Should You Change Your Medicare Plan for 2027? 7 Things Phoenix Residents Should Review
Medicare Open Enrollment is approaching, and you may be wondering whether you should keep your current Medicare coverage or make a change for 2027.
If your current plan worked well this year, it can be tempting to simply let it continue. But Medicare plans can change from year to year, and your own healthcare needs may have changed too.
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. During this period, people with Medicare can make certain changes to their Medicare health and prescription drug coverage for 2027.
Before deciding whether to keep or change your current coverage, here are seven things Phoenix Medicare beneficiaries should review.
1. Read Your Annual Notice of Change
If you're enrolled in a Medicare plan, you should receive an Annual Notice of Change, often called an ANOC, each fall.
Don't toss it into the mail pile.
This document explains changes to your plan's coverage, costs, and other details that will take effect in January.
Even if you don't intend to change plans, reviewing your ANOC can help you avoid unexpected changes when 2027 begins.
Look carefully at changes involving:
Premiums
Deductibles
Copayments and coinsurance
Prescription drug coverage
Provider networks
Plan benefits
Other coverage rules
If something important is changing, Medicare Open Enrollment gives you an opportunity to explore other available options.
2. Check Whether Your Doctors Are Still in Network
If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, your provider network can be an important consideration.
Make a list of the healthcare providers you want to continue seeing in 2027, including your:
Primary care physician
Specialists
Preferred hospital
Outpatient facilities
Other healthcare providers
Then verify how those providers work with the coverage you're considering.
Don't assume that because your doctor worked with your plan in 2026, everything will remain the same for 2027.
This can be especially important for Phoenix residents who regularly see specialists or use particular healthcare systems.
3. Review Every Prescription You Take
Prescription drug coverage deserves its own review.
Make a current list of your medications, including the name, dosage, and frequency.
Then consider:
Is the medication covered?
Has its formulary placement changed?
What could you pay for it?
Does the plan have restrictions or requirements?
Is your preferred pharmacy participating?
Would another pharmacy affect your cost?
Your prescriptions may also have changed during the past year.
The coverage that made sense when you chose your current plan may not fit your needs as well if you're now taking different medications.
4. Compare Your Total Healthcare Costs
A low monthly premium can certainly be attractive, but it doesn't tell you everything about what your healthcare may cost.
When reviewing Medicare coverage for 2027, consider the bigger picture.
Depending on the type of coverage, look at:
Monthly premiums
Deductibles
Doctor visit costs
Specialist costs
Hospital costs
Prescription costs
Coinsurance
Out-of-pocket limits
Other coverage requirements
Think about how you actually use healthcare.
Someone who sees several specialists and takes multiple prescriptions may evaluate a plan very differently from someone who rarely needs medical care.
5. Think About How Your Healthcare Needs Have Changed
A lot can happen in a year.
Maybe you've started seeing a specialist. Perhaps you're taking a new medication. You may have received a new diagnosis, completed treatment, or started needing more frequent medical care.
Your Medicare coverage should fit your current circumstances.
Before Open Enrollment, ask yourself:
Am I seeing different doctors than I was last year?
Am I taking different prescriptions?
Am I using healthcare more or less frequently?
Do I anticipate procedures or treatment in 2027?
Have my priorities changed?
These questions can help you identify which aspects of your Medicare coverage deserve the most attention.
6. Understand Your Medicare Coverage Options
Medicare beneficiaries generally have two primary ways to receive their Medicare coverage: Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage.
Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A and Part B. You can also choose a separate Medicare drug plan for Part D coverage and may be able to purchase Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap, to help with certain out-of-pocket costs.
Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C, is offered through Medicare-approved private insurance companies. Medicare Advantage plans provide Part A and Part B benefits, and most include Part D prescription drug coverage. Plans may also offer additional benefits.
The two approaches work differently when it comes to provider access, costs, prescription coverage, supplemental coverage, and other plan rules.
There isn't one option that works best for everyone.
Your healthcare needs, doctors, prescriptions, budget, travel, and personal preferences can all play a role in determining what type of coverage you want to consider.
7. Don't Wait Until December 7 to Start Comparing
Medicare Open Enrollment ends December 7, 2026.
That doesn't mean December 7 should be the day you start thinking about your coverage.
Medicare recommends beginning to compare your current Medicare health or drug coverage with 2027 options starting October 1.
Starting early gives you time to gather your information, ask questions, compare available options, and make a decision without feeling rushed.
If you decide to make a change during Medicare Open Enrollment, your new coverage generally begins January 1, 2027.
Should Everyone Change Their Medicare Plan for 2027?
No.
The purpose of reviewing your Medicare coverage isn't to find a reason to change it.
It's to make sure you understand what you currently have and whether it still fits your needs for the coming year.
After reviewing your coverage, you may decide you're satisfied with your current option.
Or you may discover changes to costs, providers, prescriptions, or benefits that make you want to compare alternatives.
Either way, you've made the decision with current information rather than simply assuming nothing changed.
Can You Switch Medicare Plans During Open Enrollment?
Depending on your current coverage and eligibility, Medicare's Annual Open Enrollment Period may allow you to:
Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
Move from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
Move from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare
Join, switch, or drop Medicare prescription drug coverage
Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 each year.
Keep in mind that changing from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare does not automatically guarantee that you can purchase any Medicare Supplement policy you want. Medigap enrollment rights and underwriting rules can depend on your circumstances.
This is one reason to understand the complete implications of a change before making it.
Looking for Medicare Help in Phoenix?
Medicare Open Enrollment can involve a lot of information, especially when you're trying to compare provider networks, prescriptions, premiums, deductibles, benefits, and different types of coverage.
You don't have to sort through everything alone.
Daisy Nadolski is a licensed insurance agent serving Phoenix and clients throughout Arizona. She helps Medicare-eligible adults understand and compare available Medicare insurance options based on their individual healthcare needs.
Daisy can help you review your current situation and understand the differences between available options at no cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Changing Medicare Coverage
When can I change my Medicare plan for 2027?
Medicare's Annual Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. Certain Medicare health and drug coverage changes can be made during this period for coverage beginning January 1, 2027.
Do I have to change Medicare plans every year?
No. You do not have to change coverage simply because it's Open Enrollment. However, reviewing your current coverage each year can help you understand any changes and determine whether it still fits your needs.
What is the Medicare Annual Notice of Change?
The Annual Notice of Change explains changes to your Medicare plan's coverage, costs, and other details for the upcoming year. Medicare plans send this notice each fall.
Should I check my prescriptions every year?
Yes. Prescription drug coverage can change, and your medications may have changed as well. Review your current prescriptions and how they're covered before deciding on your 2027 coverage.
Can a Medicare insurance agent in Phoenix help me review my options?
Yes. A licensed insurance agent can help you understand and compare Medicare coverage available to you. Daisy Nadolski assists Medicare beneficiaries in Phoenix and throughout Arizona at no cost to them.
Review Your Medicare Coverage Before December 7
You don't need to change Medicare coverage simply because Open Enrollment has arrived.
But you should understand what you're keeping.
Review your 2027 costs, doctors, prescriptions, coverage, and healthcare needs before Medicare Open Enrollment ends on December 7.
If you'd like personalized help understanding available Medicare options, Daisy Nadolski, a licensed insurance agent in Phoenix, helps Medicare beneficiaries compare plans and find the best option for their particular needs.
