Quick version: Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for 2027 coverage runs October 15 – December 7, 2026. CMS finalized the 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D rule on April 2, 2026, and it locks in the Inflation Reduction Act Part D redesign for good — plus higher cost-sharing numbers, tighter Star Ratings, and looser marketing rules starting October 1, 2026. Here are the six things every Florida retiree needs to check before AEP opens.
1. Key Medicare dates for 2026–2027
| Window | Dates | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) mailed | By September 30, 2026 | Every current MA and Part D enrollee |
| Medicare AEP | October 15 – December 7, 2026 | Switch or drop MA / Part D for 2027 |
| 2027 coverage begins | January 1, 2027 | Any changes made during AEP |
| Medicare Advantage OEP | January 1 – March 31, 2027 | One MA-to-MA or MA-to-Original Medicare change |
| General Enrollment Period (Original Medicare late enrollees) | January 1 – March 31, 2027 | Anyone who missed their Initial Enrollment |
2. The Part D redesign is now permanent — and 2027 numbers are higher
The IRA-mandated Part D redesign that started in 2025 is now codified into permanent regulation for 2027 and beyond. The four-phase benefit (deductible, initial coverage, coverage gap "donut hole," catastrophic) collapsed into a simpler three-phase design in 2025. That change stays. But the cost numbers are moving up:
| Part D benefit | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard deductible (max) | $615 | $700 |
| Annual out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 | $2,400 |
| Base beneficiary premium | $38.99 | $41.33 |
The good news: once you hit $2,400 out of pocket on covered drugs in 2027, you pay $0 for the rest of the year — the catastrophic phase is now truly $0 cost-sharing. If you take a high-cost brand or specialty medication (biologics, oncology, MS therapies, GLP-1s for approved indications), you'll likely hit that cap in Q1 or Q2. From that point forward, the drug is free for the rest of 2027.
The uncomfortable news: the temporary Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration winds down after 2026. Standalone Part D plans will price under normal market rules in 2027, so premium jumps are possible even if your plan looked cheap this year. Compare — don't autopilot.
3. Your ANOC is the single most important letter you'll get this fall
Every current Medicare Advantage and standalone Part D enrollee gets an Annual Notice of Change by September 30. It compares your current plan to what your plan will look like in 2027 — same plan, next year. Read four sections carefully:
Formulary changes
Plans routinely drop drugs from their formulary or move drugs to higher cost-sharing tiers. If your maintenance medication moved from Tier 2 to Tier 4, your annual out-of-pocket cost can jump thousands of dollars. Every year I see clients on eliquis, trulicity, jardiance, ozempic, or a specialty drug get quietly repriced.
Network changes
Palm Beach County retirees pay close attention here. If your primary care doctor moved out of network, or if Bethesda, JFK, Wellington Regional, Palms West, Jupiter Medical, PBG Medical, Good Sam, or Boca Regional dropped off the network for 2027, that's a reason to switch. Cleveland Clinic Florida, Baptist Health South Florida, and Memorial Healthcare System all have plan-by-plan participation.
Supplemental benefits
Dental, vision, hearing, over-the-counter allowances, transportation, and fitness benefits (like SilverSneakers) all change year to year. Some 2027 plans cut back on dental in exchange for a higher OTC card, or vice versa. If you get a lot of value from a specific benefit, verify it's still there.
Premium and MOOP
Check the 2027 monthly premium and the maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) for medical services. Both can change materially, and the plan's Star Rating (which affects quality bonus payments and can hint at member satisfaction) often shifts too — CMS is streamlining Star Ratings starting with the 2027 measurement period.
Not sure what your ANOC really means?
Send me your ANOC letter (photo or PDF) and your list of medications and doctors. I'll flag the changes that matter for your household and run 2027 comps against every carrier available in your ZIP — free, no pressure. Most Palm Beach County clients hear back within 24 hours.
📞 Call (561) 560-88204. Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement — the snowbird question
Palm Beach County has one of the largest snowbird populations in the country, and 2027 doesn't change the fundamental split between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap). But the numbers matter a little differently this year:
- Medicare Advantage works best if you're in Florida year-round or 9+ months. Networks are local. Many $0-premium plans in Palm Beach and Broward include built-in Part D, dental, vision, and an OTC allowance. Standard 2027 MA MOOP for in-network care is capped at $9,350; combined in-and-out-of-network at $14,000.
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works best if you split time between Florida and up north — New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio are common — or if you have specific specialists at Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, or another top center outside Florida. Medigap plans work with any provider that accepts Medicare, anywhere in the U.S. Pair with a standalone Part D plan (2027 base premium $41.33).
Read our full guides: Medicare Advantage in Florida, Medicare Supplement in Florida, and Medicare Part D in Florida.
5. Turning 65 in 2027? Your Initial Enrollment Period rules didn't change
If you're turning 65 in 2027, your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a 7-month window: the 3 months before your 65th birthday month, the birthday month itself, and 3 months after. That has not changed. What has changed is the surrounding market — the 2027 plan lineup is different, so plans that were great for 2026 new-to-Medicare clients may not be the best pick anymore. See our turning 65 in Florida guide and the 6-month countdown checklist.
6. What Palm Beach County retirees specifically should watch
- Hospital network changes at the big PBC systems. Bethesda, JFK, Wellington Regional, Palms West, Jupiter Medical, PBG Medical, Good Samaritan, and Boca Regional each participate in different 2027 plan networks — check your ANOC and the plan's provider directory before renewing.
- Cleveland Clinic Florida (Weston/West Palm) participation. Some MA plans include Cleveland Clinic, others don't. If you use Cleveland Clinic, verify plan participation before AEP ends.
- Prescription formulary for common Florida senior drugs. Eliquis, Xarelto, Jardiance, Ozempic/Wegovy (per approved indication), Trulicity, Farxiga, and biologics for arthritis or autoimmune conditions all show frequent tier moves.
- MA plan Star Rating changes. CMS is removing several Star Ratings measures starting with the 2027 measurement period. A plan that was 4-star this year may look different next year — that affects both quality bonuses and, indirectly, benefits.
- City-specific plans. If you moved from Palm Beach Gardens to Boynton, from Wellington to Delray, or from Boca to Jupiter this year, your ZIP changes what plans are even available. See our Palm Beach County, Boca Raton, Jupiter, and Wellington pages.
My review checklist for every AEP client
- Open your ANOC and highlight any change in premium, MOOP, deductible, or supplemental benefit.
- List every medication you take, exact strength and dose. Check the 2027 formulary — not the 2026 one.
- List every doctor and hospital you actually use — primary care, cardiologist, endocrinologist, oncologist, orthopedist, urologist, and preferred hospital. Verify each on the 2027 provider directory.
- Run 2027 quotes against every carrier in your ZIP — usually Florida Blue, Humana, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Wellcare in Palm Beach and Broward. Compare total expected annual cost, not just monthly premium.
- Confirm your enrollment on or before December 7, 2026. Do not wait until the last day — HealthCare.gov and CMS systems slow down under load.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2027 Medicare Open Enrollment Period?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for 2027 coverage runs October 15, 2026 through December 7, 2026. Any changes you make during that window take effect January 1, 2027. There's also a Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP) from January 1 through March 31, 2027 that lets you switch MA plans or drop MA and go back to Original Medicare with a standalone Part D plan — but you can only make one change during that second window.
What is the new Part D out-of-pocket cap for 2027?
The Part D annual out-of-pocket cap increases to $2,400 in 2027, up from $2,100 in 2026 and $2,000 in 2025. Once you hit that cap on covered prescription drugs, you pay $0 for the rest of the calendar year. The cap is written into law by the Inflation Reduction Act and is indexed to drug-cost inflation each year — it's not going away.
How much is the Medicare Part D deductible in 2027?
The maximum standard Part D deductible rises to $700 in 2027, up from $615 in 2026. Not every plan charges the full standard deductible — some plans in Florida charge $0 or a lower amount for Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs — but the maximum a plan can charge for the defined standard benefit is $700 for 2027.
Are Medicare premiums going up in Florida for 2027?
The Part D base beneficiary premium rises to $41.33/month in 2027, up from $38.99 in 2026 — a 6% increase, the maximum allowed by law through 2029. Individual plan premiums vary widely; many Medicare Advantage plans in Palm Beach and Broward Counties still offer $0-premium options with built-in Part D. The Part B premium for 2027 will be finalized by CMS in November 2026.
Do I have to do anything if I like my current Medicare plan?
You should still review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) — the letter your carrier mails or emails every September. Plans often change formularies (drugs they cover), tier placements (how much you pay per drug), provider networks, and supplemental benefits from year to year. If nothing changed and you're still happy, no action is needed — your plan renews automatically for 2027. But "no action" after a big formulary change can cost thousands.