Medicare AEP 2027: Your Complete Florida Guide to Annual Enrollment
Compare Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Supplement plans risk-free with a licensed Florida agent — free, no-obligation, in English or Spanish.
📞 Call (786) 303-8065 — Free AEP ReviewWhat Is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs every year from October 15 to December 7, 2026, and is a separate, distinct period from the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which runs January 1 – March 31 and follows different rules. During AEP, Florida Medicare beneficiaries can switch Medicare Advantage plans, switch or enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan, move from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage (or back), or change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another. Any changes made during AEP take effect January 1 of the following year.
AEP is the single biggest Medicare enrollment window of the year — and the only time most beneficiaries can make plan changes without a qualifying life event. If your current plan raised its costs, dropped your doctor, or changed its drug formulary, AEP is your chance to fix it before January.
What You Can Do During AEP
Switch Medicare Advantage Plans
Move from one Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan to another to get better coverage, a lower premium, or a broader doctor network.
Enroll in or Change Part D
Join a standalone Part D prescription drug plan for the first time, or switch to a plan with better pricing for your current medications.
Switch Original Medicare ↔ Medicare Advantage
Move from Original Medicare into a Medicare Advantage plan, or leave Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare (with a Medigap policy, if eligible).
Review Dual-Eligible (D-SNP) Options
If you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, AEP is a good time to confirm you’re in the D-SNP plan that best matches your benefits and providers.
Who Especially Shouldn’t Skip AEP This Year
Every Medicare beneficiary can benefit from a quick AEP review, but it matters most if any of the following apply to you:
Your Plan Is Leaving the Market
Florida Medicare Advantage plans are non-renewed or exit certain counties almost every year. If yours is one of them, you’ll be defaulted into Original Medicare on January 1 unless you actively choose a new plan.
You Had a New Diagnosis or Prescription
A new medication or condition can change which plan’s formulary and specialist network actually serves you best — worth a fresh comparison rather than assuming last year’s plan still fits.
You Moved Within Florida
Even a move within the state can put you outside your current plan’s service area or change which doctors are in-network.
You Lost Employer or Retiree Coverage
If group coverage ended this year, AEP may be your first real opportunity to choose Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage that fits your needs going forward.
AEP vs. Medicare Advantage OEP vs. Special Enrollment Period
Florida Medicare beneficiaries often confuse AEP with the other enrollment windows. Here’s the difference:
| Enrollment Period | When | Who Can Use It | What You Can Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Enrollment (AEP) | Oct 15 – Dec 7 | Everyone with Medicare | Any Medicare Advantage or Part D change |
| MA Open Enrollment (OEP) | Jan 1 – Mar 31 | Current Medicare Advantage members only | One plan switch, or return to Original Medicare |
| Special Enrollment (SEP) | Varies | Those with a qualifying life event | Depends on the event — see our SEP guide |
| Initial Enrollment (IEP) | 7 months around your 65th birthday | First-time Medicare enrollees | First enrollment into Parts A, B, C, or D — see our Turning 65 guide |
Medicare Star Ratings — and the 5-Star Special Enrollment Period
Medicare rates every Medicare Advantage and Part D plan on a 1-to-5 star scale each year, based on quality and member satisfaction. If a 5-star-rated plan is available in your Florida county, you can switch into it using the 5-Star Special Enrollment Period, which runs December 8 through November 30 of the following year — largely outside of AEP.
Star ratings measure things like customer service, chronic condition management, and member complaints. A plan’s rating can change from year to year, so it’s worth checking during AEP even if you’re not planning to switch — a low or dropping star rating is a signal to look more closely at your options.
AEP for Snowbirds & Seasonal Florida Residents
Florida’s large seasonal population creates AEP questions that don’t come up in most states:
HMO vs. PPO Matters More
If you split time between Florida and another state, an HMO plan generally won’t cover routine care outside its Florida network. A PPO — or Original Medicare with a Medigap policy — travels with you.
Check the Service Area Carefully
Some Medicare Advantage plans only cover specific Florida counties. Make sure your plan covers wherever you’re actually living, not just where you’re registered.
Emergency Care Is Always Covered
All Medicare Advantage plans must cover true emergencies nationwide — the network restriction applies to routine and non-emergency care.
AEP Is the Time to Fix a Mismatched Plan
If you enrolled in an HMO without realizing the travel limitation, AEP is your annual opportunity to switch to a plan that better fits a two-state lifestyle.
Part D Late Enrollment Penalty — What to Know Before AEP
If you went 63 days or more without Medicare drug coverage (or other “creditable” drug coverage) after first becoming eligible, Medicare adds a permanent late enrollment penalty to your Part D premium. The penalty is roughly 1% of the national base beneficiary premium for every month you went without coverage, and it applies for as long as you have Part D.
If you’ve been putting off Part D enrollment, AEP is a good time to stop the penalty from growing further — the longer you wait, the more it costs permanently. If you’re unsure whether you have a penalty or how large it is, our agents can help you check during a free consultation. See our creditable coverage guide for more detail.
Your Florida AEP Checklist
A few minutes of review before December 7 can save you hundreds of dollars in 2027. Here’s what to check:
- 1 Check your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)Your plan mailed this in September — it lists any 2027 changes to premiums, copays, and covered drugs.
- 2 Re-check your prescription drug listFormularies change every year. A drug covered in 2026 may not be covered — or may cost more — in 2027.
- 3 Confirm your doctors are still in-networkNetworks shift annually. Don’t assume your current providers are still covered under your plan next year.
- 4 Compare your total costs, not just the premiumA $0 premium plan can still cost more overall once you factor in copays, deductibles, and drug tiers.
- 5 Talk to a licensed local agent before December 7A free SFIB consultation compares every plan available in your Florida county — not just one carrier’s options.
How a Free SFIB AEP Review Works
Here’s what to expect when you call for a Medicare plan comparison:
Every SFIB consultation is free and carries no obligation to enroll — we’re compensated by the carrier you choose, not by you.
Licensed Florida agents are available Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–8:00 PM.
What Happens After You Enroll
Confirmation
You’ll typically receive written confirmation from your new plan within about two weeks of enrolling.
New Member ID Card
Your plan will mail a new ID card before your coverage start date of January 1 — bring it to your first appointment of the new year.
Coverage Begins January 1
Regardless of when during AEP you enroll — October 15 or December 7 — your new coverage always starts January 1.
You’re Not Locked In Forever
If something isn’t right, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan 1 – Mar 31) gives current MA members one more chance to switch.
Quick Medicare Glossary
A few terms that come up often during AEP:
- MOOP (Maximum Out-of-Pocket)
- The most you’ll pay out of pocket for covered services in a plan year before the plan covers 100% of costs.
- Formulary
- The list of prescription drugs a plan covers, organized into cost tiers.
- Star Rating
- Medicare’s 1-to-5 scale rating a plan’s quality and member satisfaction, updated annually.
- MA-PD
- A Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug (Part D) coverage bundled in.
- Creditable Coverage
- Drug coverage considered at least as good as Medicare’s standard Part D benefit — having it can help you avoid the late enrollment penalty.
- IRMAA
- An income-related monthly surcharge added to Part B and Part D premiums for higher-income beneficiaries — see our IRMAA guide for details.
Free AEP Plan Reviews Across Florida
SFIB offers free, no-obligation AEP plan comparisons from our Miami and Palm Bay offices, and by phone anywhere in Florida:
¿Prefiere hablar en español? Visite nuestra página de Medicare en Español para asistencia durante el período de inscripción anual.
Medicare AEP 2027 — Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period in 2027?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period for 2027 runs from October 15, 2026 through December 7, 2026. Any plan changes made during this window take effect January 1, 2027.
Is AEP the same as Medicare Open Enrollment?
No. AEP (October 15 – December 7) and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, or OEP (January 1 – March 31), are two separate, non-interchangeable enrollment windows with different rules. AEP is open to all Medicare beneficiaries and allows a full range of plan changes. OEP is limited to people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and allows only one plan switch or a return to Original Medicare.
Can I switch Medicare Advantage plans during AEP?
Yes. During AEP you can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, move from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, move from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare, or join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan.
What happens if I miss the December 7 AEP deadline?
If you miss AEP, you generally must wait until the next enrollment window — either the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan 1 – Mar 31, limited to current MA members) or a Special Enrollment Period if you qualify due to a life event such as moving or losing other coverage.
Is there a cost to get help choosing a plan during AEP?
No. SFIB’s Medicare consultations are always free, with no obligation. We’re compensated by the insurance carriers, not by you, so our comparisons are unbiased.
Do I need to do anything during AEP if I’m happy with my current plan?
Not necessarily, but it’s still worth a quick review. Plans change their premiums, drug formularies, and provider networks every year, so a plan that was a good fit in 2026 may not be the best value in 2027.
Can dual-eligible (Medicare and Medicaid) beneficiaries make changes during AEP?
Yes. Dual-eligible beneficiaries can use AEP to review or switch Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP), in addition to the Special Enrollment Periods generally available to them throughout the year.
Does SFIB offer AEP help in Spanish?
Yes, our agents are fully bilingual and can walk you through AEP plan comparisons in English or Spanish, in person in Miami or Palm Bay, or by phone anywhere in Florida.
What is a Medicare 5-star plan, and can I switch anytime?
Medicare rates plans on a 1-to-5 star scale each year for quality and satisfaction. If a 5-star plan is available in your county, you can switch into it using the 5-Star Special Enrollment Period, which runs December 8 through November 30 — largely outside the standard AEP window.
I split my time between Florida and another state. How does AEP work for me?
If you’re a seasonal Florida resident, an HMO Medicare Advantage plan generally won’t cover routine care outside its Florida network. A PPO plan, or Original Medicare paired with a Medigap policy, typically travels better. AEP is the time to switch if your current plan doesn’t fit a two-state lifestyle.
What is the Part D late enrollment penalty, and can AEP help me avoid it?
If you went 63 days or more without Medicare drug coverage or other creditable coverage after becoming eligible, Medicare adds a permanent penalty to your Part D premium. Enrolling during AEP won’t erase a penalty already accrued, but it stops it from growing further if you’ve been delaying enrollment.
Don’t Wait Until December 7 — Review Your Plan Now
Free, no-obligation Medicare AEP comparison with a licensed Florida agent — English or Spanish.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. We are not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. This is an advertisement for insurance.
