Key dates for 2027 coverage
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| By September 30, 2026 | Your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan sends its Annual Notice of Change for 2027. |
| October 12 to 30, 2026 | State Health Plan retirees' own Open Enrollment (closed). |
| October 15, 2026 | Medicare open enrollment opens. |
| December 7, 2026 | Open enrollment closes. Changes start January 1, 2027. |
| December 31, 2026 | Last day to replace a plan that's ending without a gap in coverage. |
| January 1 to March 31, 2027 | Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: one change if you're in a Medicare Advantage plan. |
| February 28, 2027 | Special enrollment period ends for people whose plan isn't renewing. |
What you can change
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or back.
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
- Join, switch or drop a Part D drug plan.
For 2027, CMS lists 106 Medicare Advantage plans open to everyone in North Carolina and 11 standalone Part D plans. You can join only plans sold in your county, and the number varies a lot: Guilford County has 57 plans open to everyone, Carteret County 11. See the counties page.
State Health Plan retirees had earlier dates
Retired teachers and state employees on the State Health Plan chose their 2027 option (the Base Plan or Enhanced Plan, which are group Medicare Advantage plans, or the 70/30 Plan) during the Plan's own Open Enrollment, October 12 to 30, 2026. That window has closed, and Medicare's December 7 deadline doesn't reopen it. If you're in the Plan's group Medicare Advantage coverage, joining any other Medicare Advantage or Part D plan moves you to the 70/30 Plan. See State Health Plan retirees and Medicare.
If your plan is ending
For 2027, some companies stop offering some Medicare Advantage plans in parts of North Carolina, including much of the western mountains and Wake, Johnston, Chatham and Rutherford counties. At least 30,654 North Carolinians must choose new coverage. If you got a non-renewal letter, choose by December 31, 2026 to avoid a gap. See my plan is ending in 2027 and North Carolina plans ending in 2027.
To compare plans from the companies they work with, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048) for information on all your options. Full details are on Medicare open enrollment in North Carolina.
Related questions
What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
One change from January 1 to March 31.
Can I change plans after open enrollment?
Later windows and special enrollment periods.
Which companies are leaving North Carolina?
What CMS data shows for 2027.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Joining a plan (enrollment periods)
- Medicare.gov — Special Enrollment Periods (plan not renewed)
- eCFR — 42 CFR 422.62, election of coverage under an MA plan
- CMS — Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape files, contract year 2027 (plan counts)
- State Health Plan — 2027 Open Enrollment (October 12 to 30, 2026)
- State Health Plan — Pre-65 retiree presentation (outside Medicare plans and the 70/30 Plan)
More questions in this guide
- Can I change my Medicare plan after open enrollment ends?
- Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare in North Carolina?
- Do I get a guaranteed right to buy Medigap if my plan leaves North Carolina?
- My Medicare Advantage plan is ending in 2027 in North Carolina. What do I do?
- What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
- Which Medicare companies are leaving North Carolina in 2027?
Part of the guide: Medicare Open Enrollment in North Carolina (2027 Plans) · All questions
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I miss December 7?
Your current plan continues if it's renewing. After December 7 you can change only in the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31, if you're in a Medicare Advantage plan) or with a special enrollment period, such as when your plan is ending.
Does Medigap have an open enrollment in the fall?
No. Fall open enrollment covers Medicare Advantage and Part D plans only. North Carolina has no Medigap birthday rule or yearly switching right, so outside your first 6 months with Part B at 65 or a guaranteed-issue situation, a Medigap company can ask health questions.
When does my new plan start?
Any change you make between October 15 and December 7 starts January 1, 2027. If you make more than one change, the last one you make by December 7 counts.
Medicare in your North Carolina county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Wake · Mecklenburg · Guilford · Forsyth · Durham · Cumberland · Buncombe · Union · Johnston · Cabarrus · New Hanover · Gaston · Onslow · Iredell · Alamance · Pitt · Davidson · Brunswick · Catawba · Rowan · All 100 counties →
