Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15 through December 7.
If you have Medicare, now is the time to review your coverage and make sure your current plan still meets your needs for 2027. Don’t automatically renew your Medicare plan without reviewing it first.
Take a few minutes to:
- Review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
- Check your providers
- Verify your medications are covered
- Compare available plans
- Consider your expected healthcare needs for next year
Open Enrollment only happens once each year, making it one of the best opportunities to ensure you have the coverage that works best for you.
Many Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans are changing next year. Even if you’re happy with your current plan, it’s important to review any updates before automatically renewing your coverage.
Why Review Your Medicare Coverage Every Year?
Medicare plans can change from year to year. Those changes may affect:
- Your healthcare providers and specialists
- Prescription drug coverage
- Monthly premiums
- Deductibles and copays
- Supplemental benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing services
A plan that worked well for you this year may not offer the same coverage next year.
For more information on Medicare topics, visit our ASL video library to better understand your Medicare options.
If You Have a Medicare Advantage Plan
Take time to review:
- Whether your doctors and specialists are still in-network
- Whether your plan will continue to be offered in 2027
- Changes to your benefits and out-of-pocket costs
- Any new prior authorization requirements or coverage rules
If your plan is changing or ending, you may need to compare other options during Open Enrollment. Visit Medicare.gov to compare Medicare plans, review your options, and make changes to your coverage.
If You Have a Part D Prescription Drug Plan
Review your plan carefully because:
- Premiums may increase
- Deductibles may change
- Drug formularies may be updated
- Medications may move to different tiers
- Preferred pharmacy networks may change
Don’t assume your current prescription drug plan is still the best option for next year.
Important Programs Continuing in 2027
Medicare Prescription Payment Plan
This program allows Medicare beneficiaries to spread their prescription drug costs throughout the year instead of paying larger amounts at the pharmacy all at once.
The program does not reduce overall costs, but it can help make expenses more manageable month to month.
GLP-1 Bridge Program
The GLP-1 Bridge Program will continue through 2027 for eligible individuals. The program helps some beneficiaries access GLP-1 medications used for weight management when traditional Medicare Part D coverage may not be available.
Eligibility requirements apply.
At DeafHealth, we believe health information should be accessible to everyone. We are committed to providing timely health education and Medicare information in ASL to support informed healthcare decisions.
Medicare Open Enrollment: October 15 – December 7
Coverage Effective: January 1, 2027
This article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered insurance, legal, or financial advice.
Video Description & Transcript
[Video Description: Bee, a nonbinary person with curly dark hair and glasses, sits in front of a dark blue background and signs “change” in ASL toward the camera. Bee wears a blue DeafHealth shirt and black vest, with hoop earrings, facial piercings, and visible arm tattoos. A light blue text box reads, “Medicare Changes for 2027: What You Need to Know.”
[Transcript:
Already have Medicare? Don’t assume your plan will stay the same in 2027.
Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15 – December 7.
This year is important because many Medicare plans are changing.
If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan:
• Check if your doctors are still in-network.
• Check if your plan still exists next year.
• Review any changes to benefits.
If you have a Part D prescription drug plan:
• Premiums, deductibles, and drug coverage may change.
• Don’t assume your current plan is still your best option.
Good news:
• The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan is still available and can help spread prescription costs throughout the year.
• The GLP-1 Bridge Program continues through 2027 for eligible individuals.
To learn more, make changes, and review options, visit this website. (text: medicare.gov)
Most important: Don’t automatically renew your plan. Review it every year.
[The screen fades to B-roll showing a Deaf patient interacting with a doctor with an interpreter present. A series of animated icons appears over the footage, beginning with three people, followed by a clipboard, a raised hand, two hands in a handshake, and a laptop with a play icon.
The animation transitions to the CareLine logo, featuring a video camera overlapping a conversation bubble, with a heartbeat line where the two symbols overlap. The CareLine logo then transitions to the DeafHealth logo with the text, “Better access to healthcare starts here.”
The video ends with a navy blue box displaying the CareLine logo, the phone number 445-275-2273, and the text, “Free virtual help with healthcare, benefits, and resources.”]
