Every fall, my phone starts ringing the week the plan letters arrive. Medicare annual enrollment in October is when my clients on Marco Island sit down with their mail and ask me one thing: should I stay or switch? The window opened October 15 and closes December 7, 2026. This year, a few big network changes hit Collier County on January 1, 2027.
I’m Michele Sanchez. I’ve helped neighbors from Old Marco to Isles of Capri through this season for years, and here’s what I tell each of them.
TL;DR
- Medicare annual enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026. New coverage starts January 1, 2027.
- October is the best month to act, since your Annual Notice of Change and the 2027 plans are both out.
- Part B has no fall sign-up. AEP covers Medicare Advantage and Part D only.
- NCH and Lee Health change which plans they accept in 2027, so check your doctors.
What Is the Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period?
The Medicare annual open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. During those weeks, you can join, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage or Part D drug coverage. Your choice starts January 1. AEP, the Annual Election Period, and fall open enrollment all name this same window.
Don’t mix it up with the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. That one runs January 1 to March 31, and only current Advantage members can use it. At Michele Sanchez Insurance Agency, I walk Marco Island clients through AEP so the deadline never sneaks up on them.
Why Is Medicare Annual Enrollment in October So Important?
October is when you finally hold every piece of information you need, and the clock is already running. Here’s the timeline we share at Michele Sanchez Insurance Agency with Marco Island clients:
- By September 30: Your plan mails your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC).
- Early October: 2027 plans post on Medicare Plan Finder.
- October 15: AEP opens.
- December 7: AEP closes, just 54 days later.
December rarely works out well. Agent calendars fill up, doctors’ offices call back slowly, and many snowbird neighbors are just unpacking after the drive south. Starting now gives you time to check doctors, compare drug costs, and fix mistakes.
What Can You Change During the Medicare AEP Enrollment Period?
The Medicare AEP enrollment period lets you change your Medicare Advantage plans or Part D coverage. It doesn’t open Part B sign-up or guarantee you a Medigap policy.
Here’s the quick view I hand clients at my Marco Island office:
| Change | Allowed during AEP? | What to know |
| Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage | Yes | You need Part A and Part B first |
| Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare | Yes | Add a Part D plan for drug coverage |
| One Advantage plan to another | Yes | With or without drug coverage |
| Join, switch, or drop Part D | Yes | Skipping drug coverage can trigger a late penalty |
| Buy a Medigap policy | Not part of AEP | Florida insurers can ask health questions |
| Sign up for Part B | No | Uses IEP, GEP, or SEP |
Does Medicare Part B Have an Annual Enrollment Period?
No. The fall window doesn’t apply to Part B. You sign up through one of three other periods:
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): Seven months around your 65th birthday.
- General Enrollment Period (GEP): January 1 to March 31, with coverage starting the next month and a late penalty attached.
- Special Enrollment Period (SEP): Eight months after work or employer coverage ends, whichever comes first.
Here’s why it matters this fall. A Medicare Advantage plan requires both Part A and Part B, so Part A alone won’t get you in during AEP. Marco Island retirees ask me about this every season. If your Part B status feels unclear, call Michele Sanchez Insurance Agency for Medicare enrollment help.
What’s Changing for Medicare in 2027?
For the 2027 plan year, Part D costs go up, Part B is projected to rise, and average Medicare Advantage premiums are projected to drop.
| Item | 2027 Amount | Status |
| Part D standard deductible | $700 (up from $615) | Final |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,400 | Final |
| Part D base beneficiary premium | $41.33 | Final |
| Part B monthly premium | $209.50 | Projected |
| Part B deductible | $292 | Projected |
| Average Medicare Advantage premium | $12.00 (down from $14.37) | Projected |
That $41.33 figure comes from CMS’s 2027 Part D fact sheet. CMS uses it to set premiums and late penalties, not as your monthly bill. The Part B numbers come from the Medicare Trustees Report. CMS confirms final amounts in November, and I’ll update this post then.
Your ANOC shows your actual 2027 cost here in Collier County, and I’ll go through it with you at Michele Sanchez Insurance Agency on Marco Island.
What’s Happening With Medicare Advantage in Collier County?
Florida loses more Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 than any other state, and two local health systems are changing which plans they take. Reports based on CMS data show Medicare Advantage in Florida dropping from 611 plans to 560.
Here’s what clients on Marco Island should know:
- NCH in Naples announced it will stop accepting HealthSpring and Wellcare Advantage plans on January 1, 2027.
- Lee Health said its hospitals and doctors will leave the UnitedHealthcare network that same day. That includes Advantage plans.
Network disputes sometimes settle in December. Check Plan Finder, call your doctor’s office, and read your ANOC line by line. Michele Sanchez Insurance Agency runs these network checks for Marco Island clients every fall.
Your Medicare Annual Enrollment October Checklist
You’ll finish this list in about 30 to 45 minutes. Grab a coffee, your ANOC, and your pill bottles.
- Open your Annual Notice of Change and circle changes to premiums, copays, and the maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP).
- Write down every prescription and dose.
- List your doctors and hospital, whether that’s NCH, Lee Health, or Physicians Regional.
- Note your pharmacy, including mail order.
- Compare 2027 plans and star ratings on Medicare Plan Finder.
- Summer up north? Compare PPO vs. HMO networks, since HMOs usually cover only emergencies and urgent care away from home.
- Ask each doctor’s office, “Do you take this plan in 2027?”
- Decide by early December and keep your confirmation letter.
If your ANOC says your plan is not renewing, call Michele Sanchez Insurance Agency on Marco Island right away. That letter changes your options.
What Happens If You Miss December 7?
Missing December 7 doesn’t always lock you in, but your choices shrink fast. These options stay open:
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (January 1 to March 31): One switch to another Advantage plan or back to Original Medicare.
- 5-Star Special Enrollment Period: One move into a 5-star rated plan, if your area has one.
- Other SEPs: Moving, losing coverage, or qualifying for Extra Help.
Do nothing, and a renewing plan carries over with its 2027 changes. A discontinued plan drops you into Original Medicare with no drug coverage. Leaving Advantage? Medigap insurers in Florida can ask health questions and turn you down unless you hold a guaranteed issue right. Get approved for Medigap before you drop your current plan.
At Michele Sanchez Insurance Agency, I tell Marco Island clients the same thing every year: the safest move happens before the deadline.
Where Can Marco Island Residents Get Free Medicare Help?
You’ve got two free options in Collier County, plus my office.
Florida SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) offers free, unbiased counseling at 1-800-963-5337 or floridashine.org. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE any time. A quick scam warning: Medicare won’t cold-call you for your Medicare number, and neither will a real agent. Hang up and report it.
Want a second set of eyes on your ANOC? I’m right here on Marco Island, a short drive from Collier Boulevard. Call Michele Sanchez Insurance Agency at (239) 682-8567.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AEP apply to Medicare Part B?
No. AEP covers Medicare Advantage and Part D. Part B sign-up happens during your Initial Enrollment Period, the January 1 to March 31 General Enrollment Period, or a Special Enrollment Period.
What happens if I do nothing during Medicare open enrollment?
A renewing plan keeps you enrolled with its 2027 changes. A plan that ends moves you to Original Medicare without drug coverage.
Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
Yes, in a few cases. Advantage members get one switch from January 1 to March 31, and SEPs cover events like moving.
When do AEP changes take effect?
Changes made between October 15 and December 7, 2026 start January 1, 2027.
Is there a penalty for missing Medicare annual enrollment?
Missing AEP carries no penalty by itself. Going 63 days or more without creditable drug coverage triggers a lasting Part D late penalty.
Where can I get free Medicare help on Marco Island?
Florida SHINE offers free counseling at 1-800-963-5337. Michele Sanchez Insurance Agency on Marco Island reviews plans with Collier County residents at (239) 682-8567.
Is AEP the same as Medicare open enrollment?
Yes. Both names describe the October 15 to December 7 window. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is a separate January to March window.
Don’t Let December 7 Sneak Up on You
Medicare annual enrollment in October gives you the calmest shot at a well-checked 2027 decision. Your ANOC is here, plans are posted, and you still have weeks to compare.
If you live on Marco Island, in Naples, or anywhere in Collier County, call Michele Sanchez Insurance Agency at (239) 682-8567.
Warmly,
Michele Sanchez
