Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| October 12 to 30, 2026 (closed) | State Health Plan Open Enrollment for retirees' 2027 options |
| October 15 to December 7, 2026 | Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027: join, switch or drop Medicare Advantage or Part D plans |
| December 31, 2026 | Last day to choose a new plan if yours is ending, so coverage starts January 1 with no gap |
| January 1, 2027 | New plans and the 2027 Part D out-of-pocket cap of $2,400 take effect |
| January 4, 2027 | Medicare ends for people enrolled on July 4, 2025 who don't meet the new citizenship and immigration rule (Social Security sends notices first); see Medicare eligibility |
| January 1 to March 31, 2027 | Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (one change) and the General Enrollment Period for Part B |
| February 28, 2027 | Special enrollment period ends for people whose 2027 plan didn't renew |
| October 15 to December 7, 2027 | Open Enrollment for 2028 |
| December 31, 2027 | Medicare's coverage of telehealth from anywhere, including your home, is set to run through this date |
If your North Carolina plan is ending
For 2027, some companies stop selling regular Medicare Advantage plans in some North Carolina counties, mostly in the western mountains plus Wake, Johnston and Chatham, and others end some plans, so at least 30,654 North Carolinians must choose new coverage. Every county still has regular Medicare Advantage plans. If you got a non-renewal letter and don't choose by December 31, you'll have Original Medicare without drug coverage on January 1. You can also buy Medigap without health questions until 63 days after your plan coverage ends. See North Carolina plans ending in 2027.
State Health Plan retirees
The Plan's own enrollment window closed October 30, 2026, so Medicare's December 7 date doesn't apply to changing your State Health Plan option. See State Health Plan retirees and Medicare.
Your own deadlines
- Turning 65: your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, and your 6-month Medigap open enrollment once Part B starts.
- Leaving a job: 8 months to sign up for Part B, and 2 full months to join a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
- NC Medicaid, MQB or Extra Help: you can join or switch to a standalone drug plan once a month.
- A declared disaster: if a hurricane or flood kept you from making a change, you get extra time.
Details on Medicare enrollment periods and Medicare open enrollment in North Carolina. To compare 2027 plans, see plans for your ZIP code, or you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
What if I miss my enrollment period?
Penalties and your next chance.
When should I sign up if I'm turning 65?
Your 7-month window.
How do I sign up for Medicare in North Carolina?
Online, by phone or in person.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — When can I join a health or drug plan?
- Medicare.gov — Special enrollment periods (plan non-renewal)
- eCFR — 42 CFR 422.62, Medicare Advantage election periods
- State Health Plan — 2027 Open Enrollment (October 12–30, 2026)
- Federal Register — CY 2027 Physician Fee Schedule final rule (section III.E, limiting Medicare coverage of certain individuals), November 9, 2026
- Medicare.gov — Telehealth
- CMS — CY2027 Landscape and plan crosswalk files
More questions in this guide
- Can I get Medicare before 65 in North Carolina?
- Do I need Medicare Part B if I'm still working at 65 in North Carolina?
- How do I sign up for Medicare in North Carolina?
- What happens if I miss my Medicare enrollment period in North Carolina?
- When should I sign up for Medicare if I'm turning 65 in North Carolina?
Part of the guide: Medicare enrollment periods in North Carolina · All questions
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I miss the December 7 deadline?
Your current plan continues into 2027 if it's renewing. If you're in Medicare Advantage, you can still make one change from January 1 to March 31, 2027. If your plan is ending, you have a special enrollment period through February 28, 2027.
When will the 2027 Part B premium be announced?
CMS announces the next year's Part A and Part B premiums and deductibles in the fall. Until it does, see the Medicare costs in 2027 page, which is updated when CMS publishes them.
Is there a 2027 deadline for Medigap in North Carolina?
There's no yearly Medigap deadline, because North Carolina has no birthday rule. Your guaranteed windows are your own 6-month open enrollment at 65 and, if your Medicare Advantage plan ends, a guaranteed-issue right that lasts until 63 days after that coverage ends.
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 →
