MINNESOTA — Minnesotans reviewing Medicare coverage for 2027 are being urged to check plan availability, renewal notices and their expected costs before the December 7 open-enrollment deadline. Grant Rockwood of MN Benefits told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that some plans are placing limits on enrollment, creating a new concern for people deciding whether to change coverage. He described receiving capacity updates from an insurer and warned that a plan someone is considering could stop accepting new members. Minnesota’s official Medicare guidance confirms that some Medicare Advantage plans have enrollment caps for 2027. The state says those limits will be displayed on affected plans in the Medicare Plan Finder. This applies to specific Advantage plans, rather than a cap on Medicare enrollment overall. Review the notice from your current plan Rockwood also warned that people receiving notices about a plan ending may not be automatically moved to a comparable option, even when the same insurer offers other choices. He said some clients have struggled to get detailed answers after long waits for customer assistance. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services advises people to review their Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage. Plans can change premiums, benefits, drug coverage and provider or pharmacy networks from year to year. CMS says people generally do not need to take action if their current plan will still be offered and continues to meet their needs. A notice saying a plan is ending requires closer attention; another plan from the same company should not be assumed to provide identical coverage or automatic enrollment. Compare the details before enrolling The state recommends gathering a medication list with dosages, the names of medical providers, a preferred pharmacy and current coverage information before comparing options. Check the coverage for those specific drugs and providers, along with premiums, deductibles, copayments and other out-of-pocket costs. Plan availability depends on where someone lives. Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder lets people compare health and prescription-drug options for their ZIP code. Confirm the current availability and terms of a particular plan with the insurer or a qualified counselor. Open enrollment runs through December 7 The annual Medicare open-enrollment period runs October 15 through December 7, 2026, for coverage beginning January 1, 2027. Medicare says the plan must receive the enrollment request by December 7. Depending on their existing coverage, people may change Medicare Advantage plans, switch prescription-drug plans or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage during this period. Medicare Supplement insurance has separate eligibility and enrollment rules; a counselor can explain how those apply when considering a change. Free help in Minnesota Minnesota Aging Pathways, formerly the Senior LinkAge Line, offers free Medicare counseling. Call 800-333-2433, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Medicare can also be reached at 800-633-4227, or through Medicare.gov. Although some plans have enrollment limits, Minnesota Aging Pathways says people still have time to review their options carefully. The goal is to choose coverage that fits their needs, rather than enroll based only on a sales deadline or a low monthly premium. Image: Minnesota Now informational graphic. Enrollment dates verified with Medicare.gov.