Medicare Open Enrollment Starts October 15: 7 Things Utah Residents Should Check for 2027

Medicare Open Enrollment is almost here. From October 15 through December 7, people with Medicare can review their coverage and make changes for 2027. Any change made during this period generally takes effect January 1, 2027.

If your current coverage continues to meet your needs, you may not need to make a change. However, Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans can change their premiums, copayments, covered medications, pharmacies and provider networks from one year to the next. That makes an annual review worthwhile—even when you have been happy with your plan.

What is changing in Utah?

CMS reports that 490,235 Utah residents are enrolled in Medicare. For 2027, Utah will have 51 Medicare Advantage plans available statewide, compared with 55 in 2026. The statewide average Medicare Advantage plan premium is projected to decrease slightly, from $9.59 in 2026 to $9.16 in 2027.

Utah will also have eight stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans for 2027. The lowest listed monthly premium for a stand-alone drug plan is $5.30. These are statewide figures; the plans and prices available to you will depend on your county and personal circumstances.

A low premium can be attractive, but it does not tell the whole story. You should also consider deductibles, copayments, drug costs, provider networks and the plan’s annual out-of-pocket limit. Medicare Advantage plan premiums also do not replace the Medicare Part B premium that most beneficiaries must continue paying.

1. Make sure your doctors are still included

Begin with the doctors and medical facilities that matter most to you:

• Primary care physician
• Specialists
• Preferred hospital
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation provider
• Medical equipment supplier

A familiar insurance-company name does not necessarily mean that every doctor participates in every plan offered by that company. Check the particular plan—not only the insurance carrier.

If you divide your time between Utah and another state, ask how the plan handles routine and non-emergency care while you are away.

2. Review every prescription

Make a current list of your medications, including:

• Exact medication name
• Dosage
• How often you take it
• Preferred pharmacy
• Mail-order preference, if any

Confirm that each prescription is on the plan’s 2027 formulary. Then review its tier, copayment, deductible and any prior-authorization or step-therapy requirements.

When using Medicare’s Plan Compare tool, entering all your prescriptions and pharmacies will provide a much more useful estimate of your expected costs.

3. Compare the entire year—not simply the monthly premium

A plan with a $0 or low monthly premium may be a good choice, but the premium is only one part of the cost.

Compare:

• Monthly premium
• Medical and drug deductibles
• Primary care and specialist copayments
• Hospital copayments
• Prescription costs
• Annual maximum out-of-pocket amount
• Expected total yearly cost

The best choice is the coverage that fits your doctors, medications, health needs and budget—not necessarily the plan with the lowest advertised premium.

4. Read your Annual Notice of Change

If you already have a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, you should have received an Annual Notice of Change, commonly called the ANOC.

This notice explains changes that will begin January 1, including changes to costs, coverage and service areas. Plans generally send it in September. If you have not received yours, contact your plan and request another copy.

Mark anything that affects your regular care or prescriptions and bring the notice with you when reviewing your options.

5. Look beyond extra benefits

Many Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits. Depending on the plan, these might include dental, vision, hearing, transportation, fitness or over-the-counter allowances.

These benefits can be useful, but they should not take priority over your doctors, medications, hospitals and medical costs. Start with your essential healthcare needs. Then compare additional benefits among the plans that already meet those needs.

6. Check the plan’s quality rating

Medicare uses a five-star rating system to help beneficiaries compare the quality and performance of Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans.

CMS expects 2027 ratings to become available on or around October 8, 2026. Because those ratings had not yet been officially posted when this article was prepared, anyone comparing plans before that date should check Medicare.gov again after the ratings are released.

7. Give yourself enough time

You do not need to make a decision on October 15, but it is wise not to wait until December 7.

Before requesting help or attending a Medicare review, gather:

• Medicare card
• Current insurance cards
• Annual Notice of Change
• Complete medication list
• Preferred doctors and hospitals
• Preferred pharmacy
• Questions about travel or anticipated medical care

Having this information ready makes it much easier to compare your choices accurately.

What if you want to keep your current plan?

You generally do not need to re-enroll if your current plan will continue in 2027 and you want to keep it. Still, review its changes carefully and make sure it continues to cover your doctors and medications at a cost you are comfortable with.

Medicare’s 2027 Plan Compare tool is now available, so you can review personalized options before Open Enrollment begins.

We are here to help

Medicare decisions do not need to be rushed or confusing. Wasatch Benefits Group helps Utah residents compare their choices in plain language, with attention to their doctors, prescriptions, budget and personal priorities.

If you would like assistance, you can text or call our office, request a personal Medicare review or attend one of our local educational workshops.

Practical takeaways

• Open Enrollment is October 15–December 7, 2026.
• Changes generally begin January 1, 2027.
• Check your doctors, medications and pharmacies before comparing prices.
• Compare estimated yearly costs, not merely monthly premiums.
• Read your Annual Notice of Change.
• Do not rely on benefits or prices from the previous year.
• Ask for help early enough to make a careful decision.

Information not yet officially released

As of October 5, 2026:

• CMS expects 2027 plan Star Ratings on or around October 8, but they are not included in this article.
• Final 2027 Medicare Part A and Part B premiums and deductibles have not been announced. Estimates should not be presented as official amounts.
• The Utah plan figures above have been officially released by CMS, but individual availability and costs must still be confirmed using the person’s ZIP code, prescriptions and providers.

Wasatch Benefits Group is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. This article is for general educational purposes and is not a complete description of Medicare benefits or any insurance plan. Plan availability, benefits, premiums, provider networks, formularies and costs vary by plan and location and may change. Contact the plan directly or call 1-800-MEDICARE for complete and current information.