Key dates for 2027 coverage
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| By September 30, 2026 | Your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan sends its Annual Notice of Change for 2027. |
| October 15, 2026 | Medicare open enrollment opens. |
| December 7, 2026 | Open enrollment closes. Changes start January 1, 2027. |
| December 31, 2026 | Last day to replace a plan that's ending without a gap. Hurricane Isaias disaster window ends. |
| January 1 to March 31, 2027 | Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: one change if you're in a Medicare Advantage plan. |
| February 28, 2027 | Special enrollment period ends for people whose plan isn't renewing. |
What you can change
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or back.
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
- Join, switch or drop a Part D drug plan.
For 2027, CMS lists 297 Medicare Advantage plans open to everyone in Florida and 11 standalone Part D plans. You can join only plans sold in the county where you permanently live, and the number varies a lot: Hillsborough County has 52 plans open to everyone, Monroe County 7. See the counties page.
Panhandle and Big Bend: the Hurricane Isaias window
Hurricane Isaias (FEMA DR-4955, incident period October 6 to 12, 2026) opened a disaster special enrollment period that runs through December 31, 2026. It helps people who live in, or rely on a helper in, an area covered by the declaration, and who missed a change they were eligible to make because of the storm. If that's you, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048). See the hurricane special enrollment period.
State retirees and snowbirds
- State Group Insurance retirees: the State's Open Enrollment for the 2027 plan year has ended, and December 7 doesn't reopen it. The State's group Medicare Advantage (MA-PD) plans are open year-round through People First. Ask People First before joining any outside plan. See Florida state retirees and Medicare.
- Snowbirds: the dates are the same wherever you are, but a Medicare Advantage plan must match your permanent home. If you're up north in the fall, check whether a Florida plan covers routine care there. See snowbirds and Medicare.
If your plan is ending
For 2027, four companies stop selling regular Medicare Advantage plans in some Florida counties, and others end some plans. At least 302,773 Floridians must choose new coverage. If you got a non-renewal letter, choose by December 31, 2026 to avoid a gap. See my plan is ending in 2027 and Florida plans ending in 2027.
To compare plans from the companies they work with, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent, or call 1-800-MEDICARE for information on all your options. Full details are on Medicare open enrollment in Florida.
Related questions
Can I change my plan after January 1?
One change from January 1 to March 31.
What is the Annual Notice of Change?
The letter to read before December 7.
Which companies are leaving Florida?
What CMS data shows for 2027.
Sources
- eCFR — 42 CFR 422.62, election of coverage under an MA plan
- Medicare.gov — Special Enrollment Periods (plan not renewed)
- CMS — Medicare Advantage and Part D Enrollment and Disenrollment Guidance, contract year 2027 (disaster SEP)
- FEMA — Florida Hurricane Isaias (DR-4955-FL)
- CMS — Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape files, contract year 2027 (plan counts)
- Florida Department of Management Services, MyBenefits — MA-PD plans for retirees
More questions in this guide
- Can I change my Medicare Advantage plan after January 1 in Florida?
- My Medicare Advantage plan is ending in 2027 in Florida. What do I do?
- Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare in Florida?
- What is the Annual Notice of Change letter from my Medicare plan?
- Which Medicare companies are leaving Florida in 2027?
Part of the guide: Medicare Open Enrollment in Florida (2027 Plans) · All questions
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I miss December 7?
Your current plan continues if it's renewing. After December 7 you can change only in the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31, if you're in a Medicare Advantage plan) or with a special enrollment period, such as when your plan is ending.
Does Medigap have an open enrollment in the fall?
No. Fall open enrollment covers Medicare Advantage and Part D plans only. Florida has no Medigap birthday rule or yearly switching right, so outside your first 6 months with Part B at 65 or a guaranteed-issue situation, a Medigap company can ask health questions.
When does my new plan start?
Any change you make between October 15 and December 7 starts January 1, 2027. If you make more than one change, the last one you make by December 7 counts.
Medicare in your Florida county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Miami-Dade · Broward · Palm Beach · Hillsborough · Orange · Duval · Pinellas · Lee · Polk · Pasco · Brevard · Volusia · Seminole · Sarasota · Osceola · Manatee · Lake · Marion · Collier · St. Lucie · All 67 counties →
