Medicare Advantage 2027 Changes, Plan Cuts, December 7 Enrollment Deadline, Premiums and Part D Costs

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), also called Medicare Open Enrollment, runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. It is the main window to change Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug coverage for 2027. Changes made in this window generally take effect January 1, 2027.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) projects that the weighted average monthly Medicare Advantage premium will fall from $14.37 in 2026 to $12 in 2027. That national average does not tell you what your own plan will do. A plan can still change its network, cut a benefit, raise cost-sharing or leave your county. [1]

The most important step is to compare your actual 2027 plan, not the advertised premium. Your doctors, hospitals, medications and total out-of-pocket costs can matter more than a $0 monthly premium.

Quick Facts: Medicare Advantage and Part D in 2027

Question	Official information
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)	October 15 – December 7, 2026
New coverage begins	January 1, 2027
Projected average Medicare Advantage premium	$12.00 per month in 2027, down from $14.37 in 2026
Projected average Part D premium inside Medicare Advantage plans	$7.00 in 2027, down from $11.32 in 2026
Projected average stand-alone Part D premium	$36.00 in 2027, up from $35.09 in 2026
Maximum standard Part D deductible	$700 in 2027, up from $615 in 2026
Part D out-of-pocket threshold	$2,400 in 2027, up from $2,100 in 2026
Medicare Advantage plans nationwide (CMS projection)	About 5,532 in 2027, compared with 5,553 in 2026
Beneficiaries with access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan	More than 99% (CMS projection)
Beneficiaries with access to 10 or more plans	97% (CMS projection)
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period	January 1 – March 31, 2027 (existing Medicare Advantage members only)
Official plan comparison tool	Medicare Plan Finder
Free help	1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Premiums and plan counts are CMS projections. Actual costs, benefits and availability depend on your county and plan. [1]

Why Are Medicare Advantage Searches Rising in October 2026?

Four developments are driving the questions seniors are asking this month.

1. Plans can leave counties. A plan can end in your area even if the insurer keeps selling Medicare Advantage elsewhere.
2. Premiums do not show total cost. A plan can advertise a low premium while changing drug tiers, specialist copayments or dental and vision allowances.
3. Part D costs are changing. The $2,400 out-of-pocket threshold and $700 maximum standard deductible apply from January 1, 2027. The temporary federal Part D premium subsidy program also ends at the close of 2026. [2][9]
4. CMS has proposed new transparency rules. Its October 16, 2026 proposal targets provider directory accuracy and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reporting. [3]

Are Medicare Advantage Plans Being Cut for 2027?

Availability is changing in some local markets, but the national picture is not “plans are disappearing everywhere.” CMS projects about 5,532 plans in 2027, down from 5,553 in 2026. It also projects that more than 99% of beneficiaries will have at least one Medicare Advantage option and 97% will have 10 or more. [1]

Those national figures do not say whether your exact plan returns in your county. Ask these questions before December 7:

• Is my exact plan offered in 2027?
• Will my primary care doctor, specialists and hospital stay in network?
• Are my prescriptions on the 2027 formulary, and at what tier?
• Have my copayments, deductible or annual medical out-of-pocket maximum changed?
• Are the dental, hearing, vision and over-the-counter benefits still available, and on what terms?

What Should You Do if Your Medicare Advantage Plan Is Ending?

Read any non-renewal or termination notice from your insurer right away. Under Medicare’s special enrollment rules, a member whose plan is not renewed can choose another plan. If you do not choose a replacement Medicare Advantage plan, you may be placed in Original Medicare. For contract non-renewals, the special enrollment period generally runs from December 8 through the last day of February. The exact rule depends on your circumstances. [4]

Federal rules for these enrollment periods are in 42 CFR § 422.62, issued under Part C of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1395w-21 and following sections).

What Are the Medicare Advantage Enrollment Periods and Deadlines?

Enrollment period	Dates	Who can use it	What you can do
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) / Medicare Open Enrollment	October 15 – December 7, 2026	Everyone with Medicare	Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Medicare Advantage plans, or change Part D plans
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)	January 1 – March 31, 2027	Only people already in Medicare Advantage	Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan, or return to Original Medicare and join a stand-alone Part D plan
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)	Varies	People who qualify, for example if the plan ends or you move out of the service area	Change plans under the specific SEP rules

The MA OEP cannot be used to move from Original Medicare into Medicare Advantage. [6]

What Is Changing in Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Costs for 2027?

Part D rules come from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which redesigned the benefit and ended the old coverage gap known as the “donut hole.”

The maximum standard Part D deductible rises to $700

For 2027, the maximum deductible under the standard Part D benefit rises from $615 to $700. That is a ceiling for the standard benefit. Some plans have lower deductibles or none. [2]

The Part D out-of-pocket threshold rises to $2,400

The annual out-of-pocket threshold rises from $2,100 in 2026 to $2,400 in 2027. After you reach it, the standard Part D benefit generally leaves you paying nothing for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year. [2]

This is not a cap on all health spending. It does not cover premiums, non-covered drugs or the separate annual limit on medical services under Part A and Part B.

Related article: Erik von Detten Lawsuit, Elder Abuse Claims Over $2,346,745.22 in Gold Coins and the Rosland Capital Bankruptcy

Other Inflation Reduction Act protections to check

• Insulin: Covered insulin is capped at $35 for a one-month supply under Medicare drug coverage.
• Vaccines: Adult vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices are covered at $0 under Part D.
• Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: You can choose to spread out-of-pocket drug costs in monthly payments across the year instead of paying all at once at the pharmacy.

Medicare-negotiated prices take effect for 15 more drugs

CMS says negotiated prices for 15 additional Part D drugs take effect January 1, 2027, bringing the total to 25 negotiated drugs. The negotiated price is not necessarily what you pay at the counter. Your cost still depends on your plan, benefit stage and cost-sharing. [5]

What Are Your Prior Authorization Rights in Medicare Advantage?

Prior authorization means your insurer must approve certain services before you receive them. Several federal rules now apply to Medicare Advantage organizations:

• CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule (CMS-0057-F): Beginning January 1, 2026, covered payers including Medicare Advantage organizations must decide standard prior authorization requests within 7 calendar days and expedited requests within 72 hours. They must also give a specific reason when denying a request.
• CMS Contract Year 2024 final rule (CMS-4201-F): Medicare Advantage plans must follow Traditional Medicare coverage criteria for covered services. An approved prior authorization for a course of treatment must remain valid for as long as medically necessary to avoid disruptions in care.
• Appeals: If a plan denies a service or payment, you have appeal rights under 42 CFR Part 422, Subpart M, including an independent review.

If your plan denies care, ask for the denial in writing, file an appeal within the deadline on the notice, and ask your doctor for a supporting statement.

Can You Switch From Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare in 2027?

Yes, during the right enrollment period. During AEP (October 15 – December 7) you can:

• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
• Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare.
• Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage.
• Change your Part D plan.

Changes generally take effect January 1, 2027. [6] Between January 1 and March 31, 2027, people already in Medicare Advantage can make one change through the MA OEP.

What Happens to Medigap if You Leave Medicare Advantage?

Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) helps pay cost-sharing under Original Medicare. It generally cannot be used to pay Medicare Advantage plan cost-sharing.

Outside your initial Medigap open enrollment period, federal law does not guarantee that an insurer must sell you a policy without medical underwriting. Guaranteed issue rights do apply in certain situations, including:

• Your Medicare Advantage plan leaves Medicare or stops serving your area.
• You are within a “trial right” period after first joining Medicare Advantage at 65, or after dropping a Medigap policy to join Medicare Advantage for the first time.

These rights come from Section 1882(s) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1395ss(s)). Deadlines are short, often 63 days. Some states, including New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine, give additional or year-round protections, and other states have birthday-based rules. Check your state’s insurance department. [7]

Do not cancel your Medicare Advantage plan until you know when replacement coverage starts and whether you can actually buy the Medigap policy you want.

Late Enrollment Penalties: Part B and Part D Gaps to Avoid

If you leave a plan and go without creditable drug coverage for 63 days or more, you may owe a Part D late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part D. Delaying Part B without qualifying coverage can also create a permanent Part B penalty. Do not leave a gap between your old and new coverage.

What Does CMS’s October 16, 2026 Medicare Advantage Proposal Mean?

On October 16, 2026, CMS announced a proposed rule to strengthen transparency and affordability in Medicare Advantage and Part D. It is a proposal, not a final rule. [3]

• Provider directories: Plans would have to verify and update directory information at least every 90 days and report accuracy scores to CMS, to be displayed publicly.
• Inaccurate directories: A member who relies on a wrong directory listing and gets out-of-network care would pay no more than in-network cost-sharing.
• PBM reporting: PBMs would report compensation and cost performance annually to plan sponsors and CMS, and payments would have to reflect fair market value for services.

The proposal is open to public comment and is aimed at the 2028 contract year. You cannot enforce it as a right for 2027.

How Do Medicare Advantage Star Ratings Affect Your 2027 Choice?

CMS published the 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings on October 8, 2026. About 37% of Medicare Advantage contracts with drug coverage (188 contracts) earned four stars or higher, and about 71% of enrollees were in contracts rated four stars or higher. [8]

A high rating does not mean your doctor is in network, your drug is covered or your total cost will be lower.

For a related court dispute over ratings, see Humana Loses BILLIONS, Humana Medicare Advantage Ratings Lawsuit, Judge Crushes Medicare Lawsuit TWICE—Millions of Seniors at Risk. That litigation does not change any individual member’s policy.

Will Medicare Advantage Premiums Go Down in 2027?

Premium measure	2026	2027 projection
Weighted average Medicare Advantage premium	$14.37	$12.00
Average Part D premium inside Medicare Advantage plans	$11.32	$7.00
Average stand-alone Part D premium	$35.09	$36.00

These are CMS averages. They do not mean every plan lowers its premium, or that every plan costs less overall. [1]

Keep paying your Medicare Part B premium unless you have official confirmation your obligation changed. Most Medicare Advantage members still owe it, even in a $0-premium plan.

For another Medicare cost issue, see Trump Says Nearly $100 Medicare Payments Could Go to More Than 20 Million Seniors to Help Cover Part B Premiums. News reports describe one-time payments of $90 per person for more than 20 million enrollees. This is separate from your Medicare Advantage premium.

What Should Medicare Advantage Members Check Before December 7?

1. Doctors and hospitals. Call the office and the plan. Directory listings can be wrong.
2. Every prescription. Enter each drug and your pharmacy into Plan Finder. Check tier, deductible, prior authorization and quantity limits.
3. Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). Your insurer sends it before the new year. Compare it with your Evidence of Coverage.
4. Medical out-of-pocket maximum. This is separate from the Part D $2,400 threshold.
5. Supplemental benefits. Check dollar limits, approved vendors and eligibility rules. CMS projects supplemental benefits will stay stable overall, but individual plans can change. [1]

What Changed for Extra Benefits Like Grocery Cards and Flex Cards?

Some plans offer Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI), which are limited to enrollees with qualifying chronic conditions under Section 1859(a)(3) of the Social Security Act. These benefits must be tied to eligibility, so allowances can differ by member. Read the Evidence of Coverage for eligibility and limits, and do not assume a flex card carries over from 2026.

What if Medicare Advantage Coverage Becomes Too Expensive?

People with limited income may qualify for Medicare Savings Programs, which can help pay Part B premiums and some cost-sharing, or Extra Help, which lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and drug costs. Eligibility depends on income, resources and state rules. Learn more at Medicare.gov, or contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free counseling.

For a separate drug-pricing issue, see CVS Caremark Settles FTC Insulin Lawsuit: What It Means For Your Drug Costs. That case concerns PBM insulin pricing, not Medicare Advantage enrollment rights.

How to Compare Medicare Advantage Plans for 2027

1. Open the Medicare Plan Finder and enter your ZIP code.
2. Select the 2027 coverage year.
3. Enter your prescriptions and pharmacies.
4. Confirm each doctor and hospital with both the provider and the insurer.
5. Compare premiums, deductible, copayments, prior authorization rules, medical out-of-pocket maximum and extra benefits.
6. Read the ANOC and Evidence of Coverage.
7. Enroll by December 7, 2026 for coverage starting January 1, 2027.

Call 1-800-MEDICARE or your local SHIP counselor for free, unbiased help.

Key Dates

Date	What happens
October 8, 2026	CMS publishes 2027 Star Ratings
October 15, 2026	Annual Enrollment Period begins
October 16, 2026	CMS announces proposed provider directory and PBM rule
December 7, 2026	AEP ends
December 8, 2026	Special enrollment period for plan non-renewals begins (runs through end of February 2027)
January 1, 2027	New coverage begins; $700 maximum standard Part D deductible and $2,400 threshold apply; 15 more negotiated drug prices take effect
January 1 – March 31, 2027	Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
2028 contract year	Target for the October 16 proposed rule, if finalized

Frequently Asked Questions About Medicare Advantage in 2027

What is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period deadline for 2027 coverage?

December 7, 2026. Changes generally take effect January 1, 2027.

Are Medicare Advantage plans ending in 2027?

Not nationally. CMS projects about 5,532 plans in 2027 versus 5,553 in 2026, but individual plans can leave individual counties. Check your exact plan.

What is the 2027 Medicare Part D out-of-pocket limit?

$2,400, up from $2,100 in 2026. It does not cap premiums, non-covered drugs or medical services.

Can I change my Medicare Advantage plan after December 7?

If you are already in Medicare Advantage, you can make one change between January 1 and March 31, 2027. Other special enrollment periods may apply, such as a plan non-renewal.

Can I buy Medigap if my Medicare Advantage plan is discontinued?

You may have a guaranteed issue right under 42 U.S.C. § 1395ss(s) when a plan leaves Medicare or your area. Timing and options depend on your situation and your state.

How long does Medicare Advantage have to decide a prior authorization request?

Under CMS-0057-F, standard requests must be decided within 7 calendar days and expedited requests within 72 hours, beginning January 1, 2026.

Does a $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan mean Medicare is free?

No. You generally still pay the Part B premium, plus any copayments, deductibles and drug costs.

Will my doctor still accept my Medicare Advantage plan in 2027?

Confirm with both the doctor and the insurer. The October 16 directory proposal is not final.

What if I cannot afford my plan?

Check Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help, and call your SHIP counselor.

Official Sources and References

1. CMS, September 28, 2026: “Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs Expected to Remain Stable in 2027.” CMS announcement
2. Medicare.gov: “How Much Does Medicare Drug Coverage Cost?” Medicare.gov drug costs
3. CMS, October 16, 2026: “CMS Proposes Reforms to Strengthen Transparency and Affordability in Medicare Advantage and Part D.” CMS proposal
4. Medicare.gov: “Special Enrollment Periods.” Medicare.gov SEP rules
5. CMS, November 25, 2025: “CMS Delivers Savings for Seniors on 15 Major Drugs for Cancer and Chronic Disease.” CMS drug-price announcement
6. Medicare.gov: “Open Enrollment.” Medicare.gov open enrollment
7. Medicare.gov: “Buying a Medigap Policy.” Medicare.gov Medigap
8. CMS, October 8, 2026: “2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings.” CMS Star Ratings fact sheet
9. Associated Press, October 15, 2026: “Medicare open enrollment begins: What to expect for 2027.”

Legal authorities referenced: Social Security Act Title XVIII, Part C (42 U.S.C. § 1395w-21 et seq.); 42 CFR Part 422 (including § 422.62 and Subpart M); Social Security Act § 1882(s) (42 U.S.C. § 1395ss(s)); Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; CMS-0057-F; CMS-4201-F.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, medical or insurance advice. CMS projections are national averages and individual coverage varies. AllAboutLawyer.com is a legal information website, not a law firm.

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against CMS press releases and fact sheets and Medicare.gov guidance, as of October 21, 2026. Last Updated: October 21, 2026.