Medicare 2026

Medicare AEP in Dothan: What to Do Before Dec. 7

DOTHAN, Ala. — The clock is ticking on Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period. From now through December 7, people with Medicare in the Wiregrass can review their coverage for 2027, switch plans, or make changes that will take effect January 1. Miss the deadline, and in most cases you're locked into your current coverage for the year.

With Part D changes continuing into 2027 — including a $2,400 out-of-pocket cap on covered prescription drugs — this fall is a good time to look closely at what you have, rather than let your plan renew on autopilot.

Key takeaways

• The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7, and changes you make take effect January 1, 2027.
• In 2027, Part D will cap what you pay out of pocket for covered drugs at $2,400, and the Part D deductible can be no more than $700.
• If your current plan sent you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), read it — costs, drug lists, and provider networks can shift each year.
• For free, unbiased help in Dothan, contact Alabama's SHIP program (SHIP) or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

What you can actually do between now and December 7

During AEP, people with Medicare can:

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or vice versa.
• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
• Join, drop, or switch a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan.

Whatever you choose during this window takes effect January 1, 2027. If you do nothing, your current plan generally rolls over — which is fine if it still fits, but risky if your medications, doctors, or the plan itself have changed.

Why 2027 is a year to actually look

Part D has been through its biggest shake-up in years. As of 2025, the old "donut hole" coverage gap is gone, replaced by three simpler phases. For 2027, the annual out-of-pocket maximum for covered drugs is $2,400, and the Part D deductible is capped at $700.

There's also the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, an optional program that lets you spread your yearly drug costs into monthly payments instead of paying a big amount at the pharmacy counter. It doesn't lower your total cost, but it can smooth cash flow.

Higher-income beneficiaries should also note that IRMAA surcharges on Part B and Part D premiums start above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026.

Read the notice your plan mailed you

Every fall, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans send an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), usually in September. It spells out what's different for the coming year — premiums, copays, the drug formulary, the pharmacy network, and which doctors and hospitals are in-network.

A few honest questions to ask yourself:

• Are all my current prescriptions still covered next year?
• Are my doctors and preferred hospital still in the plan's network?
• Have the copays for the services I actually use changed?

If the answers give you pause, AEP is your chance to shop.

How plan choices work in Dothan

Medicare plan availability is set at the county level. Dothan sits in Houston County, so the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans offered to you are the ones approved for Houston County. When you compare options on Medicare's Plan Finder, entering your ZIP code will pull the plans available where you live.

Original Medicare (Parts A and B), by contrast, works the same across the country and lets you see any provider that accepts Medicare.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting until the last week. Phone lines get busy, and rushed decisions lead to regret.
• Focusing only on the premium. A low premium doesn't tell you what you'll pay for the drugs and care you actually use.
• Assuming your doctor is still in-network. Networks change every year. Confirm before you enroll.
• Ignoring the drug list. Even if your plan name is the same, the formulary can shift.

If AEP passes and you change your mind

If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1, you get one more window: the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which runs January 1 through March 31. During that time, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or drop back to Original Medicare (and add a Part D plan). It's a narrower set of options than AEP, but it's a safety net.