Medicare Open Enrollment: What to Review Before December 7
Happy with your Medicare coverage? It's tempting to set aside the fall mail and let your plan renew. We get it! But plans can change from year to year, and a quick review helps you avoid surprises in January. At Community Insurance, we help families across Lancaster County and Pennsylvania make sense of their Medicare choices, so we put together this guide to get you started.
Know the Key Dates
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. During this window, you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare drug plan, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Your plan must receive your enrollment request by December 7, and changes generally take effect January 1, 2027.
Review What's Changing in Your Current Plan
If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan, your plan should have sent you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) by September 30. It explains what's changing for next year, so it's a great place to start. Look closely at:
- Monthly premiums and deductibles
- Copays and coinsurance for the care you use most
- Covered services and any new limits
- Prescription drug coverage and pricing tiers
Didn't get your notice? Contact your plan directly to request a copy.
Check Your Doctors, Prescriptions, and Pharmacies
Provider networks and drug lists can change each year. Picture a retiree who has seen the same cardiologist for years and fills a daily prescription at her neighborhood pharmacy. If that doctor leaves her plan's network, or her medication moves to a higher-cost tier, her care could cost more starting January 1, even though she never switched plans. Take a few minutes to confirm that your preferred doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and medications are still covered for 2027.
Compare the Full Cost, Not Only the Premium
A low monthly premium can look like a great deal, but it's only one piece of the picture. When comparing options, consider:
- Deductibles, copays, and coinsurance
- Your expected prescription drug costs
- The plan's out-of-pocket limits
One helpful number to know: in 2027, the annual out-of-pocket cap for covered Part D drugs rises to $2,400, up from $2,100 in 2026. Thinking about your doctor visits and medications gives you a more realistic picture of yearly costs.
Use Reliable Resources
For official plan information, Medicare.gov is your best starting point. Its Medicare Plan Finder lets you compare plans in your area using your own medications and pharmacies. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Pennsylvanians can get free, unbiased counseling through PA MEDI, the state's Medicare counseling program, at 1-800-783-7067.
A licensed insurance professional can also help, especially if your health, medications, or budget changed this year.
Common Medicare Open Enrollment Questions
Do I need to change plans? Not necessarily. If your current plan still fits your needs, you can keep it.
What if my medications changed? That's a great reason to compare plans. Enter your updated prescription list in the Medicare Plan Finder to see how coverage and costs stack up.
When would new coverage begin? Changes made during Open Enrollment generally take effect January 1, 2027.
December 7 will be here before you know it, so start your review early. Have questions about your Medicare options? Our friendly team is happy to help. Give us a call at our Lancaster office at 717-397-7531 or our New Holland office at 717-354-4551. Plan availability, costs, and eligibility vary, so please confirm details with Medicare.gov or the plan directly before making a decision.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.