Is the 2027 AEP the same as when I first signed up for Medicare?

No. Your first sign-up happened during your Initial Enrollment Period, tied to turning 65. AEP is a separate, annual window for people already enrolled who want to review or change coverage for the following year.

Does RGI Group have an office I can visit during AEP?

RGI Group's one office is in Austin. Texans statewide are served by phone or virtual appointment during AEP, so an in-person visit is not required to compare options.

Will my plan automatically change on January 1, 2027, if I do nothing?

If you take no action during AEP, you generally stay in your current plan, but the plan itself may have changes described in its Annual Notice of Change. Reviewing that notice is the best way to know what will be different.

Can I use AEP to apply for a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy?

AEP rules are specific to Medicare Advantage and Part D changes; Medigap underwriting works differently and is not guaranteed at every point in the year outside your Medigap open enrollment period. Ask a licensed agent how your specific timing applies.

Does AEP availability differ across Texas counties?

Yes. The AEP calendar dates are the same statewide, but which specific Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are offered depends on the county's service area, so two Texas counties can have different plan choices during the same window.

The 2027 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period for Texans

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period for 2027 coverage runs October 15 through December 7, 2026, and any changes you make generally take effect January 1, 2027. Texans in every county — from the Panhandle to the Rio Grande Valley — can use this window to review Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Original Medicare choices as plans change each year. RGI Group is a licensed independent Texas insurance agency and can walk through the differences by phone or virtual appointment, in English or Spanish. This page explains how AEP differs from other enrollment windows so you know which one applies to your situation.

What the 2027 AEP actually covers

The Annual Enrollment Period each fall is when people already on Medicare can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Medicare Advantage plans, or join, drop, or switch a Part D prescription drug plan. For the 2027 plan year, that window is October 15 through December 7, 2026, and selections take effect January 1, 2027. It is open to Texans statewide, though which specific plans are available still depends on the county you live in.

Why plans can look different every fall

Insurance companies are permitted to adjust their Medicare Advantage and Part D offerings from one year to the next, including provider networks, pharmacy networks, and drug formularies. A plan that worked well for you this year is not guaranteed to work the same way next year, which is the main reason AEP exists as a recurring checkpoint rather than a one-time decision.

Read your Annual Notice of Change before deciding anything

Each fall, your current plan is required to send an Annual Notice of Change describing what is different for the coming year, such as adjustments to the provider network, the drug list, or plan rules. Reading it before AEP begins gives you a head start on deciding whether to stay enrolled, switch plans, or move back to Original Medicare.

AEP vs. the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

AEP is not the same as the Initial Enrollment Period. IEP is the seven-month window tied to turning 65 — three months before your birthday month, your birthday month, and three months after — and it is how most people first enroll in Medicare. AEP, by contrast, is an annual window for people who are already enrolled and want to make changes for the following year.

AEP vs. the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

A separate window, January 1 through March 31, exists only for people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and lets them make one plan switch or return to Original Medicare. It is more limited than AEP and does not allow someone to newly join a Medicare Advantage plan from Original Medicare for the first time during that window.

Special Enrollment Periods outside of AEP

Qualifying life events — such as moving outside a plan's service area, losing employer coverage, or qualifying for Extra Help — can open a Special Enrollment Period at other times of the year. These are tied to specific circumstances and documentation, so it is worth asking whether a life change you have experienced might qualify before assuming you must wait for the next AEP.

A practical approach for Texas households

Because formularies, networks, and service areas are set at the plan and county level, a neighbor's experience in another part of Texas may not translate to your own ZIP code. Gathering your current drug list, pharmacy, and doctors before AEP begins makes the comparison process faster regardless of which county you live in.

Questions to ask before choosing a plan

Did my current plan's Annual Notice of Change mention any network or formulary changes for 2027?
Am I in AEP, IEP, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, or a Special Enrollment Period right now?
Which plans actually serve my county for the 2027 plan year?
Has my drug list or pharmacy changed since I last compared Part D options?
If I do nothing during AEP, what happens to my current coverage on January 1, 2027?

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2027 AEP the same as when I first signed up for Medicare? No. Your first sign-up happened during your Initial Enrollment Period, tied to turning 65. AEP is a separate, annual window for people already enrolled who want to review or change coverage for the following year.
Does RGI Group have an office I can visit during AEP? RGI Group's one office is in Austin. Texans statewide are served by phone or virtual appointment during AEP, so an in-person visit is not required to compare options.
Will my plan automatically change on January 1, 2027, if I do nothing? If you take no action during AEP, you generally stay in your current plan, but the plan itself may have changes described in its Annual Notice of Change. Reviewing that notice is the best way to know what will be different.
Can I use AEP to apply for a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy? AEP rules are specific to Medicare Advantage and Part D changes; Medigap underwriting works differently and is not guaranteed at every point in the year outside your Medigap open enrollment period. Ask a licensed agent how your specific timing applies.
Does AEP availability differ across Texas counties? Yes. The AEP calendar dates are the same statewide, but which specific Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are offered depends on the county's service area, so two Texas counties can have different plan choices during the same window.

Important notice

Plan availability, benefits, and any Part B premium reduction vary by county, plan, and individual circumstances. The Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15 – Dec 7, 2026) is different from your Initial Enrollment Period around your 65th birthday.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Any information we provide is limited to the plans we offer in your area. To find all of your options, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or the Texas Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP).

Talk with a licensed Texas agent

Call 346-888-0811. Office: 5900 Balcones Drive, Ste 100, Austin, TX 78731. Monday–Sunday, 8:00 AM–11:00 PM. Licensed in Texas. Guidance available in English and Spanish.