What's Changing for 2027
Starting October 9, 2026, the Medicare Plan Finder will let you search for your doctors by name. You'll be able to see which Medicare Advantage plans (also called Part C plans) include them in their networks.
This matters because it brings the information you need into one place. For 2027, Medicare Advantage plans are supplying their provider-network data directly to Plan Finder, replacing the previous third-party source. This approach means the directory information comes straight from the plans themselves.
Previously, if you wanted to know whether your preferred doctors were in a plan's network, you had to visit multiple websites or make phone calls. Now you can check inside the Plan Finder itself. That saves time and effort during the enrollment season.
How to Search for Your Doctors
When you use the Plan Finder during open enrollment, you can search by your doctor's name. You'll need to create or sign in to a Medicare account first. The system supports secure login options, making it easier to save your information over time.
Here's what you'll see when you search:
- Your doctor's name, credentials, and specialty
- Their office location or locations
- Which Medicare Advantage plans include that doctor
The Plan Finder displays the closest locations where that doctor practices. It flags which ones are in-network for each plan you're considering. You can save your doctors in your Plan Finder account. This lets you compare plans side by side later.
The search results show you a snapshot. You can then explore each plan's full details to understand how it works and what it covers. Comparing multiple plans at once helps you see differences in networks, benefits, and how costs are structured across your options.
What If Your Doctor Isn't Listed?
Provider information can change, so different sources may not always show the same information at the same time.
If your doctor doesn't appear or shows "not found," use more than one source to check their network status. You can ask the doctor's office whether they participate in the specific plan you're considering and compare that information with the plan's provider directory and Plan Finder.
Because provider information can change, checking more than one source can help you verify network participation before you enroll.
Medicare Open Enrollment Dates
The Plan Finder with the new provider-search feature opens October 9, 2026. Medicare Open Enrollment—the time when you can enroll in or switch plans—runs from October 15, 2026, through December 7, 2026.
This window gives you time to review whether your current plan still meets your needs. If you're thinking about switching, the updated Plan Finder makes it simpler to check whether your doctors are in the network before you make a change.
Why This Matters for Your Decision
Picking a Medicare Advantage plan is easier when you know your doctors are included. Network changes happen every year. Some doctors leave a plan. Others join. The new search feature gives you another way to check your doctors' network status.
Verifying your doctor's participation ahead of time is practical. It helps you understand what your provider network may look like under a new plan before you enroll.
Bottom Line
The 2027 Plan Finder gives you a quicker way to check whether your doctors are in a plan. You can search by name and see which plans include them. Between now and December 7, you have time to explore your options with the tools available to you.