Medicare 2026

Glendale Medicare Checklist: 5 Moves to Make by Dec. 7

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The clock is ticking on Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period. Between now and December 7, people with Medicare in Glendale can change how they get their coverage for 2027 — and the choices they make (or skip) will lock in for the whole year. With the Part D out-of-pocket drug cap rising to $2,400 in 2027 and plans mailing out updated benefit notices, this is the window to look before you leap.

What you can actually do during AEP

The Annual Enrollment Period is the one window each fall when almost anyone with Medicare can make a change. During AEP you can:

• Switch from Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to a Medicare Advantage plan, or the other way around.
• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
• Join, drop, or switch a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan.
• Sign up for Part D for the first time if you have Original Medicare and missed earlier windows (a late-enrollment penalty may still apply).

Whatever you choose by December 7 starts on January 1, 2027.

Why this year deserves a fresh look

Even if you're happy with your current coverage, 2026 brings real changes worth checking:

• The Part D out-of-pocket cap. Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs hits the annual cap, you pay nothing more for covered drugs the rest of the calendar year. The cap is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027.
• The maximum Part D deductible. Individual plans can set a lower deductible, but not a higher one. The ceiling is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027.
• The coverage gap is gone. Since 2025, Part D has three phases instead of four — no more "donut hole."
• The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. This optional program lets you spread your drug costs across monthly payments instead of paying large amounts at the pharmacy counter. You can opt in through your Part D plan.

Your current plan also sends an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) each fall. Read it. Premiums, drug formularies, provider networks, and copays can all shift year to year.

A simple checklist for Glendale residents

1. Pull out your ANOC and Evidence of Coverage. Check what's different for 2026. 2. List your prescriptions and doctors. Include dosages — formularies change. 3. Confirm your providers. If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, make sure your Glendale-area doctors and hospitals are still in-network for 2026. 4. Use the Plan Finder. At medicare.gov, enter your Glendale ZIP code to see plans available in Maricopa County. 5. Check income-related surcharges. If your 2024 income was above $109,000 (single filer), IRMAA surcharges may apply to Parts B and D in 2026.

What happens if you do nothing

If you take no action by December 7, you'll generally stay in your current plan for 2027 — with whatever changes your plan has made. That's fine if the plan still fits. It's a problem if your drugs were dropped from the formulary or your doctor left the network.

One more date to know: the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31. If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one chance during that window to switch to a different Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare. It's a safety net — not a substitute for using AEP well.

Get personal help — for free

Medicare decisions are personal, and the right answer depends on your prescriptions, your doctors, and your budget. Free, unbiased help is available:

• medicare.gov — Plan Finder, official plan details, and enrollment.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — 24/7 phone help.
• Arizona SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) — free one-on-one counseling for Arizona Medicare beneficiaries.