Medicare AEP & Marketplace Open Enrollment 2027: What You Need to Know

Fall is an important time of year for health insurance. Both Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) and the Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Period (OEP) give individuals and families an opportunity to review their current coverage and make changes for the upcoming year.

Plans, premiums, provider networks, prescription drug coverage, and benefits can change from year to year. Even if you're happy with your current coverage, reviewing your options can help make sure your plan still fits your healthcare needs and budget for 2027.

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7

Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026.

During Medicare AEP, eligible beneficiaries can make several changes to their coverage, including:

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan

• Switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare

• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another

• Join, change, or drop a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan

Changes made during AEP generally take effect January 1, 2027.

Why Review Your Medicare Coverage Every Year?

Your healthcare needs may change—but Medicare plans can change too.

A plan that worked well for you in 2026 may have different costs, benefits, drug coverage, pharmacies, or provider networks in 2027. That's why an annual review can be valuable.

When reviewing your Medicare options, consider questions such as:

Are your doctors still in the plan's network?

Are your prescriptions still covered, and have their costs changed?

Have the plan's premiums, deductibles, copays, or maximum out-of-pocket costs changed?

Are there other available plans that may better fit your healthcare needs?

The goal isn't simply to find the plan with the most advertised benefits. It's to find coverage that makes sense for your individual situation.

Marketplace Open Enrollment Begins November 1

For individuals and families who purchase health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, Open Enrollment begins November 1, 2026 for 2027 coverage.

Marketplace coverage can be particularly important for people who:

• Don't receive affordable health insurance through an employer

• Are self-employed or own a small business

• Retired before becoming eligible for Medicare

• Recently lost employer-sponsored health coverage

• Need individual or family health insurance

Depending on household income and other eligibility requirements, some consumers may qualify for financial assistance that can reduce the cost of Marketplace coverage.

Because premiums, subsidies, provider networks, deductibles, and prescription coverage can change, it's important to compare your options rather than automatically renewing your current plan.

Medicare or Marketplace? Understanding the Difference

Medicare and Marketplace insurance serve different populations.

Medicare generally provides coverage for people age 65 and older and certain younger individuals who qualify because of disability or specific medical conditions.

Marketplace plans provide individual and family health insurance for people who don't have Medicare and need private health coverage.

If you're approaching age 65, retiring, losing employer coverage, or experiencing another major life transition, understanding how these programs interact can be especially important.

Medicare & Marketplace Enrollment: Don't Wait Until the Last Minute

Enrollment season can become busy quickly.

Gathering your information ahead of time can make reviewing your options easier. Before your appointment, consider putting together:

• Your current insurance information

• A list of your doctors and healthcare providers

• Your prescription medications

• Your preferred pharmacies

• Any anticipated healthcare needs for the upcoming year

Having this information available can help us compare plans based on what matters most to you.

Let Couvillier Advisors Help You Review Your Options

Health insurance doesn't have to be something you figure out alone.

At Couvillier Advisors, we help clients understand their coverage options and compare plans based on their individual healthcare needs, prescriptions, providers, and budget.

Whether you're reviewing your Medicare coverage during AEP or shopping for individual or family coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, we're here to help you understand your choices.

Medicare AEP: October 15 – December 7, 2026

Marketplace Open Enrollment: Begins November 1, 2026

If you'd like help reviewing your options for 2027, contact Couvillier Advisors today to schedule your enrollment review.

Serving Nashville, Tennessee and clients in states where properly licensed.

This information is provided for educational purposes and is not intended as a complete description of Medicare or Marketplace eligibility, benefits, or enrollment rules. Plan availability, costs, benefits, provider networks, prescription drug coverage, and eligibility may vary. Medicare beneficiaries should review official plan documents and Medicare.gov for complete information.