Medicare Open Enrollment 2027: 7 Mistakes to Avoid Before You Choose Your Plan

An insurance educator helps an older couple review Medicare plan information at a bright table

Medicare Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review your coverage and make changes for the year ahead.

For 2027 Medicare coverage, Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes made during this period generally begin on January 1, 2027, as long as the plan receives your enrollment request by December 7.

You still have time to prepare. That is good news.

You do not have to make a rushed decision or sort through every detail alone. With a little preparation, and the right guidance, you can review your options, protect your health and finances, and move into 2027 with greater confidence.

Here are seven common Medicare mistakes to avoid.

An older woman calmly compares Medicare plan documents at a kitchen table

1. Ignoring your Annual Notice of Change

One of the most important documents you will receive is your Annual Notice of Change, often called your ANOC.

Your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan should send this notice before Open Enrollment. It explains how your plan will change for the upcoming year.

Your ANOC may show changes to:

  • Monthly premiums
  • Deductibles
  • Copayments and coinsurance
  • Covered prescription drugs
  • Drug tiers and pharmacy costs
  • Doctors, hospitals, and other providers
  • Benefits and services
  • Annual out-of-pocket limits

It can be tempting to set the letter aside because Medicare information feels overwhelming. But this document is designed to help you understand what is changing.

Read it carefully. Compare the 2027 information with what you used in 2026. If something looks different, or if you are unsure what a change means, let’s talk through it together.

Your plan may have worked well this year. That does not always mean it will be the best fit next year.

2. Assuming your plan will automatically remain your best choice

In many cases, your current plan may renew automatically if you do not make a change. That can feel convenient.

However, automatic renewal does not mean automatic suitability.

Your health needs, prescriptions, preferred doctors, and budget may change. Your plan’s costs and benefits may change, too. Staying in the same plan simply because it feels familiar could leave you paying more or receiving less coverage than you expected.

Before deciding to stay, ask yourself:

  • Are my doctors still in the plan’s network?
  • Are my prescriptions still covered?
  • Has my premium changed?
  • Are my copayments or deductibles different?
  • Do I still use the benefits this plan emphasizes?
  • Does the plan fit my health needs and budget for 2027?

You do not have to switch plans just for the sake of switching. The goal is to make an informed choice, whether that means staying where you are or exploring something new.

3. Not comparing the plans available in your area

Medicare plans and costs can vary by location. The plan that works well for a friend or family member may not be the right plan for you.

During Open Enrollment, take time to compare the options available where you live. You can use the official Medicare Plan Compare tool to review plans, costs, benefits, prescriptions, and estimated yearly expenses.

Depending on your current coverage, you may be able to:

  • Join, drop, or switch Medicare Advantage plans
  • Add or drop prescription drug coverage within a Medicare Advantage plan
  • Join, drop, or switch a Part D prescription drug plan if you have Original Medicare
  • Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage

Comparing plans is not about choosing the plan with the longest list of benefits. It is about finding coverage that fits your care, medications, doctors, lifestyle, and financial situation.

A careful comparison can bring clarity, and peace of mind.

4. Looking only at the monthly premium

A low monthly premium can be appealing. But it is only one part of the cost.

Before you choose a plan, look at the bigger financial picture. Consider what you may pay throughout the year for the care and prescriptions you actually use.

Review:

  • Monthly premiums
  • Annual deductibles
  • Primary care and specialist copayments
  • Hospital costs
  • Prescription drug costs
  • Out-of-pocket maximums
  • Emergency and urgent care costs
  • In-network and out-of-network expenses

A plan with a low premium may have higher costs when you receive care. Another plan with a higher premium may offer more predictable expenses or lower costs for the services you use most often.

Try to estimate your total yearly cost, not just what comes out of your bank account each month.

Your budget deserves the full picture.

5. Overlooking Part D prescription drug changes

Prescription drug coverage can change from one year to the next. A medication may move to a different cost tier, require prior approval, have quantity limits, or no longer be covered by the plan.

Your preferred pharmacy may also have a different cost than another pharmacy in your area.

Make a current list of every prescription you take. Include:

  • The medication name
  • The dosage
  • How often you take it
  • The pharmacy you usually use
  • Any brand-name or generic preference

Then check each medication against the plan’s drug list, also called its formulary. Confirm that your prescriptions are covered and understand what you may pay.

Do not assume that a drug covered in 2026 will be covered the same way in 2027.

If you take several medications, this step may feel like a lot. I’ll help you slow down, review the details, and understand what you are seeing.

An older man and his adult daughter review a Medicare checklist and medications together

6. Forgetting to check your doctors, hospitals, and pharmacy network

If you are considering a Medicare Advantage plan, your provider network matters.

A network is the group of doctors, specialists, hospitals, pharmacies, and other providers that have agreed to work with the plan. Using providers outside the network may cost more, or may not be covered in the way you expect.

Before enrolling, check whether the plan includes:

  • Your primary care doctor
  • Your specialists
  • Your preferred hospital
  • Your urgent care locations
  • Your physical therapy or rehabilitation providers
  • Your preferred pharmacy

If you spend part of the year in another state or travel frequently, ask how the plan handles care away from home.

The right plan should support the care you already trust whenever possible. Your doctors and medications are not small details, they are central to your decision.

7. Waiting until the last minute

December 7 may seem far away, but the weeks can pass quickly.

Waiting until the final days of Open Enrollment may leave you feeling rushed. You may have trouble gathering prescription information, confirming provider networks, or getting answers to important questions.

A calmer approach is to create a simple timeline:

  • Early September: Watch for your ANOC and gather your Medicare documents.
  • Late September: Review changes to your current plan.
  • October 15: Begin comparing 2027 plans during Open Enrollment.
  • November: Confirm your prescriptions, providers, benefits, and estimated costs.
  • Before December 7: Submit any enrollment change early enough for the plan to receive it on time.
  • January 1, 2027: Your new coverage generally begins if you made a change during Open Enrollment.

Remember, Medicare has several enrollment periods. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 through March 31 is not the same as the fall Open Enrollment period and does not provide the same choices for everyone.

If you are not sure which enrollment period applies to you, Medicare.gov and your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP, can provide official information and guidance.

You do not have to make this decision alone

Medicare is important, but it does not have to feel impossible.

I help individuals and families understand their Medicare options in plain language. We can review your current coverage, talk through your needs, and identify questions to ask before you choose a plan.

My goal is not simply to discuss policies. It is to help you feel informed, prepared, and confident about protecting your health and your finances.

You can also review Medicare services from Here Is The Insurance Lady or book a free consultation. The consultation is available virtually, lasts 30 minutes, and comes with no obligation. Ready to book your appointment with me? You can schedule your free 30-minute consultation by going to hereistheinsurancelady.com or by calling 404-437-2323. No obligation, and we'll take it one step at a time.

“No pressure. No mumbo jumbo. Just a real conversation about protecting what matters most to you.”

Medicare plan availability notice

We do not offer every plan in your area. Currently we represent 19 organizations which offers 124 products in your area. Please contact medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options, or call your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your plan options. You can also book your free 30-minute consultation, no obligation, by going to hereistheinsurancelady.com or calling 404-437-2323.

A warm family moment represents the confidence that comes from planning Medicare coverage together

Open Enrollment is a time to pause, review, and make sure your coverage still supports the life you are living.

Start where you are. Gather your ANOC, medication list, and provider information. Then let’s figure it out together( one clear step at a time.)