Every fall, Las Vegas mailboxes fill up with Medicare postcards and the TV ads run nonstop. This year, it pays to look past the noise. Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026, and several changes kick in on January 1.

Drug plans have a higher out-of-pocket cap. Fifteen widely used drugs, including Ozempic, get new Medicare-negotiated prices. And many people will have fewer plans to choose from. Here’s what’s changing, how to review your plan, and where to get local help in Las Vegas.

When is Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027?

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. Any change you make takes effect on January 1, 2027, according to CMS.

During this window, you can:

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or back again
• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
• Join, switch, or drop a Medicare drug plan (Part D)

If your plan is coming back for 2027 and you’re happy with it, you don’t have to do anything. It renews on its own. But plans can change their costs and coverage every year, so a quick review is worth your time.

7 Medicare changes for 2027 that Las Vegas seniors should know

1. The Part D out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400

In 2027, the most you’ll pay out of pocket for covered Part D drugs is $2,400, up from $2,100 in 2026. Once you hit the cap, you pay nothing more for covered drugs for the rest of the year, according to Medicare.gov.

2. Drug plan deductibles can go as high as $700

No Medicare drug plan can set a deductible above $700 in 2027, up from $615. Some plans have a lower deductible or none at all. Covered insulin is still capped at $35 for a one-month supply, with no deductible.

3. New negotiated prices for 15 drugs, including Ozempic

Starting January 1, 2027, Medicare’s negotiated prices take effect for 15 more drugs. The list includes Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy, plus Trelegy Ellipta, Breo Ellipta, Janumet, Tradjenta, Linzess, Xtandi, Ibrance, Pomalyst, Ofev, Calquence, Austedo, Xifaxan, Vraylar, and Otezla. CMS estimates the new prices could save people with Medicare drug coverage about $685 million in out-of-pocket costs in 2027.

What you pay still depends on your plan’s copays and coverage rules. Make sure each of your drugs is on your plan’s 2027 drug list.

4. You’ll have fewer plans to choose from

The average person with Medicare can choose from 35 Medicare Advantage plans in 2027, down from 39 in 2026, according to KFF. Fewer choices means some plans are ending.

If your plan won’t return in 2027, it will send you a notice. You then get a Special Enrollment Period from December 8 through the last day of February to pick a new plan, per Medicare.gov. If you don’t choose one, you’ll be moved to Original Medicare, which doesn’t include drug coverage.

5. Medicare Advantage premiums dip, drug plan premiums tick up

CMS projects the average Medicare Advantage premium will drop from $14.37 a month in 2026 to $12.00 in 2027. The average stand-alone Part D premium is projected to rise from $35.09 to $36 as a temporary federal premium program ends.

Averages won’t tell you what your plan costs. Your plan’s Annual Notice of Change, mailed in September, lists your exact 2027 premium and copays.

6. The $50 GLP-1 Bridge runs through 2027

Medicare’s GLP-1 Bridge started July 1, 2026, and runs through December 31, 2027. If you have Part D and meet the medical criteria, you can get certain weight-loss drugs, such as Wegovy, for a $50 copay for a one-month supply. That $50 doesn’t count toward your Part D deductible or out-of-pocket cap. Your doctor has to request approval, and you can check eligibility on Medicare.gov.

7. Telehealth from home continues, and prior authorizations go digital

Through December 31, 2027, you can get Medicare telehealth services anywhere in the U.S., including your home. Starting January 1, 2027, Medicare Advantage plans may be able to process prior authorization requests electronically, so you could see decisions in your patient portal, according to Medicare’s 2027 fact sheet.

How to review your Medicare plan before December 7

A solid plan review takes about an hour. Work through this checklist:

1. Read your Annual Notice of Change. It shows exactly what changes in your plan for 2027.
2. List your doctors and prescriptions. Include each drug’s name, dose, and how often you take it.
3. Check every drug on the 2027 drug list. Note its tier and any prior authorization rules.
4. Confirm your network. Make sure your doctors, hospitals, and pharmacy are in the plan for 2027.
5. Compare the total yearly cost. Add premiums, deductibles, and copays, and check the plan’s out-of-pocket maximum.
6. Read the fine print on extras. Dental, vision, and hearing benefits vary a lot from plan to plan.
7. Make any change by December 7.

Thinking about leaving Medicare Advantage?

You can switch back to Original Medicare during Open Enrollment. Before you do, plan for the gaps. Original Medicare has no yearly out-of-pocket limit, and it doesn’t include drug coverage.

Many people add a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy. Outside your Medigap open enrollment period and other guaranteed-issue situations, an insurer can turn you down or charge more based on your health, according to Medicare.gov. Talk with a broker before you drop your current plan.

Nevada’s Medigap birthday rule

Already have a Medigap policy? Nevada gives you a yearly chance to switch. Under Nevada’s AB 250, you get a window that starts on the first day of your birthday month and lasts at least 60 days. During it, you can buy a Medigap plan with the same or fewer benefits, from your current insurer or a new one, without health underwriting, according to the Nevada Division of Insurance.

Where to get Medicare help in Las Vegas

You don’t have to sort this out alone. Las Vegas residents have three good options:

• A local broker. At B&B Solutions, Suziliene McDonald compares plans from the insurance companies we represent and checks them against your doctors, prescriptions, and budget. Plan reviews are at no cost to you. Call 725.895.7444 or visit 6655 W. Sahara Avenue Ste. A-210 Las Vegas, NV. 89146.
• Nevada Medicare Assistance Program (MAP). Nevada’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, unbiased counseling. Call 800-307-4444 statewide or 702-616-4926 in Southern Nevada, per the Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division.
• Medicare. Compare every plan in your ZIP code at Medicare.gov/plan-compare or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Missed December 7? You may still have options

• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (January 1 to March 31): If you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change. Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan, or return to Original Medicare and join a drug plan.
• Special Enrollment Periods: Certain life events, like moving or losing other coverage, let you change plans outside the usual windows.
• Turning 65? Your Initial Enrollment Period lasts 7 months: the 3 months before the month you turn 65, your birthday month, and the 3 months after, per Medicare.gov.

Medicare Open Enrollment FAQs

When is Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage?

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026. Changes you make during this window take effect on January 1, 2027. If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one more chance to switch plans between January 1 and March 31, 2027.

Do I need to do anything if I like my Medicare plan?

No. If your plan is renewing for 2027, you stay in it automatically. Still, read your Annual Notice of Change. Premiums, copays, drug lists, and doctor networks can change every year, and a plan that fit you in 2026 may cost more in 2027.

What is changing in Medicare Part D for 2027?

The yearly out-of-pocket cap for covered Part D drugs rises to $2,400, and the highest allowed deductible rises to $700. Negotiated prices for 15 drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, take effect January 1, 2027. Covered insulin stays capped at $35 for a one-month supply.

Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare?

Yes. You can switch during Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, or during Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment, January 1 to March 31. Plan for drug coverage and a possible Medigap policy first, since Medigap insurers can often review your health history outside guaranteed-issue situations.

Does a Medicare plan review with a broker cost anything?

Not at B&B Solutions. Our Medicare plan reviews are at no cost to you. We look at your doctors, prescriptions, and budget, then explain your options in plain English. Call 725.895.7444 to set up a time that works for you.

About B&B Solutions. Brains and Beauty Solutions is a Las Vegas Medicare broker and senior care concierge. Founder Suziliene McDonald helps seniors compare Medicare plans and connects families with local help for housing, medication costs, dementia care, and veterans’ resources. Meet Suziliene or see our services.

Sources

• CMS: Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs Expected to Remain Stable in 2027 (Sept. 28, 2026)
• Medicare.gov: How much does Medicare drug coverage cost?
• CMS: Negotiated prices for the 2027 selected drugs (fact sheet)
• KFF: Medicare Advantage plan options for 2027 (Oct. 1, 2026)
• Medicare.gov: Your Medicare in 2027: What’s New & Changing
• Medicare.gov: Weight loss drugs and the GLP-1 Bridge
• Medicare.gov: Special Enrollment Periods
• Nevada ADSD: Medicare Assistance Program (MAP)
• Nevada Division of Insurance: AB 250 (Medigap birthday rule) guidance

Brains and Beauty Solutions is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This article is general information, not personal insurance advice. Plan availability, costs, and benefits vary. Last reviewed October 18, 2026.