Medicare Open Enrollment Runs Through Dec. 7: Key 2027 Dates and Who Gets the One-Time $90 Part B Rebate
Medicare open enrollment runs Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2026, with 2027 coverage starting Jan. 1. Who qualifies for the one-time $90 Part B rebate paid in October.
In this article
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period started on Thursday, Oct. 15 and runs through Monday, Dec. 7, 2026. It is the main window each year to change Medicare health and drug coverage, and any change made now takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027. This month, about 20.8 million people in Original Medicare are also receiving a one-time $90 payment toward their Part B premium.
What you can change before Dec. 7
According to Medicare.gov, during open enrollment you can:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare.
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, with or without drug coverage.
- Join, drop or switch a stand-alone Medicare drug plan (Part D) if you have Original Medicare.
The plan has to receive your request by Dec. 7, so leave a few days of margin. Medicare’s Plan Finder has listed 2027 plans since Oct. 1, so you can compare premiums, covered drugs, pharmacies and doctors before deciding.
Plans can change their costs, drug lists and networks every year. That includes your current plan. Each plan sends members an Annual Notice of Change in the fall, and Medicare advises reading it before the deadline even if you plan to stay, because a drug you take today may move to a different cost tier or drop off the list in January.
Key Medicare dates for 2026 and 2027
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| On or around Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026 | Most $90 rebates paid by direct deposit |
| Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 | Open enrollment begins; Social Security starts answering payment-status calls |
| Later in October 2026 | Remaining $90 rebates mailed as paper checks |
| November 2026 | 2027 Part B premium and deductible expected from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) |
| Monday, Dec. 7, 2026 | Open enrollment ends |
| Friday, Jan. 1, 2027 | New coverage and 2027 costs take effect |
| Jan. 1 to Wednesday, March 31, 2027 | Medicare Advantage open enrollment: one plan change allowed for people already in Medicare Advantage |
The one-time $90 Part B rebate
The White House announced the payment on Oct. 2, 2026, and CMS published its rules the next day. CMS calls it the Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate. It is paid from the Medicare Improvement Fund, which the White House says Congress funded with $2 billion and which had not been used before.
| Question | Answer from CMS |
|---|---|
| How much | One payment of $90 |
| Who qualifies | People in Original Medicare Part B who live in the U.S., do not get Part B premium help from Medicaid, and do not pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) |
| How many people | About 20.8 million |
| Who does not qualify | Medicare Advantage enrollees, people whose premium is paid through Medicaid, people who pay IRMAA |
| How it is paid | Most by direct deposit from the Social Security Administration on or around Oct. 8; others by Treasury paper check later in October |
| Application | None; it is automatic |
| Questions about eligibility | 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) |
| Questions about payment status | Social Security, 1-800-772-1213, starting Oct. 15 |
The rebate does not change your monthly Part B premium. It is a single payment. The standard 2026 premium is $202.90, so the $90 covers less than half of one month.
Drug costs change on Jan. 1
For 2027, the annual cap on what you pay out of pocket for covered Part D drugs rises to $2,400, from $2,100 in 2026, according to Medicare.gov. The highest deductible a Medicare drug plan can charge rises to $700, from $615. Once you reach the cap, you pay nothing more for covered drugs for the rest of the year. The cap resets every January.
The 2027 Part B premium had not been announced as of Oct. 18. Our Social Security COLA story covers the 3.6% benefit increase and how premiums are deducted from January payments.
Before you decide
- List your prescriptions and check each plan’s drug list and pharmacy network for 2027.
- Confirm your doctors are in network if you are considering a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Compare total yearly costs, not only the monthly premium.
- Put Dec. 7 on your calendar, and allow a few days for the plan to process your request.
Frequently asked questions
When is Medicare open enrollment for 2027 coverage?
From Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2026. Your plan must receive your enrollment request by Dec. 7, and the change takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
Who gets the $90 Medicare rebate?
People enrolled in Original Medicare Part B who live in the U.S., do not get help with their Part B premium from Medicaid, and do not pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA). About 20.8 million people qualify, according to CMS.
Do Medicare Advantage members get the $90?
No. CMS says beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans are not eligible, even though most still pay a Part B premium.
Do I need to apply for the $90 rebate?
No. Most eligible people received a direct deposit from the Social Security Administration on or around Oct. 8, 2026. Others get a paper check from the Treasury later in October.
What if I miss Dec. 7?
If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change from Jan. 1 to March 31, 2027. Otherwise, changes generally have to wait for next year's open enrollment unless you qualify for a special enrollment period.
Sources
- Open Enrollment (Medicare.gov)
- Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate Frequently Asked Questions (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2026-10-03)
- Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Announces Medicare Improvement Fund Payments for Seniors (The White House, 2026-10-02)
- How much does Medicare drug coverage cost? (Medicare.gov)
- Understanding Medicare Advantage & Medicare Drug Plan Enrollment Periods (Medicare.gov)
