Medicare.gov Plan Finder (also called Plan Compare) is where most people shop Medicare Advantage and Part D plans during Annual Enrollment, October 15 through December 7. For 2027, CMS and participating plans have rolled out clearer plan details—and timing matters because not every piece of data lands on the same day.
What you will see for 2027 plans
- Direct links to plan documents — formulary and Summary of Benefits (and related plan materials) from the comparison screen, so you can verify drugs and cost-sharing without hunting carrier sites.
- Extra benefits in plain language — dental, vision, hearing, fitness, OTC, and similar add-ons described more clearly when plans supply the data.
- Plan-exit and service-area alerts — if your current contract is ending or leaving your county, Plan Finder can flag that you need a new choice instead of assuming auto-renewal.
These features support your research; they do not replace your Annual Notice of Change or any official non-renewal letter from the plan.
October dates to watch
Early October is when 2027 contracts first appear. Two follow-on updates are especially important for Idaho, Oregon, Texas, and Washington shoppers:
- Star Ratings (around October 8) — quality scores for many Advantage and Part D contracts. Stars can affect plan marketing and, for some people, bonus benefits—but they should sit alongside cost and network fit, not replace them.
- Plan-supplied provider directories (around October 9) — refreshed doctor and facility lists plans send to Medicare. If you searched Plan Finder on October 1, run your doctors again after directories update; network participation can shift even when the plan name stays the same.
Annual Enrollment still runs October 15 – December 7. You do not need to enroll on day one, but waiting until mid-December without comparing invites last-minute mistakes.
How to use Plan Finder efficiently
- Enter your ZIP code and confirm whether you are comparing Advantage, Part D, or both.
- Add your prescriptions with dosage and frequency; pick pharmacies you actually use.
- Add providers—or note which specialists matter most—and recheck after directory refresh.
- Compare estimated total cost, not premium alone; open the formulary link for any plan on your short list.
- If a plan shows as leaving your area, note the effective date and compare replacements immediately.
For network habits before you lock in, see confirm your doctors before you lock in. For drug lists, see match meds to the formulary.
Want help reading Plan Finder results?
We can review 2027 options with you for Idaho, Oregon, Texas, and Washington counties at no cost to you.
This article is for general education. It is not a plan recommendation, quote, or guarantee of coverage. Benefits, premiums, networks, and eligibility vary by plan and county and can change. CDA Insurance LLC is an independent insurance agency and is not connected with the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Official program information is available at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.