Open Enrollment Season: What to Check Before December 7
Medicare open enrollment is almost here.
Below are some important dates, changes, and resources for you to reference: [1][2][3]
Changes in 2027 Worth Knowing About: [6][7]
Before open enrollment closes on December 7, gather the following materials and information:
Check the following for next year's plan:
If you or a family member is under 65, health coverage bought on your own, outside of Medicare, follows a different calendar: [4][5]
If you already work with an insurance agent or broker, they can be a helpful resource in answering questions or concerns.
If you don't currently work with an agent or broker but still want guidance, Pennsylvania offers free Medicare counseling through PA MEDI. Their counselors don't sell insurance. You can reach them at 1.800.783.7067. [3] PA also has programs (PACE and PACENET) that may help residents 65 and older with prescription costs. [8]
A brief aside: we often bring up concerns around scams. The topic is relevant here too. If someone calls you claiming to be from Medicare and asks for your Medicare number, hang up. Medicare won't call out of the blue asking for it. [9]
Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. Laurel Financial Group is a separate entity from WFAFN.
This material is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, insurance, tax, or legal advice, or as a solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell any security, insurance, or investment product. Laurel Financial Group does not sell or recommend Medicare plans, marketplace health plans, or other insurance products. Medicare figures referenced are based on information published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as of September 2026 and are subject to change. Please review your plan documents, visit Medicare.gov or pennie.com, or contact a licensed insurance professional or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program for guidance specific to your situation. Enrollment dates are current as of 10/6/2026 and subject to change; confirm Pennie dates at pennie.com.
1. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans must send the Annual Notice of Change for enrollee receipt by September 30; for plans ending December 31, the non-renewal notice must be dated October 2. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 42 CFR 422.2267. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-422/subpart-V/section-422.2267
2. Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, and changes take effect January 1. Medicare.gov, Open Enrollment. https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/open-enrollment
3. From January 1 to March 31, people in a Medicare Advantage plan have one chance to switch plans or return to Original Medicare. PA MEDI offers free counseling, does not sell or recommend insurance products, and can be reached at 1.800.783.7067, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pennsylvania Department of Aging, PA MEDI. https://www.pa.gov/agencies/aging/aging-programs-and-services/pa-medi-medicare-counseling
4. Pennie open enrollment for 2027 coverage begins November 1, 2026 and ends January 15, 2027, with coverage beginning January 1 or February 1 depending on when a plan is chosen. Pennie, What's New, https://pennie.com/whats-new/ ; Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health (Penn State), July 25, 2026, https://www.porh.psu.edu/pa-health-insurance-exchange-2027-open-enrollment-period-returns-to-november-1-2026-january-15-2027/
5. HealthCare.gov open enrollment begins November 1; December 15 is the last day to enroll for coverage starting January 1; open enrollment ends January 15, with coverage starting February 1 for plans chosen December 16 through January 15. HealthCare.gov, When can you get health insurance? https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines/
6. For 2027, the standard Part D deductible is $700 (up from $615) and the annual out of pocket threshold is $2,400 (up from $2,100). Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CY 2027 Rate Announcement, April 6, 2026, Attachment V, Table V-2. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/2027-announcement.pdf
7. One large insurer has said its 2027 Medicare Advantage plan exits will affect about 600,000 members. Becker's Payer Issues, July 29, 2026. https://www.beckerspayer.com/payer/medicare-advantage/humana-to-exit-medicare-advantage-plans-covering-600000-members-in-2027/
8. PACE and PACENET offer low cost prescription medication to qualified Pennsylvania residents age 65 and older who meet residency and income requirements. Pennsylvania Department of Aging. https://www.pa.gov/services/aging/apply-for-the-pharmaceutical-assistance-contract-for-the-elderly
9. Real Medicare representatives will not call, text, or email out of the blue to ask for your Medicare number. Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Advice, September 2025. https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/09/medicare-open-enrollment-season-learn-how-protect-yourself-scams
Below are some important dates, changes, and resources for you to reference: [1][2][3]
• By September 30: If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D drug plan, you should have received a notice explaining any changes that will occur next year.
• Early October: You should be notified if your Medicare Advantage plan won't be offered in 2027.
• October 15: Open enrollment begins.
• December 7: Open enrollment period ends. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.
• January 1: Window to make one change to your Medicare Advantage plan begins (Medicare Advantage plans only).
• March 31: Window to make one change to your Medicare Advantage plan ends.
Changes in 2027 Worth Knowing About: [6][7]
• Part D (prescription drug coverage) maximum deductible rises to $700.
• Out of pocket maximum on covered drugs rises to $2,400.
• Some Medicare Advantage plans won't be offered next year.
Before open enrollment closes on December 7, gather the following materials and information:
• Your Annual Notice of Change (for Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plans)
• A list of your prescriptions
• Your doctors' names
• Whether your current plan renews
Check the following for next year's plan:
• Whether your doctors are in network
• Whether your prescriptions are covered
• Your total cost for the year (premium plus what you'd pay for your actual prescriptions).
If you or a family member is under 65, health coverage bought on your own, outside of Medicare, follows a different calendar: [4][5]
• November 1: Open enrollment begins on Pennie, Pennsylvania's official health insurance marketplace. Family members in states that use HealthCare.gov follow the same dates.
• December 15: Last day to choose a plan for coverage that starts January 1, 2027.
• January 15, 2027: Open enrollment ends. Plans chosen December 16 through January 15 start February 1.
If you already work with an insurance agent or broker, they can be a helpful resource in answering questions or concerns.
If you don't currently work with an agent or broker but still want guidance, Pennsylvania offers free Medicare counseling through PA MEDI. Their counselors don't sell insurance. You can reach them at 1.800.783.7067. [3] PA also has programs (PACE and PACENET) that may help residents 65 and older with prescription costs. [8]
A brief aside: we often bring up concerns around scams. The topic is relevant here too. If someone calls you claiming to be from Medicare and asks for your Medicare number, hang up. Medicare won't call out of the blue asking for it. [9]
Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. Laurel Financial Group is a separate entity from WFAFN.
This material is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, insurance, tax, or legal advice, or as a solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell any security, insurance, or investment product. Laurel Financial Group does not sell or recommend Medicare plans, marketplace health plans, or other insurance products. Medicare figures referenced are based on information published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as of September 2026 and are subject to change. Please review your plan documents, visit Medicare.gov or pennie.com, or contact a licensed insurance professional or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program for guidance specific to your situation. Enrollment dates are current as of 10/6/2026 and subject to change; confirm Pennie dates at pennie.com.
1. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans must send the Annual Notice of Change for enrollee receipt by September 30; for plans ending December 31, the non-renewal notice must be dated October 2. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 42 CFR 422.2267. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-422/subpart-V/section-422.2267
2. Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, and changes take effect January 1. Medicare.gov, Open Enrollment. https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/open-enrollment
3. From January 1 to March 31, people in a Medicare Advantage plan have one chance to switch plans or return to Original Medicare. PA MEDI offers free counseling, does not sell or recommend insurance products, and can be reached at 1.800.783.7067, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pennsylvania Department of Aging, PA MEDI. https://www.pa.gov/agencies/aging/aging-programs-and-services/pa-medi-medicare-counseling
4. Pennie open enrollment for 2027 coverage begins November 1, 2026 and ends January 15, 2027, with coverage beginning January 1 or February 1 depending on when a plan is chosen. Pennie, What's New, https://pennie.com/whats-new/ ; Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health (Penn State), July 25, 2026, https://www.porh.psu.edu/pa-health-insurance-exchange-2027-open-enrollment-period-returns-to-november-1-2026-january-15-2027/
5. HealthCare.gov open enrollment begins November 1; December 15 is the last day to enroll for coverage starting January 1; open enrollment ends January 15, with coverage starting February 1 for plans chosen December 16 through January 15. HealthCare.gov, When can you get health insurance? https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines/
6. For 2027, the standard Part D deductible is $700 (up from $615) and the annual out of pocket threshold is $2,400 (up from $2,100). Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CY 2027 Rate Announcement, April 6, 2026, Attachment V, Table V-2. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/2027-announcement.pdf
7. One large insurer has said its 2027 Medicare Advantage plan exits will affect about 600,000 members. Becker's Payer Issues, July 29, 2026. https://www.beckerspayer.com/payer/medicare-advantage/humana-to-exit-medicare-advantage-plans-covering-600000-members-in-2027/
8. PACE and PACENET offer low cost prescription medication to qualified Pennsylvania residents age 65 and older who meet residency and income requirements. Pennsylvania Department of Aging. https://www.pa.gov/services/aging/apply-for-the-pharmaceutical-assistance-contract-for-the-elderly
9. Real Medicare representatives will not call, text, or email out of the blue to ask for your Medicare number. Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Advice, September 2025. https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/09/medicare-open-enrollment-season-learn-how-protect-yourself-scams