Medicare Annual Enrollment for 2027 in Illinois

Medicare annual enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027. Plans change every year, including premiums, drug lists, pharmacy networks, and doctor networks. Here is what to check before December 7.

2027 Medicare dates

Window	What you can do
Oct 15 to Dec 7, 2026	Join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan
Jan 1 to Mar 31, 2027	If you are in Medicare Advantage: make one switch to another Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare
Any time	Apply for a Medicare Supplement (health questions may apply)

What changes in 2027

• Part D out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400 (from $2,100 in 2026).
• Maximum Part D deductible rises to $700 (from $615).
• Part B premium and deductibles for 2027 are usually announced by CMS in the fall. We will update this page when they are published.
• Check your plan’s Annual Notice of Change for network, drug list and copay changes.

Thinking about leaving Medicare Advantage for a Medigap plan?

You can drop an Advantage plan during annual enrollment, but line up the Medigap plan first. Outside guaranteed-issue situations, Medigap carriers can ask health questions and decline you. Federal rules guarantee your right in some cases, such as when you joined Medicare Advantage for the first time within the last 12 months, or your plan leaves your area. Apply for the supplement, wait for approval, and then switch.

Illinois’ Birthday Rule

Illinois gives Medigap policyholders age 65 to 75 a 45-day window each year, starting on their birthday, to switch to a plan with equal or lesser benefits from their current insurer or an affiliated company, without medical underwriting. See our Illinois Birthday Rule guide.

Your annual enrollment checklist

• Are all your prescriptions on next year’s drug list, at the same tier?
• Are your doctors and hospitals still in network?
• Is your preferred pharmacy still preferred?
• What is the plan’s maximum out-of-pocket for 2027?
• Did dental, vision, or hearing extras change?

Frequently asked questions

When is Medicare open enrollment for 2027?

The annual enrollment period runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.

What is the Part D out-of-pocket cap in 2027?

$2,400 for covered drugs, up from $2,100 in 2026. The maximum standard deductible rises to $700.

Can I switch Medicare Supplement plans during annual enrollment?

You can apply any time, but annual enrollment does not give you a guaranteed right to a Medigap plan. Outside a guaranteed-issue situation, the carrier can ask health questions and decline you. Illinois’s birthday rule, described above, is an exception.

What if I miss December 7?

If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one change between January 1 and March 31, either to another Advantage plan or back to Original Medicare.

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, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (in Illinois, the Illinois Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) at 1-800-252-8966) to get information on all of your options. Illinois Health Agents is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.