2027 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Dates
The Medicare annual enrollment period opens on Oct. 15 and runs through **Dec.
7**, with all changes taking effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
Because benefit terms and plans can shift annually, reviewing your current coverage ensures it continues to meet your healthcare and prescription needs.
What You Can Change During Enrollment
During this open enrollment window, current Medicare beneficiaries have several options to adjust their healthcare and drug coverage:
- Switch between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Switch between different Medicare Advantage plans.
- Join, switch, or drop a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
General Enrollment and Initial Windows
If you missed signing up for Medicare Part A or Part B when you were first eligible, a general enrollment period is available from Jan. 1 to March 31, 2027.
The standard initial enrollment period is a seven-month window centered around your 65th birthday or your initial eligibility month.
Free Assistance and Resources for Beneficiaries
Navigating healthcare options can be complex, but several free resources are available to help Washington residents and American beneficiaries understand their choices:
- Medicare Official Tools: Review plans directly through Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
- Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA): Call 800-562-6900 on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or submit an online message for personalized guidance.
- Washington State Insurance Commissioner’s Office: Provides a free "jump-start toolkit" covering Medicare processes and policy details on its official website.
