Key Points
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Medicare’s open enrollment period is underway through early December.
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During open enrollment, you can move from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
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You may want to make a switch if your costs are climbing, your favorite doctors are leaving, or you require different benefits.
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There’s a reason October is an important month for older Americans. Not only is it typically when a cost-of-living adjustment is announced for Social Security, but it’s also when Medicare’s open enrollment period begins.
Each year, Medicare enrollees can make changes to their coverage between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7. And if you’re on Medicare Advantage, you have an opportunity to choose a different plan that may be a better fit for 2027. Here are a few signs it’s time to consider alternate coverage.
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1. Your costs are increasing
When you enroll in Medicare Advantage, you can sometimes snag a $0 premium plan. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other costs to look at. You still have to worry about deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums.
If any of your Medicare Advantage plan costs are increasing in 2027, that’s one reason to consider moving over to a different plan. But don’t just focus on one single cost. Instead, look at the big picture.
A rise in premiums alone may not be enough to justify moving plans in 2027. But if additional costs are increasing, it could pay to see if there’s a more economical alternative.
2. You’re losing providers
One big drawback of Medicare Advantage is that these plans typically limit you to a specific provider network. If you go outside your plan’s network, your care may not be covered.
Unfortunately, plan networks aren’t set in stone. Doctors can join and leave. And if a good number of your preferred providers are ditching your current plan’s network for 2027, that’s reason alone to look for a new Medicare Advantage plan.
If you don’t feel comfortable with your providers, you may be less inclined to stick to your recommended appointment schedule. That could lead to health problems and more expensive bills. So it’s worth trying to find a plan that lets you keep the doctors you know and trust.
3. You need different benefits
Medicare Advantage plans commonly offer supplemental benefits in addition to what original Medicare provides. But if your health-related needs have changed recently, you may require a different set of benefits in 2027 that your current plan doesn’t offer.
For example, say you’ve been diagnosed with a condition that can be managed by diet. If your current Medicare Advantage plan doesn’t offer meal services but another one does, given your diagnosis, that second plan may be a better fit.
The Medicare Advantage plan you choose could have a big impact on your health and finances. If any of these signs apply to you, it’s worth exploring different options for 2027.
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