Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. Whatever you pick in that window starts January 1, 2027.

Most years, plenty of people in Columbia can look over their plan, see that nothing big changed, and leave it alone. 2027 is not one of those years. Insurers are cutting benefits, some plans are closing outright, and the Part D rules are shifting again. If you haven't looked at your plan in a while, this is the year to do it.

Here's what's changing, what it means for people in Columbia and Richland and Lexington counties, and a short checklist to work through before the deadline.

The dates that matter

• Late September: Your plan mails your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). This is the letter that tells you what's different next year. Read it. Here's how to read your Annual Notice of Change.
• October 1: Plans can start marketing 2027 coverage, and 2027 plan details show up on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder around this time.
• October 15: Annual Enrollment Period opens.
• December 7: Last day to make a change for January 1. Don't wait until the first week of December. That's when everyone's calling.
• January 1 through March 31, 2027: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment. If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one switch to a different Advantage plan or back to Original Medicare.

What's changing for 2027

1. Some Medicare Advantage plans are going away

Several large insurers are closing plans or pulling out of counties for 2027. Humana alone has said its plan exits will affect roughly 600,000 members nationwide, and UnitedHealthcare has dropped plans in a number of states. We've written a full breakdown of the Humana plan exits and what they mean in South Carolina.

If your plan is ending, you'll get a non-renewal letter. You won't lose Medicare. If you do nothing, you'll generally land back on Original Medicare with no drug plan, and that's the outcome to avoid. You get a Special Enrollment Period, and you may also get a guaranteed right to buy certain Medicare Supplement plans without answering health questions. That second part is a big deal, and it has a deadline. More on that below.

2. Plans that stay are trimming benefits

Even if your plan isn't closing, it may not look the same in January. An industry survey found nearly 70% of insurers expected their 2027 Medicare Advantage benefits to be less rich. The cuts we're seeing most often:

• Part B "giveback" amounts reduced or removed
• Smaller dental allowances
• Higher specialist copays
• Higher drug copays
• Higher maximum out-of-pocket limits

A $0 premium plan can still cost you more next year if your specialist copay doubles and you see a cardiologist every month. Check the copays for the doctors you actually see, not just the premium.

3. The Part D out-of-pocket cap goes up to $2,400

For 2026 the most you could pay out of pocket for covered drugs in a year was $2,100. For 2027 it rises to $2,400. The standard deductible also goes up, to as much as $700.

If you take an expensive brand name or specialty drug, you can hit that cap in the first couple of months of the year. The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread those costs out in monthly payments instead of taking the hit all at once in January and February. Ask about it if you're on a high-cost drug.

4. Standalone drug plan premiums may move more than usual

Medicare has been running a temporary program that held down premiums on standalone Part D plans. That program ends after 2026. If you have Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement and a separate drug plan, compare your Part D options this fall. Your current plan may not be the cheapest one for your drugs anymore.

5. Lower negotiated prices on 15 more drugs

Starting January 1, 2027, Medicare's negotiated prices take effect for a second group of 15 drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, plus drugs for asthma, COPD, diabetes, and cancer. What you pay still depends on your plan's formulary and tier. Run your drugs through each plan instead of assuming.

Why it's different in Columbia

Medicare Advantage networks are built county by county. Columbia sits across two counties, and the big hospital systems here don't all line up with the same plans. Before you pick anything for 2027, check:

• Prisma Health (Richland, Baptist, Baptist Parkridge) if that's where your doctors are
• Lexington Medical Center and its physician network, especially if you live on the west side of the river
• MUSC Health Columbia, including the former Providence campuses
• Dorn VA if you're a veteran. VA care and Medicare work separately, and that affects which plan makes sense

Moving between Richland and Lexington counties can also change which plans you can have. If you moved this year, tell your agent.

The Medigap question you only get to answer once

If your Medicare Advantage plan is ending, you may have a short window to buy a Medicare Supplement without answering health questions. In South Carolina, outside of that kind of window, Medigap companies can generally ask about your health and turn you down.

That matters if you've been thinking about going back to Original Medicare with a Supplement. A plan exit could be your one clean chance to do it. The guaranteed right usually has to be used within 63 days after your Advantage coverage ends, so don't sit on the letter. Here's more on the Medigap health question trap.

Your 2027 open enrollment checklist

1. Find your ANOC letter and read the "Summary of Important Costs" page.
2. Check whether your plan is ending. Look for a non-renewal letter.
3. List every doctor you see and confirm each one is in network for 2027. Call the office too, not just the website.
4. List every prescription with the dose and your pharmacy.
5. Compare your drugs across plans with 2027 formularies, not 2026.
6. Check specialist copays and the maximum out-of-pocket for 2027.
7. If you get a giveback or dental allowance now, check whether it's still there.
8. If you're on Medigap, compare your Part D plan and check for a Supplement rate increase.
9. Make your decision before December 7.

Get a free 2027 plan review

We're an independent Medicare agency based in Lexington, working with people all over Columbia and the Midlands. We'll look at your doctors, your prescriptions, and your budget against the 2027 plans, and tell you straight whether to switch or stay put. There's no cost, and your premium is the same whether you enroll through us or on your own.

Call 803-920-8827 or schedule your free Medicare review. Appointments fill up fast after October 15, so earlier is better.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is Medicare open enrollment for 2027?

The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. Changes you make take effect January 1, 2027.

What happens if I miss the December 7 deadline?

Your current plan generally renews for 2027 as long as it's still offered. If you're in Medicare Advantage, you get one more chance to switch from January 1 through March 31, 2027.

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

The cap is $2,400 for 2027, up from $2,100 in 2026. Once you reach it, you pay nothing more for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year.

What is the Part D deductible for 2027?

The standard deductible can be as high as $700 in 2027. Some plans have a lower deductible or none at all, so compare.

My Medicare Advantage plan is ending in 2027. What do I do?

Don't ignore the letter. You have a Special Enrollment Period to pick a new plan, and you may have a guaranteed right to buy certain Medicare Supplement plans without health questions. Talk to an agent before the deadlines pass.

Will I lose Medicare if my plan is discontinued?

No. You keep Medicare. If you don't choose a new plan, you'll generally be moved to Original Medicare without drug coverage, which can leave you with gaps and a possible late penalty for Part D.

Are Medicare Advantage benefits getting cut in 2027?

Many plans are trimming benefits for 2027, including giveback amounts, dental allowances, and copays. Your Annual Notice of Change shows exactly what changed in your plan.

Do I need to review my plan if I'm happy with it?

Yes. Plans change every January. Your doctors, drug coverage, and copays can all shift even if the plan name stays the same.

Is Ozempic cheaper under Medicare in 2027?

Medicare's negotiated price for Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus takes effect January 1, 2027. What you pay still depends on your plan's formulary and whether the drug is covered for your condition.

Do Medicare Advantage plans in Columbia cover Prisma Health and Lexington Medical Center?

Some do and some don't, and it can change year to year. Check your specific doctors and hospitals against each 2027 plan before you enroll.

I have a Medicare Supplement. Do I need to do anything during open enrollment?

Your Supplement doesn't change during open enrollment, but your separate Part D drug plan can. Compare drug plans every fall, especially for 2027 when standalone drug plan premiums may shift more than usual.

Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to a Medicare Supplement during open enrollment?

You can drop Advantage and return to Original Medicare during open enrollment. Getting a Supplement is the hard part. In South Carolina, Supplement companies can usually ask health questions unless you have a guaranteed issue right, such as when your Advantage plan is ending.

How do I get help reviewing my 2027 Medicare options in Columbia?

Call Mauldin Insurance Group at 843-509-2462 or request a free Medicare review online. We'll compare 2027 plans for your doctors and prescriptions at no cost.