Medicare Open Enrollment: what to check before December 7

What changes in 2027 drug costs

Medicare drug plans have limits set by law. For 2027, no drug plan can have a deductible above $700 (it was $615 in 2026). Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered Part D drugs reaches $2,400 in 2027 ($2,100 in 2026), you pay nothing more for covered drugs for the rest of the year. Covered insulin costs no more than $35 for a month’s supply. See Medicare.gov’s drug cost page.

Your own costs depend on the plan you pick, which drugs are on its list, and the pharmacy you use. That’s why comparing every year matters even if you liked your plan.

A 5-step yearly checkup

1. Read your plan’s Annual Notice of Change. Plans send it each fall. Look for changes to premiums, deductibles, copays, the drug list and the provider network.
2. List every drug, dose and pharmacy. Enter them in the Medicare Plan Finder to see your estimated yearly cost for each plan, not just the premium.
3. Check your doctors and hospitals. If you’re in or considering Medicare Advantage, confirm they’re in the plan’s network for next year.
4. Compare total yearly cost. Add premiums, the deductible and expected copays. A low premium can still cost more if your drugs aren’t covered well.
5. Get a second opinion for free. A SHIP counselor can walk through the comparison with you at no cost.

Medigap in Illinois

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies help pay costs Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Your best time to buy is your 6-month Medigap open enrollment period, which starts when you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During that window, companies can’t refuse to sell you a policy because of your health. See Medicare.gov’s Medigap page.

Illinois also has a yearly “birthday” window. According to the Illinois SHIP Medicare Choices Guide, people ages 65 to 75 who already have a Medigap policy have 45 days after their birthday each year to buy a policy with equal or lesser benefits from the same company or an affiliate, without health questions. Ask SHIP how it applies to you before you drop a policy.

Help paying for drugs

If your income and resources are limited, you may qualify for Extra Help, which lowers Part D costs. Medicare.gov lists the 2026 limits as annual income below $23,940 for an individual or $32,460 for a married couple living together, with resource limits too. You can apply online through Social Security or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

A prescription discount card, such as the free RxGo card, can sometimes show a lower cash price for a drug your plan doesn’t cover. But Medicare.gov is clear that discount cards aren’t Medicare drug coverage: a purchase made with one instead of your plan won’t count toward your deductible or the yearly out-of-pocket limit. It isn’t a replacement for a Medicare plan, and going without drug coverage can mean a late enrollment penalty later. Compare both prices with your pharmacist before you choose.

Watch for Medicare scams

Medicare and SHIP won’t call you out of the blue to sell a plan or ask for your Medicare number. Don’t give your Medicare number to anyone offering free gifts or “new cards.” To report suspected fraud in Illinois, the Senior Medicare Patrol is at 1-800-699-9043 (ask for “SMP”), as listed in the SHIP guide.