Medicare 2026
Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare in Gardner ends Dec 7
GARDNER, Kan. — The clock is ticking on Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period. Between now and December 7, people with Medicare in Gardner can review, switch, or drop their coverage for 2027 — and the choices made this fall are the ones you'll live with next year.
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Key takeaways
- The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7, giving people in Gardner a chance to review, switch, or drop their 2027 Medicare drug and Medicare Advantage coverage.
- Any changes made during this window start on January 1, 2027, and if you're happy with your current plan, most plans renew automatically with no action needed.
- Plans mail an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) every September, so it's worth checking it for updates to premiums, deductibles, copays, drug tiers, and network changes before deciding anything.
- You can compare plans and estimated yearly costs using Medicare.gov's Plan Finder, and enroll by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, online, or directly with a plan, or get free help from a licensed agent or your local SHIP.
Here's a plain-English guide to what you can actually do before the deadline, and where to get free help in Johnson County.
What the Annual Enrollment Period is for
The Annual Enrollment Period, often called AEP or the fall open enrollment window, runs every year from October 15 through December 7. It's the main chance most people get to make changes to their Medicare drug and Medicare Advantage coverage.
During AEP, you can:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or the other way around.
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
- Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
Whatever you choose takes effect January 1, 2027. If you don't want to make changes, you don't have to — most plans renew automatically.
Why this year's review matters more than usual
A few real, program-level changes are landing in 2027, and they're worth understanding before you decide anything:
- Part D has an out-of-pocket cap on covered prescription drugs of $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027. Once you hit that amount, you pay nothing for covered drugs the rest of the year.
- The Part D deductible can be no higher than $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027, though plans can set it lower.
- The old "donut hole" coverage gap is gone. Since 2025, Part D uses three simpler phases instead of four.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your yearly drug costs into monthly payments instead of paying big amounts at the pharmacy counter. It's optional and free to opt into.
- IRMAA — the income-based surcharge on Part B and Part D premiums — starts above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026.
Even if your plan looks the same on the surface, your drug list (formulary), pharmacy network, and costs can change year to year. Every fall, plans mail an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) in September that spells out what's different. If you tossed yours, you can usually find it in your plan's online account.
What to actually do before December 7
If you live in Gardner and you're on Medicare, here's a short checklist worth working through this month:
1. Pull out your ANOC and look at what's changing — premium, deductible, copays, and drug tiers. 2. List your prescriptions, including doses. Small changes to a drug's tier can matter a lot. 3. Check your doctors and preferred pharmacy are still in-network for 2027. Networks in the Kansas City metro shift more than people expect. 4. Compare plans on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder, which shows every plan available in your ZIP code and estimates your yearly cost based on your drug list. 5. Decide, then enroll — by phone at 1-800-MEDICARE, on Medicare.gov, or directly with the plan.
Gardner is in Johnson County, where 29 Medicare Advantage plans from 7 carriers are offered for 2027, down from 53 plans and 8 carriers in 2026. Availability and plan details are set at the county level, so a neighbor a few miles away in another county may see a different list.
What if you miss December 7?
Missing the deadline isn't the end of the road, but your options narrow.
- If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 – March 31. During that window you can switch to a different Advantage plan once, or go back to Original Medicare (and add a Part D plan).
- Special Enrollment Periods may apply if you move, lose other coverage, qualify for Extra Help, or have certain other life changes.
- Outside of those windows, you generally can't change Part D or Advantage coverage until next fall.
Free, unbiased help in Gardner
You don't have to figure this out alone, and you don't have to talk to a salesperson to get answers.
- SHICK (Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas) is the state's SHIP program. Trained counselors give free, one-on-one help comparing plans and understanding your options. Call 1-800-860-5260.
- Medicare.gov has the official Plan Finder and enrollment tools.
- 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) is staffed 24/7.
- The Johnson County Area Agency on Aging can connect Gardner residents to local counselors and other benefits.
By the numbers
Medicare Part B premium, 2006–2026
The standard monthly Part B premium has climbed from $88.50 in 2006 to $202.90 in 2026. Hover any point for that year’s premium.
Source: CMS. Standard premium shown; in some hold-harmless years many existing enrollees paid less. Confirm at Medicare.gov.
By the numbers
How people get Medicare in Johnson County
(MA penetration in Johnson County)
MA penetration from CMS enrollment data; Medigap share is an estimate. U.S. average is about 54% Medicare Advantage. These are area-level figures, not plan-specific.
Key dates
Medicare enrollment periods at a glance
- Around your 65thInitial Enrollment PeriodA 7-month window around the month you turn 65 — your first chance to sign up.
- October 15 – December 7Annual Enrollment PeriodAnyone with Medicare can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
- January 1 – March 31Medicare Advantage Open EnrollmentIf you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change.
- January 1 – March 31General Enrollment PeriodFor people who missed their first chance to sign up for Part B.
- VariesSpecial Enrollment PeriodTriggered by life events like moving or losing other coverage.
Dates are set by Medicare and apply nationwide. Confirm your personal windows at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Explore
When can you enroll? An interactive year
Enrollment windows are federal and the same nationwide. Confirm your personal dates at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
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The parts of Medicare
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to do anything if I like my current plan?
I only have Original Medicare and no drug plan. Can I add one now?
Will my Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan change during AEP?
- CMS — Medicare enrollment periods (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.