Medicare Annual Enrollment 2027: What Houston-Area Seniors Need to Know Before October 15

By Natalie Contorno Lee, Licensed Insurance Broker — Houston, TX

If you live in Harris, Fort Bend, or Montgomery County and have Medicare, the next few weeks matter. Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026, and any changes you make take effect January 1, 2027.

Whether you live in Katy, Sugar Land, Spring, The Woodlands, Cypress, Pearland, or inside the Loop, the best decisions usually come from preparing before October 15, not rushing in the final days of the enrollment window.

Here's what to know and what to do now.

Key Dates for the 2027 Plan Year

What You Can Do During Annual Enrollment

During AEP, you can:

• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
• Move from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
• Move from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
• Join, switch, or drop a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan

An important note about switching back to Original Medicare: if you leave a Medicare Advantage plan for Original Medicare, you may not be guaranteed the right to buy a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy without answering health questions. Review this carefully before making a switch.

If you're happy with your coverage and nothing important has changed, you may not need to do anything. Your plan will generally renew automatically. But "doing nothing" should be a decision you make on purpose, after reviewing what's changing.

Step 1: Read Your Annual Notice of Change

If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan, your plan should mail your Annual Notice of Change by September 30. This document explains what will be different in 2027, such as:

• Monthly premiums
• Deductibles and copays
• Prescription drug coverage and drug tiers
• Pharmacy networks
• Doctor and hospital networks
• Extra benefits such as dental, vision, or hearing

Many people set this letter aside. Don't. It's the single best starting point for your annual review.

Not sure what you're looking at? Learn more about how Medicare works on our Medicare page.

Step 2: Confirm Your Doctors and Hospitals

Houston has one of the largest medical communities in the country, and that also means provider networks can change. Over the past year, some Houston-area health systems and insurance companies have had contract disputes that temporarily affected in-network access for patients.

Before AEP, make a list of:

• Your primary care doctor
• Any specialists you see
• The hospital system you prefer
• Any clinics or medical groups you rely on

Then confirm each one will be in network for your plan in 2027, not just this year. Online directories are not always up to date, so it's a good idea to call your doctor's office directly and ask, "Will you accept my specific plan next year?"

Step 3: Review Your Prescriptions

Prescription coverage can change from year to year, even if you keep the same plan. For 2027, a few federal Part D limits are changing:

• The annual out-of-pocket cap on covered Part D drugs rises from $2,100 to $2,400.
• The maximum standard Part D deductible rises from $615 to $700.
• The $35 monthly limit on covered insulin continues.

Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches $2,400 in 2027, you generally pay nothing more for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year.

Bring an updated medication list, including dosages and your preferred pharmacy, to any plan review. A drug that moves to a different tier or requires prior authorization can change your total yearly costs significantly.

Step 4: Know Which Numbers Aren't Final Yet

You may see a 2027 Part B premium figure circulating online. As of now, those numbers are projections. CMS typically announces the official Part B premium and deductible in the fall. For reference, the 2026 standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month, with a $283 annual deductible.

Be cautious of any call, mailer, or ad that claims to have "final" 2027 plan pricing before October 1.

Step 5: Protect Your Personal Information

AEP is also a busy season for Medicare scams. Keep these tips in mind:

• Medicare won't call, text, or email you unexpectedly asking for your Medicare number.
• Do not share your Medicare number or date of birth by text message.
• If you're unsure who's contacting you, hang up and call a number you already know is legitimate.
• Share personal information only with a licensed broker you know and trust, and only through a secure method.

A Houston-Area Checklist Before October 15

Before your review, gather:

• Your Annual Notice of Change
• Your current Medicare and plan ID cards
• A list of your doctors, specialists, and preferred hospital
• An updated medication list, with dosages
• Your preferred pharmacy
• Notes on any health changes, upcoming procedures, or travel plans

Why Work With a Local, Independent Medicare Broker?

Comparing plans on your own can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options across Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. An independent broker can compare options from multiple insurance companies and help you understand how each one fits your doctors, prescriptions, and budget. As an independent brokerage, we may not offer every plan available in your area.

At Alpha Lee Insurance, we're based in the Houston area and work with clients in Katy, Sugar Land, Cypress, Spring, and throughout Greater Houston. Our approach is education-first: we'll help you understand your ANOC, review what's changing, and walk through your options in plain language, without pressure.

Learn more about working with a Medicare broker in Houston.

Join a Free Medicare 101 Seminar

Want to learn the basics before making a decision? Our free Medicare 101 seminars are educational sessions covering how Medicare works, what's changing for 2027, key enrollment dates, and the questions to ask before you choose coverage.

Check upcoming seminar dates or contact us to reserve a spot.

Schedule Your Personalized Review

Don't wait until December. Appointments fill quickly during Annual Enrollment.

• Call: (214) 856-9096
• Email: info@alphaleeinsurance.com
• Book online: Schedule a 15-minute review

Bring your Annual Notice of Change, medication list, and doctor list, and we'll review everything together.

2027 figures reflect information published by CMS as of September 2026 and may change. Always confirm current information at Medicare.gov. Alpha Lee Insurance is an independent insurance brokerage and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.