Today Starts Open Enrollment: Here Are the Things to Remember
Today starts open enrollment. Here are the things to remember. See our last 8 posts for more information.
From today, October 15, through December 7, you can change how Medicare works for you in 2027. Over the past week, we’ve walked through everything you need to make that choice on purpose. Here’s the one-page version.
1. Your Plan Choice Decides How You See Your Doctor
Original Medicare lets you see any doctor who accepts Medicare, with no networks or referrals. Medicare Advantage plans, especially HMOs, route your care through an in-network gatekeeper. Read more: Medicare Open Enrollment: Why Your Plan Choice Decides Your Doctor.
2. Know Your Dates
- Oct 15 to Dec 7: make any change; the last one counts
- Jan 1: new coverage starts
- Jan 1 to Mar 31: one more change if you’re in Medicare Advantage
- Medigap has no annual window. Check it before you switch.
Read more: Medicare Open Enrollment Dates You Can’t Afford to Miss.
3. The Four Parts, in One Line Each
- Part A: hospitals
- Part B: specialists, labs, imaging, outpatient care
- Part C: Medicare Advantage, a private plan that replaces A and B
- Part D: prescriptions
Read more: Medicare Parts A, B, C and D, Explained Like a Human.
4. Medigap Fills the Gap
Original Medicare has no out-of-pocket maximum. A Medigap supplement covers most of the 20% you’d otherwise owe. Plan G is the most popular, and the best time to buy is when you’re first eligible. Read more: What Is Medigap? A Plain-English Guide to Medicare Supplements.
5. The DPC-Friendliness Scorecard
- Green: Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D
- Yellow: Medicare Advantage PPO
- Red: Medicare Advantage HMO
Read more: Is Your Medicare Plan DPC-Friendly? A Doctor’s Scorecard.
6. HMOs and DPC Don’t Mix
An HMO requires its own in-network primary care doctor for referrals, so you’d be paying for two doctors and seeing one. Read more: Why Medicare Advantage HMOs and Direct Primary Care Don’t Mix.
7. Medicare Covers the Big Things. DPC Covers You.
Paired with Original Medicare, a direct primary care membership adds unhurried visits, same or next-day access, direct texting with your doctor and coordinated care. Read more: Original Medicare + Direct Primary Care: The Combo That Works.
8. Do Things in the Right Order
Read your Annual Notice of Change, list your doctors and medications, decide how you want primary care to work, check Medigap before leaving Medicare Advantage, keep Parts B and D, and get unbiased help. Read more: Your Medicare Open Enrollment Checklist.
Need Help?
For help choosing a specific plan, HICAP offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling in California at 1-800-434-0222. For help understanding how direct primary care would work with the plan you’re considering, learn about our membership or call us at 858-429-0099. That’s what we’re here for.
This post is for general education and isn’t insurance advice. Revivify doesn’t sell insurance, and direct primary care is not insurance.
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