Medicare Advantage

Cleveland Medicare AEP: 2027 coverage deadlines

People in Cleveland can choose from 99 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, against 112 this year. 31 of this year’s plans are gone, 18 are new to Cuyahoga County, and 37 that continue have changed their premium, deductible, plan type or name, 6 of them under a new name.

CLEVELAND — If you have Medicare in Cleveland, the calendar is doing a lot of talking right now. The Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7, and the choices you make (or skip) in that window shape your coverage for all of 2027. This guide walks through the deadlines that matter, what happens if you miss one, and how the different enrollment windows fit together.

The deadline that matters most: December 7

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the big one. Between October 15 and December 7, anyone with Medicare can:

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or the other way around.
• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
• Join, drop, or switch a Part D prescription drug plan.

Whatever you choose during AEP takes effect January 1, 2027. If December 7 passes and you haven't done anything, your current coverage generally rolls over into next year — with whatever changes your plan has made to its costs, drug list, or provider network. That's why even people who plan to keep their coverage are wise to read their plan's Annual Notice of Change, which arrives by late September.

What if you miss December 7?

Missing AEP isn't the end of the road, but your options narrow.

If you're on Medicare Advantage: You get a second chance during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 – March 31, 2027. In that window you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan once, or drop Medicare Advantage and go back to Original Medicare (and add a Part D plan if needed). You cannot use this window to move from Original Medicare into Medicare Advantage.

If you're on Original Medicare with a stand-alone Part D plan: The MA Open Enrollment Period does not apply to you. Outside of AEP, you generally can't change your Part D plan unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) can open up if life changes — you move, lose employer coverage, qualify for Extra Help, or your plan leaves the market. These are the safety valve for people who miss AEP through no fault of their own.

Why the local numbers matter for your timeline

Cleveland is in Cuyahoga County, where 93 Medicare Advantage plans from 16 different carriers are being offered for 2027, according to CMS Plan Finder data. Of those, 18 are new this year, 31 are not returning, and 6 have been renamed — a lot of ground to cover, and the main reason we suggest starting early rather than clicking through options on December 6.

A few practical timing notes:

• Give yourself at least an afternoon to compare plans on medicare.gov's Plan Finder. Have your list of prescriptions, doctors, and preferred pharmacies ready before you start.
• If you're calling 1-800-MEDICARE or a SHIP counselor, appointment slots fill up fastest in the last two weeks of AEP. Book early.
• If you're mailing an enrollment form, don't wait until December 6. Enroll online or by phone to make sure your election is on the record before the deadline.

New rules to keep in mind for 2027

A few program-level changes are worth knowing as you weigh your Part D options during AEP:

• The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027. Once your covered drug spending hits that ceiling, you pay nothing more for covered drugs the rest of the year.
• The Part D maximum deductible is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027. Plans can charge less, but not more.
• The old coverage gap ("donut hole") is gone as of 2025. Part D now has three phases instead of four.
• The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your drug costs into monthly installments across the year instead of paying big amounts at the pharmacy counter. It's optional and free to opt into.
• IRMAA — the income-related surcharge on Part B and Part D premiums — kicks in above $109,000 in income for single filers in 2026.

None of these are plan-specific. They apply across the board, so factor them in as you compare.

How the enrollment windows fit together

Think of it as a two-part season:

1. October 15 – December 7 (AEP): Open to everyone with Medicare. Most flexibility. Changes start January 1. 2. January 1 – March 31 (MA Open Enrollment): Open only to people already in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1. You get one switch, or a move back to Original Medicare.

After March 31, unless a Special Enrollment Period applies, your coverage is generally locked in until the next AEP.

One more note: Ohio has 9 stand-alone Part D plans for 2027, sold statewide, so Cleveland residents with Original Medicare can join any of them to add drug coverage. If you want to keep Original Medicare and add drug coverage, this is a good question to ask a SHIP counselor before December 7.

Where to get unbiased help

You don't have to figure this out alone, and you shouldn't rely on a sales call to make the decision for you.

• medicare.gov — the official Plan Finder lets you compare plans side by side using your own drug list.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — 24/7, free, and staffed by CMS representatives.
• OSHIIP (Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program) — Ohio's SHIP offers free, one-on-one counseling from trained volunteers who don't sell insurance.