Medicare Open Enrollment

Medicare Open Enrollment happens every year from October 15 - December 7. This is the time when you should review your current Medicare plan and compare it with other plans. If you make changes, they will take effect on January 1 of the coming year.

Medicare plans can change each year, so it’s important to review your options during open enrollment to make sure you have the best plan for your personal needs.

Medicare changes that will affect people in 2027

For 2027, there are big changes happening. A number of Medicare plans will no longer be available, plan premiums and other cost sharing will increase, provider networks are changing, covered prescription drugs are changing, and more.

Close to 400,000 people in Minnesota will be affected by insurance companies leaving the state or specific counties. Some insurance companies are reducing the number of Advantage plans they offer, leaving certain counties or completely leaving Minnesota. You can see what Advantage plans are offered in your ZIP Code by using the Medicare Plan Finder tool.
More counties have Cost plans available. People will be able to enroll in Cost plans in seven additional counties for 2027. You can see if Cost plans are offered in your ZIP Code by using the Medicare Plan Finder tool.
For the first time, some Advantage plans have enrollment caps. There are Advantage plans that will limit, or cap, the number of people who can enroll in a specific plan. Enrollment caps will be displayed on affected plans in the Medicare Plan Finder tool.
New Medigap Open Enrollment Periods. Due to changes in Minnesota law, people who have never had or applied for Medigap coverage can purchase a Medigap policy without medical underwriting. There are age and other eligibility restrictions and some people may have to pay a premium surcharge.

It’s more important than ever to review your Medicare coverage for the coming year. But there is no need to panic. You have time to review your options and decide for yourself what plan will work best for you.

Review your ANOC

If you’re currently on a Medicare plan, each fall you’ll receive an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which outlines any changes in coverage, costs, etc. that will be effective in January. Use the information to help you decide if you should make a plan change. If you can’t find your ANOC, call your plan to get a copy.

Gather your health care-related information

To make things easier, gather the following items:

A list of your prescription medications with their dosage amounts
Your Medicare card
Any other plan card for your health coverage
The name of your preferred pharmacy
The names of your medical providers

How Minnesotans can use the Medicare Plan Finder tool videos

Use the Medicare Plan Finder

It is much easier to review your Medicare plan options if you create an account on the Medicare Plan Finder. While you can always do a general plan search without creating a personalized account, with your own account you’ll be able to do more. You’ll not only see your plan options, but you’ll be able to see your current Medicare plan and to save your prescription drug list into your profile.

If you create your own personal account, you’ll need to have a valid email address and access to a computer or cell phone. For added security, Medicare will use two-factor authentication (they send a code to you that you’ll have to enter before accessing your personalized information).
If you don’t have email address or a computer or cell phone, you’ll have to use the general search.

The federal Medicare Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov is the place to go to check out your plan options. Here you can find out:

What Medicare Advantage plans, Cost plans, and Part D plans are available in your area
Prescription coverage and estimated drug costs
If you qualify for help with your prescription drug costs
Monthly premiums and yearly out-of-pocket costs
Doctor, hospital and pharmacy networks
Benefits and coverage rules
Links to plan documents, such as formularies and Summaries of Benefits
Quality and customer service ratings from current plan members
If there is an enrollment cap for an Advantage plan

You can review your plan options within the Plan Finder and make changes to your enrollment. If you need help, you can chat with Medicare staff.

After setting up a personal account – what to do next

Click Find health & drug plans.
Next, open up the account option on the left side of the page.
Log into your account with your username and password.
- If you have forgotten your username or password, click the forgot your username or password link. You’ll need to provide your Medicare number, last name and date of birth.
After logging in, you can view your account information including your current plan, current list of prescription drugs (that you can edit), and much more.
Make sure your preferred pharmacy is listed, as well as your preferred medical providers. Once that is updated, select Continue to view plans.
At the top of the page are the filter options. Select Providers, if your providers are “must have”. Click Apply. This will bring up the plans that the provider(s) participates with.
Please note: Medicare recommends that you call you plan to verify your providers participate with the plan. Participating providers can change at any time.
Select the plans you are interested in and select Plan Details, then select Add to compare. This will bring plan results that meet the filters you have selected. Review these options.
After review of plans and making decision about what plan to enroll in, select Enroll and complete the plan enrollment.
When you have completed the enrollment, you will receive an enrollment verification code. Make sure to save this in case you encounter any problems with your plan enrollment.

Help is always available

You can chat with Medicare staff while you’re using the Medicare Plan Finder. You can find the chat in the upper right corner of the Plan Finder homepage.
You can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to get help directly from Medicare. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You can also contact Minnesota Aging Pathways Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can reach them via chat at https://mn.gov/aging-pathways/ or by phone at 800-333-2433.

The choice is yours

Remember, you do not need to panic. Take the time to review your options and decide what plan will work best for your needs. Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 – December 7 each year.