Reviewed by Scott Lewis, licensed insurance agent · Last reviewed September 27, 2026
Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. Changes made during this period generally begin January 1. An annual review is worthwhile even when you are comfortable with your current coverage because plan costs, drug coverage, networks, and benefits can change.
What you can do during Annual Enrollment
- Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Join, switch, or drop a standalone Medicare Part D plan.
- Move from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage.
- Leave Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare, with Part D decisions handled separately.
Annual Enrollment does not create a blanket guaranteed right to buy any Medicare Supplement policy. Medigap enrollment and underwriting rules are separate. Oregon policyholders may also have rights under the Oregon Medigap birthday rule.
Your Bend AEP review checklist
Annual Notice of Change
Read changes to premium, copays, benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, and service area.
Prescriptions
Check every drug, strength, quantity, tier, restriction, and estimated annual cost.
Doctors and hospitals
Verify each clinician, clinic, St. Charles facility, laboratory, and imaging provider in the exact plan.
Pharmacies
Compare preferred, standard, mail-order, and 90-day-fill pricing rather than assuming your usual pharmacy is lowest.
Total cost
Compare premium with likely medical and prescription spending and the maximum out-of-pocket limit.
Extra benefits
Review limits, frequency, vendors, and eligibility for dental, vision, hearing, OTC, transportation, and other benefits.
Important 2027 Bend issues to review
- High Lakes / Praxis published a 2027 Oregon Medicare participation update and says UnitedHealthcare negotiations are ongoing.
- The official 2027 Deschutes County plan landscape, premiums, and benefits must be checked when CMS makes the local data available.
- The standard Part D deductible rises to $700 and the annual out-of-pocket threshold rises to $2,400 in 2027.
- St. Charles, Summit, High Lakes, specialists, and facilities should be verified separately for a specific Medicare Advantage product.
Follow our 2027 Medicare changes tracker for dated local updates.
What to bring to an appointment
- Your Medicare card and current plan card.
- Your Annual Notice of Change and other carrier notices.
- A complete prescription list with dosage, quantity, and refill frequency.
- Your preferred pharmacy and a practical backup pharmacy.
- Every doctor, clinic, hospital, and specialist you want to keep.
- Questions about travel, referrals, prior authorization, and expected procedures.
Use the detailed Medicare appointment checklist or request a Bend Medicare plan review.
Sources and verification
We use primary sources and link to the current page so you can verify details before making a coverage decision.
- Medicare Open Enrollment — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Medicare Plan Compare — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- 2027 Oregon Medicare insurance update — Praxis Health
- Insurance information — St. Charles Health System