Medicare Annual Enrollment Period 2026: Choosing Your 2027 Coverage in Colorado
Your Medicare coverage deserves a second look.
Medicare plans can change every year, and so can your healthcare needs. Whether you're happy with your current coverage or considering something new, Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is an opportunity to review your options and make sure your coverage still works for you.
Changes to prescription drug coverage, healthcare provider networks, premiums, deductibles, and additional benefits can affect both your access to care and your out-of-pocket expenses.
At Mai Benefits, I help Colorado Medicare beneficiaries understand their options, compare available plans, and make informed coverage decisions.
No cost for my services. No obligation to enroll.
1Important Medicare Enrollment Dates for 2027
Your enrollment request must be received by the plan before the deadline. Waiting until the last minute may limit your opportunity to compare options and resolve questions.
If you are satisfied with your current plan and it continues to be offered, you generally do not need to re-enroll. However, reviewing your Annual Notice of Change is strongly recommended.
2What Can You Change During Medicare Annual Enrollment?
During October 15 – December 7, eligible Medicare beneficiaries can:
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Leave Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare.
- Join, switch, or drop a standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
Your options depend on your existing coverage and eligibility.
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) follows different enrollment rules. AEP does not automatically give you the right to purchase a Medigap policy without medical underwriting.
3What's Changing for Medicare in 2027?
Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage
Prescription drug coverage remains an important consideration when comparing Medicare plans. For 2027, key Part D figures include:
Once you reach the annual limit in qualifying out-of-pocket costs for covered Part D drugs, you pay $0 for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year.
Individual plans may offer lower deductibles, including $0.
Applies to a month's supply of each covered insulin product under Part D.
Most recommended adult vaccines covered under Part D are available without cost-sharing.
Actual prescription costs vary based on your medications, plan formulary, pharmacy, and coverage rules.
Medicare Part B Premiums and Deductibles
Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles are determined annually by the federal government. The official 2027 amounts should be confirmed through Medicare.gov once released.
Medicare Advantage members generally must continue paying their Medicare Part B premium, even when their Medicare Advantage plan has a $0 monthly premium.
Medicare Advantage Plan Changes
Medicare Advantage plans may change their benefits and costs from year to year, including:
- Monthly premiums and medical deductibles
- Primary care and specialist copays
- Hospital and outpatient costs
- Prescription drug formularies
- Provider and hospital networks
- Dental, vision, and hearing benefits
- Additional benefits and eligibility requirements
- Maximum out-of-pocket limits
Benefits and plan availability vary by ZIP code and county in Colorado.
4Your 5-Step Medicare Annual Enrollment Checklist
- Step 1
Review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
Your Medicare plan sends an Annual Notice of Change explaining how your coverage will change for the upcoming year.
Pay close attention to premiums, copays, deductibles, covered medications, and changes to benefits or provider networks.
- Step 2
Review your prescription medications
Prepare a list of your current medications, including names, dosages, and frequency.
Check whether each medication is covered under the plan's 2027 formulary, its drug tier, and whether prior authorization, step therapy, or quantity limits apply.
- Step 3
Confirm your preferred pharmacy
Not every pharmacy has the same pricing under every Medicare drug plan.
Compare preferred in-network pharmacies, standard in-network pharmacies, and available mail-order options.
- Step 4
Verify your doctors and hospitals
Confirm that your primary care provider, specialists, hospitals, and other frequently used facilities participate in the exact Medicare Advantage plan and network you're considering for 2027.
Provider networks can change annually.
- Step 5
Compare your total annual healthcare costs
Don't choose a plan based solely on its monthly premium. Consider:
- Monthly premiums
- Medical and prescription deductibles
- Prescription drug costs
- Primary care and specialist copays
- Hospital and outpatient expenses
- Expected healthcare utilization
- Annual medical out-of-pocket limits
The lowest-premium plan isn't always the most cost-effective plan for your healthcare needs.
Helpful Medicare Resources
Tap any card to open or close it.
What to Bring to Your Medicare Consultation
Prepare for your personalized Medicare coverage review.
A little preparation can make your Medicare consultation easier and more productive. Whether we're meeting virtually, by phone, or in person, having the following information available will help us compare plans based on your healthcare needs.
This checklist stays on your device only — nothing you check is saved or sent.
Understanding Medicare Special Needs Plans (D-SNP and C-SNP)
Learn about Medicare Advantage plans designed for specific healthcare needs.
Some Medicare Advantage plans are designed for individuals who meet specific eligibility requirements. These are called Special Needs Plans (SNPs).
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs)
Designed for eligible individuals who have both Medicare and Medicaid. In Colorado, Medicaid is called Health First Colorado.
Depending on eligibility and the plan, benefits may include:
- Coordinated healthcare services
- Prescription drug coverage
- Dental, vision, and hearing benefits
- Transportation to eligible medical appointments
- Additional supplemental benefits for qualifying members
Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs)
Designed for individuals with certain qualifying severe or disabling chronic conditions.
Examples may include:
- Diabetes
- Certain cardiovascular conditions
- Chronic heart failure
- Certain chronic lung disorders
These plans may offer specialized care coordination and provider networks.
Could a Special Needs Plan Be Right for You?
If you have both Medicare and Medicaid or a qualifying chronic condition, I can help you review available options and eligibility requirements.
Traveling With Medicare: Will Your Coverage Follow You?
Understand your Medicare coverage when traveling outside Colorado or internationally.
Whether you're visiting family, spending the winter in another state, or traveling internationally, it's important to understand how your Medicare coverage works away from home.
Original Medicare
Generally allows you to receive Medicare-covered services from healthcare providers throughout the United States who accept Medicare.
Medicare Advantage
Emergency and urgently needed care is generally covered when traveling within the United States, including outside your plan's network. Routine care may be subject to network restrictions or additional costs.
International Travel
Original Medicare generally does not cover medical care outside the United States, except in limited circumstances. Some Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans may offer limited foreign travel emergency benefits.
Before You Travel, Ask These Questions:
- Will my plan cover emergency care at my destination?
- Can I see a doctor for routine care while traveling?
- Are there out-of-network costs?
- Will my prescriptions be covered or available while away?
- Do I need additional travel medical insurance?
- What happens if I spend several months outside Colorado?
Let's Make Medicare Easier to Understand
Medicare coverage decisions can affect your finances, healthcare providers, prescriptions, and peace of mind. You don't have to navigate these decisions alone.
As an independent HealthMarkets insurance agent with more than 15 years of healthcare industry experience, I help Colorado Medicare beneficiaries understand their options and compare available plans based on their individual needs.
Consultations available in English and Vietnamese. No additional cost for my services. No obligation to enroll.
5Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare With a Supplement
Understanding the differences between these coverage options can help you make a more informed decision.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- Offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare
- Often uses provider networks
- May include prescription drug coverage
- May include dental, vision, hearing, or other benefits
- Has an annual limit on covered Part A and Part B out-of-pocket costs
- Costs and benefits vary by plan
Original Medicare + Medigap
- Original Medicare with a separate supplemental insurance policy
- Generally allows visits to any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare
- Usually requires a separate Part D plan for prescription coverage
- Typically does not include routine dental, vision, or hearing benefits
- Medigap helps pay certain Original Medicare cost-sharing amounts
- Medigap benefits are standardized by plan letter in most states
If you currently have Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement policy, carefully consider the consequences before switching to Medicare Advantage and canceling your supplement.
Although you can return to Original Medicare during an eligible enrollment period, you may not have a guaranteed right to purchase another Medigap policy.
Depending on your circumstances, medical underwriting may apply, and an insurance company may decline your application. Certain federal and Colorado protections may provide exceptions.
Always review your options before giving up existing Medicare Supplement coverage.
6How I Help Colorado Medicare Beneficiaries
Choosing Medicare coverage can feel overwhelming, especially when you're comparing multiple insurance companies, prescription formularies, provider networks, and benefit structures. My goal is to make the process easier to understand.
As an independent health and life insurance agent with HealthMarkets, I provide personalized Medicare guidance supported by more than 15 years of healthcare industry experience and graduate education in healthcare administration and business.
What to Expect During Your Medicare Coverage Review
Understand your healthcare needs
We'll discuss your doctors, specialists, medications, preferred hospitals, healthcare usage, and budget.
Compare available Medicare options
We'll review Medicare Advantage, prescription drug coverage, and Medicare Supplement options, as appropriate for your situation.
Understand costs and coverage
I'll help explain plan premiums, deductibles, copays, provider networks, and potential out-of-pocket expenses.
Get support beyond enrollment
My commitment doesn't end once you've selected a plan. I'm available to help answer coverage questions and assist you with navigating insurance-related concerns throughout the year.
My services come at no additional cost to you.
7Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule Your Complimentary 2027 Medicare Review
Make sure your Medicare coverage still fits your life.
Whether you're reviewing your current plan, comparing Medicare Advantage options, or exploring prescription drug coverage, I'm here to help you understand your choices.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week. If your complaint involves a broker or agent, be sure to include the name of the person when filing your grievance.
This website is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. The information on this page is general education, not advice about a specific plan.