decision — Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage
Open Enrollment is when your parents can move between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan, switch Medicare Advantage plans, or join, drop, or switch a Part D plan.
Medicare Advantage plans often have lower premiums and bundle in extras, but usually limit you to a network. Original Medicare works with any provider that accepts Medicare nationwide, but usually needs a separate Part D plan and often a Medigap policy to cover gaps.
One caution: if a parent leaves Original Medicare and Medigap for Medicare Advantage, getting a Medigap policy back later may not be simple. In many states, insurers can review health history outside of specific guaranteed-issue situations. Check the rules in your parents’ state before switching.
Step 5: Check for Cost-Saving Programs
Many families miss help they qualify for. Extra Help lowers Part D premiums and drug costs for people with limited income and resources. Anyone enrolled in Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program, or SSI qualifies automatically.
Medicare Savings Programs can help pay Part B premiums and, in some cases, deductibles and copays. These are run by state Medicaid offices.
The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan spreads drug costs across the year in monthly bills. It can make budgeting easier, but it does not lower total drug costs.
Step 6: Get Free, Unbiased Help
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) that offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. You can find your local SHIP at shiphelp.org or by calling 877-839-2675.
You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Be cautious with unsolicited calls or mailers. Never share a Medicare number with someone who contacted your parents out of the blue.
Step 7: Enroll and Keep Records
When your parents choose a plan, they can enroll through Plan Finder, by calling the plan, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. Joining a new Medicare Advantage or Part D plan generally ends enrollment in the old one automatically.
Save the confirmation number, the date, and the name of anyone you spoke with. Watch the mail for the new member card in December.
If they change their mind, they can make another change any time before December 7. The last choice they make is the one that counts.
What If You Miss the December 7 Deadline?
People already in a Medicare Advantage plan get a second chance from January 1 to March 31. During that window, they can make one change: switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare and add a Part D plan.
People in Original Medicare can’t use that window to join a Medicare Advantage plan. Certain life events, like moving, may open a Special Enrollment Period.
FAQ
Do my parents need to re-enroll every year?
Generally, no. If their plan is still offered and they’re happy with it, coverage usually continues automatically. Still, review the ANOC, because costs and drug coverage can change.
Can I make changes on my parent’s behalf?
You can help them compare plans and make calls together. For Medicare to discuss their account with you, your parent may need to give permission, often by filling out an authorization form available on Medicare.gov.
Is the cheapest premium always the best choice?
Not necessarily. A low-premium plan with high drug copays or a narrow network can cost more over the year. Compare estimated total yearly costs in Plan Finder.
Final Checklist
- Find and read the ANOC
- List medications, doctors, and pharmacies
- Compare at least three plans in Plan Finder
- Check Extra Help and Medicare Savings Program eligibility
- Book a free SHIP appointment if needed
- Enroll by December 7 and save confirmation details
Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice. Medicare rules, plan costs, and benefits vary by plan and location and may change. Confirm details with Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, your local SHIP, or a licensed professional before making decisions.