Medicare open enrollment 2026: how to compare plans without getting a sales call
You can compare every Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D plan available where you live using Medicare's own data — before you ever give your phone number to anyone.
At a glance
- Open enrollment generally runs October 15 to December 7, with changes starting the following January 1.
- There are three basic paths: Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Original Medicare plus a Medigap policy.
- Medicare's free Plan Finder tool lets you compare real costs using your own medications and doctors, with no phone call required.
- A single unsolicited call from a plan can trigger weeks of follow-up calls from other agents who bought the same lead.
If you've searched anything about Medicare plans in the last few weeks, you've probably noticed the ads start almost immediately — a banner, a pop-up, sometimes a call within the hour from a number you didn't give anyone. That's not a coincidence. Medicare plan comparisons are one of the most heavily marketed searches online, because a single enrollment can be worth a meaningful commission to an agent or broker. None of that makes the underlying decision any less important, or any less confusing.
The good news is that you don't need an agent to get accurate numbers. Medicare publishes the same plan data that agents use, in a public tool, and you can run your own comparison in about twenty minutes using your parent's actual medication list and preferred doctors. This guide walks through that process, plus what each plan type actually means and what questions are worth asking before anyone signs anything.
The three plan types, in plain language
Almost every Medicare decision comes down to picking one of three structures. None of them is universally "best" — the right one depends on your parent's doctors, medications, travel habits and how they feel about managing paperwork versus managing a monthly premium.
- Original Medicare (Parts A and B) — run directly by the federal government. You can see almost any doctor who accepts Medicare, nationwide, without referrals. It doesn't cap your yearly out-of-pocket costs on its own, which is why most people pair it with a Medigap policy or Part D plan.
- Medicare Advantage (Part C) — private insurance plans that bundle hospital, medical and usually drug coverage, often with a $0 premium and extra benefits like dental or vision. In exchange, you're typically limited to a network of doctors and need referrals for specialists, similar to an HMO or PPO.
- Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D — Original Medicare with a private supplemental policy that covers most of the gaps (deductibles, coinsurance) plus a separate drug plan. Premiums are higher than $0, but there's very little unpredictable out-of-pocket cost, and you keep the nationwide doctor access of Original Medicare.
Plain-language glossary
- Premium
- The amount you pay every month just to have the plan, regardless of how much care you use.
- Formulary
- The list of drugs a specific plan covers, and at what cost tier. Two plans can have very different formularies even if their premiums look the same.
- Medigap (Medicare Supplement)
- A private policy, sold in standardized letter plans (like Plan G), that pays some or most of what Original Medicare doesn't.
- Star rating
- Medicare's 1–5 scale for plan quality, based on member satisfaction, customer service and clinical measures, published every fall.
What plans actually cost in 2026
Exact numbers vary by state, county and insurer, and change every year — the table below shows typical national ranges to set expectations, not a quote for any specific plan. Always pull the real numbers for your parent's ZIP code before deciding.
| Plan type | Typical monthly premium | Typical out-of-pocket exposure |
|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare only (Parts A & B) | ~$185 | Uncapped — 20% coinsurance on most services |
| Medicare Advantage | $0–$60 | Capped annually, often $4,000–$8,500 out-of-pocket max |
| Medigap Plan G + Part D | $150–$300 | Low and predictable — mostly just the Part B deductible |
| Standalone Part D (drug plan) | $5–$90 | Varies heavily by formulary tier and pharmacy |
How to actually compare plans, step by step
This is the part that most "Medicare help" articles skip in favor of pushing you toward a call. You can do almost all of it yourself:
- Pull the current medication list and dosages. Plan Finder needs exact drug names and strengths to estimate drug costs correctly — "blood pressure medication" won't work, but "lisinopril 10mg" will.
- Go to Medicare.gov and open the Plan Finder tool, then enter the ZIP code, medications, preferred pharmacy and any specific doctors or hospitals that matter.
- Sort by estimated total yearly cost, not premium. A $0 premium plan with poor drug coverage can easily cost more over a year than a $40/month plan with a better formulary.
- Check the plan's star rating and network before narrowing to a final two or three options — a cheap plan that excludes a parent's longtime cardiologist is rarely worth the savings.
- Call the plan directly, not a third-party number from an ad, once you've narrowed the list, to confirm network status for specific doctors and ask the questions below.
Questions to ask before anyone enrolls
- Is my specific doctor and hospital in-network for this exact plan — not just "the network" generally?
- What is the annual out-of-pocket maximum, and does it include drug costs?
- Is my current pharmacy a "preferred" pharmacy for this plan, or will I pay a higher tier price there?
- What happens if I need care while traveling out of state?
- If I don't like this plan, when is the next window where I can change it without a qualifying life event?
When it's actually worth calling a broker
Licensed, independent brokers can be genuinely useful once you have a shortlist — they can often check network details and submit paperwork faster than doing it solo, and they're typically paid by the insurer, not by you. The difference between a helpful broker and a pushy one usually comes down to who's driving: if you call them with two specific plans already in hand, you're in control. If they call you first with a "better deal," slow down.
Red flags that mean hang up
- Anyone claiming to represent "Medicare" itself on an unsolicited call — Medicare does not call or email beneficiaries to sell or switch plans.
- Pressure to enroll "today" to lock in a rate, or claims that a plan is only available for a few more hours.
- A request for a Medicare number or bank details before you've confirmed the agent's license and the plan's official name on Medicare.gov.
- Promises of cash cards, gift cards or other incentives tied directly to enrolling in a specific plan.
Common questions
When is Medicare open enrollment in 2026?
The annual Open Enrollment Period generally runs October 15 through December 7, with changes taking effect the following January 1. Confirm exact dates and any special enrollment periods at Medicare.gov.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare?
Usually yes, during open enrollment or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period early in the year. Buying a Medigap policy afterward may involve medical underwriting in most states unless you have a guaranteed-issue right, so check timing carefully.
Do I have to talk to an agent to compare plans?
No — Medicare's Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov lets you compare costs, drug coverage and star ratings using your own information, with no phone call required.
