Comparing Medicare Advantage Plans for 2027: An AEP Game Plan

Whatever plan you pick between October 15 and December 7 this fall becomes your coverage on January 1, 2027. That's a longer runway than most people realize — which is exactly why it's worth comparing plans properly this year rather than re-enrolling on autopilot or chasing the flashiest ad.

1. Start with what's actually changing for 2027

Carriers file new benefit designs, provider networks, and drug formularies every year. Your current plan's 2027 version may not look like its 2026 version — same plan name, different fine print. Your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) is where that shows up first; read it before assuming "no news is good news."

2. Re-check your doctors and pharmacy against 2027 networks

Networks are re-filed annually too. A provider who was in-network for 2026 isn't guaranteed to be in-network for 2027, even under the same plan. Confirm directly with the plan or the provider's office rather than relying on last year's card.

3. Run your actual prescriptions through each plan's 2027 formulary

Pull your current medication list and check it against each candidate plan's formulary for next year — not just "covered or not," but which tier, since that's what drives your real copay.

4. Build a simple side-by-side, not a stack of brochures

Put your top 2–3 candidate plans in one table with these rows:

• Monthly premium
• Deductible (medical and drug, if separate)
• Copays for primary care, specialist, and urgent care visits
• Drug tier for each of your regular prescriptions
• Extra benefits you'd actually use (dental, vision, hearing, fitness)
• Maximum out-of-pocket limit

Seeing everything in one place makes trade-offs obvious in a way that reading three separate plan summaries never does.

5. Weigh the star rating — but don't let it override fit

A plan's star rating is a useful quality signal, and it's worth a glance. But a highly rated plan that drops your cardiologist is still the wrong plan for you. Fit with your actual doctors and medications comes first.

6. Set your own deadline before December 7

December 7 is hard — there's no grace period once it passes. Give yourself a personal cutoff in mid-to-late November so a real comparison doesn't turn into a rushed, last-minute guess.