The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 – December 7, 2026. Here's what to review, what's changing in 2027, and how to protect your coverage in Greenville, SC.
This post is written for people who are already on Medicare — specifically anyone enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or standalone Part D prescription drug plan who wants to make sure their 2027 coverage still fits their life. If you're not sure whether your plan is still working for you, you're in the right place.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the one window each year when you can review, compare, and change your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. It runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026, and any changes you make take effect January 1, 2027. Once December 7 passes, that window closes for the year.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 – December 7, 2026. During this window, anyone on Medicare can switch, drop, or join a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan for coverage beginning January 1, 2027. You are not required to make a change — but reviewing your Annual Notice of Change and comparing your options is always a smart idea.
Why Reviewing Your Coverage Every Year Matters
Medicare plans can change from year to year. Your premium might go up. A prescription you rely on could move to a different tier on the formulary. A doctor you trust might no longer be in-network. These aren't rare surprises — they happen routinely, which is exactly why CMS created the AEP in the first place.
By late September, your plan was required to mail you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). That letter outlines every change coming to your plan in 2027 — premiums, deductibles, copays, covered drugs, and network updates. If you haven't read it yet, now is the time to pull it out.
You don't have to change plans every year. But you should review your options so that you're making an informed choice, not just rolling forward by default.
What Can Change in a Medicare Plan Year to Year?
Here's what to look for when comparing your current plan to your options for 2027:
- Monthly premium — Did your plan's premium increase? Is there a plan with a lower or $0 premium that still covers your needs?
- Prescription drug coverage — Did any of your medications move to a higher cost-sharing tier? Is your pharmacy still preferred?
- Doctor and hospital network — Is your primary care doctor still in the plan's network? What about any specialists you see regularly?
- Deductibles and copays — Did your out-of-pocket costs change for primary care visits, specialist visits, or urgent care?
- Extra benefits — Some plans offer dental, vision, hearing, or fitness benefits. Did those stay the same, improve, or disappear?
- Out-of-pocket maximum — This caps how much you spend in a year. It can change from one plan year to the next.
What's Happening With Medicare Costs in 2027?
For 2026, the standard Part B premium (which covers outpatient and doctor services) is $202.90 per month. The 2026 Medicare Trustees Report projected the 2027 Part B premium at approximately $209.50 per month — but that figure is projected, not yet official. CMS typically announces the confirmed 2027 number in November 2026.
On the Part D side, the out-of-pocket cap for prescription drug costs is finalized at $2,000 for 2027 — a meaningful change that limits how much you'll spend on covered drugs in a plan year, regardless of what those drugs cost. The 2027 Part D maximum deductible is finalized at $700, and the base beneficiary premium is $41.33 per month.
Your AEP Review Checklist
- Find your Annual Notice of Change. Check the mail you received in late September. Your current plan sent this letter — it's the starting point for your review.
- List your current prescriptions. Write down every medication, the dose, and how often you take it. This is the single most important input for comparing Part D coverage.
- List your providers. Note your primary care doctor, any specialists, your preferred pharmacy, and any hospitals you use.
- Review what's changing in your current plan. Use your ANOC to see whether your premium, drug formulary, or network is shifting in 2027.
- Compare available plans. Visit Medicare.gov or work with a local licensed agent to see what plans are available in your area and how they stack up.
- Make your decision — or choose to stay. If your current plan still fits, you don't need to do anything. If a different plan looks like a better fit, you can make the switch before December 7.
How Advocate Insurance Group Can Help
At Advocate Insurance Group, we help Medicare members in Greenville and across the Upstate of South Carolina review their coverage every year during AEP. We're an independent agency, not a call center, and our guidance is always free to you.
When you sit down with Antinea Martin, you get a real conversation — not a sales pitch. She'll look at your current plan, your prescriptions, your doctors, and your budget, and help you understand whether your plan still fits or whether there's something that serves you better.
Have questions about your enrollment options?
We'll walk you through every step — at no cost to you.
