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A Medicare Drug Plan Program Is Ending. Could Your Premium Change?

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 06:00:40 GMT

A Temporary Federal Program That Helped Limit Premium Increases for Some Medicare Part D Plans Will End After 2026.

If you have a standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, you'll want to pay close attention to the information your plan sent you this fall.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that it is ending a temporary program that helped keep premiums more stable for participating Part D drug plans. The program was called the Medicare Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration, and it will end after 2026.

What Is Changing?

Medicare made major changes to the Part D prescription drug benefit beginning in 2025. During that transition, CMS created a temporary program to help participating standalone Part D plans manage some of the financial impact and limit large year-to-year premium increases.

For 2026, the program provided participating plans with additional financial assistance and limited how much their total Part D premiums could increase from the previous year.

CMS has now decided that this temporary assistance is no longer needed, so the program will end after 2026, rather than running through 2027 as was originally anticipated. That means Part D plans will set their 2027 premiums without the additional help provided by this temporary program.

Does This Mean My Part D Premium Will Go Up?

Not necessarily.

Ending the program does not mean everyone's Part D premium will increase. The impact will vary from one plan to another.

To find out whether this change affects you, and by how much, it's important to look at the Part D plans available for 2027 and compare them with your 2026 coverage. Start with the monthly premium, but don't stop there. Changes in deductibles, prescription costs, covered medications and pharmacy networks can all affect what you ultimately pay.

In other words, a higher premium doesn't necessarily mean a plan will cost you more overall, and a lower premium doesn't necessarily mean it will be the least expensive choice for you. What matters is how the plan covers the medications you take and the pharmacies you use.

Although this temporary program is ending, it doesn't mean all federal measures intended to help control Part D premium increases are going away. Other protections remain in place that limit how quickly certain costs used to calculate Part D premiums can rise from year to year.

However, those protections don't put a cap on how much your individual plan's premium can change. That's why it's still important to focus on the details of the plans available to you and compare your 2027 costs and coverage with what you had in 2026.

What Should I Do?

By now, you should have received an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) from your current plan, explaining what's changing next year. Review it carefully to see whether your premium, prescription drug coverage, out-of-pocket costs, pharmacy network or other plan features are changing.

As you review it, don't look at the premium alone. A plan with a lower monthly premium could end up costing you more if the medications you take are more expensive under that plan or if the deductible has increased. Likewise, changes to a plan's formulary, deductible or pharmacy network could have a significant impact on your overall costs.

As you review your coverage, consider:

Are all the prescriptions I take still covered?
Have my costs (copayments and coinsurance) for those medications changed?
Is my usual pharmacy still in the plan's network, and is it still considered a preferred pharmacy?
Has the deductible or monthly premium changed?
Are there new coverage requirements or restrictions for any of my medications?
How does my current plan compare with the other Part D options available for 2027?

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7 . That's your opportunity to compare your current coverage with other available options for 2027 and make a change if another plan better fits your needs.

You don't have to wait until October 15 to start getting organized, though. When your 2027 plan information arrives, make a list of your current prescriptions, dosages and preferred pharmacies. Having that information ready can make comparing your options much easier.

Conclusion

The end of this temporary Medicare program is good to know about, but there's no reason to assume your prescription drug costs are automatically going to soar. The most important thing you can do is review your coverage rather than automatically renewing it without looking at the changes.

We are here to help you assess your options and prioritize your needs. Working with a licensed Medicare professional from our team means you don’t have to figure this all out on your own.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder to know your normal, discuss screening with your doctor, and understand how your health coverage supports cancer care.

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 06:00:34 GMT

Learn How Your Medicare Coverage Moves with You

If you're someone who heads south for the winter or splits your time between two homes in different states, you're what the world often calls a "snowbird." And while your dual-state lifestyle might offer the best of both worlds, it can add some complexity to your Medicare coverage.

That’s why a little extra planning may be needed to make sure your Medicare benefits travel with you. Here's what multi-state dwellers need to know to stay covered, avoid surprises, and make the most of their benefits, from Toledo to Tampa.

The Basics: What Medicare Covers Anywhere in the U.S.

If you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you're off to a good start. You can see any doctor or use any hospital that accepts Medicare in the United States with no referral required and no network restrictions. Coverage is consistent across all 50 states and U.S. territories.

It gets trickier if you have other types of Medicare coverage, like a Medicare Advantage plan, a Part D drug plan, or Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap).

Medicare Advantage Plans: Check the Network

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are offered by private insurers, and most operate within a specific geographic service area. These plans often require you to use doctors and hospitals within their local network for routine care, and some require referrals for specialists. It is important to note that Medicare Advantage plans must cover emergency and urgently needed care while you are outside the plan’s geographic service area.

If you live in one state half the year and another the other half, a plan that works in Florida may not cover your routine care in Michigan, or it may cover it at a much higher out-of-network rate.

Questions to ask:

Is your Medicare Advantage plan a PPO (which may offer some out-of-network coverage) or an HMO (which usually doesn't)?
Do both of your locations fall within the plan's service area?
What happens if you need routine care while living in your second home?

Prescription Drug Plans (Part D): Location Matters

Part D drug plans also have networks, specifically, pharmacy networks. A plan based in New York might not include your favorite neighborhood pharmacy in Arizona.

To avoid disruption in your prescriptions:

Choose a plan with nationwide pharmacy access, like a major chain or mail-order pharmacy.
Double-check that your medications are still covered no matter where in the U.S. you are (most drug plans don't cover drugs received outside the U.S. and its territories).
Review your plan's formulary (drug list) and participating pharmacies yearly during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15–Dec. 7) to determine if there is a Part D drug plan better suited to your needs and your dual-state situation.

Medigap Plans: More Flexibility for Travelers

If you've chosen Original Medicare and added a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy, you're in luck. Most Medigap plans allow you to see any Medicare-participating provider in the country, making them an excellent choice for snowbirds.

Just remember:

Medigap policies are standardized, but sold by private insurers, and prices may vary by state.
If you make a permanent move to a new state, you may have a guaranteed-issue right to switch to a new Medigap policy without medical underwriting, but this depends on your state and situation. It's worth checking with a licensed agent before you assume you're covered.

Your Primary Residence and Medicare

Even if you live in two states, Medicare requires you to designate a primary residence, typically the address used for taxes, driver's license, and voter registration. This determines your plan eligibility and service area for Medicare Advantage or Part D plans.

If you make a permanent move (not just a seasonal stay), you'll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to switch plans that better fit your new location.

Staying Connected to Your Care Team: Telehealth

One thing that's made life easier for snowbirds in recent years is the wider availability of telehealth. Many Medicare Advantage plans and providers now offer virtual visits, which means you may be able to check in with your regular doctor even while you're away from home.

Telehealth isn't a substitute for local, in-person care in an emergency, but it can be a helpful bridge for routine checks, follow-ups, medication management, or specialist check-ins while you're at your second home.

Coverage in Emergencies

Medicare will always cover emergency or urgent care in the U.S., regardless of where you are. So if you're visiting your second home and something unexpected happens, you won't be left without coverage.

For Medicare Advantage members, be sure to check your Evidence of Coverage, which describes how Medicare defines emergencies and urgently needed services and how those services must be covered by Medicare Advantage plans.

Quick Tips for Medicare Snowbirds

Here's a quick checklist to help you make the most of Medicare while living in two states:

Work with a Medicare agent. We can help you compare plans in both states and find the right match.
Choose flexible coverage. Original Medicare + Medigap offers the most freedom. If you use Medicare Advantage, consider a PPO plan with a wider service area.
Confirm your drug plan's pharmacy network. Make sure it works in both locations. Before traveling, request extra refills or a vacation supply of your medications, if your plan allows it.
Keep your legal address up to date. Medicare uses your home address to determine eligibility for plans.
Explore remote care. Ask your primary doctor if they offer telehealth visits while you're away.
Understand emergency and urgent care coverage. Know what's covered and what isn't, especially with Medicare Advantage. Save the contact info for urgent care centers near your homes.
Review plan notices every fall. Networks and costs can change each year. Don't assume this year’s plan will still fit your lifestyle next year.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Turn Awareness Into Action

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:00:07 GMT

The Pink Ribbon Is a Reminder, Not the Finish Line

Every October, pink ribbons bring breast cancer into public view. And while awareness certainly matters, a more useful purpose to these cute little ribbons is personal action. To anyone with breasts, this means understanding your risk, paying attention to changes, talking with a healthcare professional about screening, and knowing how your insurance works before you need it.

Breast cancer can affect people with very different backgrounds and risk profiles. Women are affected most often, but men can develop breast cancer too. Some people have a strong family history or an inherited genetic change, while many people diagnosed have no obvious family history. No checklist can tell you with certainty who will or will not develop the disease.

Know What Is Normal for You

Breasts can naturally change with age, hormones, weight, pregnancy, and medications. Because of that variability of risk and of factors throughout life, it's crucial to become familiar with how your own breasts normally look and feel. That can be the key to making an unusual change easier to notice. Warning signs could include a new lump in the breast or underarm, thickening or swelling of tissue, skin dimpling or irritation, changes in size or shape, nipple changes, unusual discharge, or persistent pain.

If you do notice something, don't panic. Many breast changes are not cancer. Still, a new change is worth discussing with a healthcare professional, even if a recent mammogram was normal. Do not wait for a symptom to become severe before speaking up and asking a question.

Make Screening a Conversation

Mammogram can find some signs of breast cancer before symptoms appear. Recommendations about when to begin and how often to get these screenings depend on age, personal history, family history, breast density, genetic risk, and guidance from your healthcare team. Someone at higher risk may need more frequent mammograms or additional tests.

General rules, such as getting a mammogram once a year after the age of 40, are a good starting point, but you should also ask your doctor what is appropriate for you. Useful questions include when you should begin screening, how often you should return, whether you have risk factors that change the plan, and where to schedule the test.

Risk Information May Help You Plan

Some risk factors, including age and inherited genetic changes, cannot be controlled. Others may relate to health history or lifestyle. Gathering information can help guide conversations and provide context. Ask relatives what they know about cancers on both sides of the family, including the type of cancer and age at diagnosis. Share that history with your healthcare professional. If the pattern suggests increased risk, the next step might include a more detailed assessment or a discussion about genetic counseling. Be aware of lifestyle risk factors that you may need to change.

Understand Screening and Diagnostic Care

Insurance often treats a routine screening mammogram differently from a diagnostic mammogram ordered to evaluate a symptom or follow up on a finding. The services may look similar, but network rules and out-of-pocket costs can differ. Additional imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI, may also have separate requirements regarding timing and referrals.

Before an appointment, consider asking your insurance company whether the facility is in network, whether an order or prior authorization is needed, and what costs may apply if the visit becomes diagnostic. You can also reach out to us for help understanding the terms of your policy. Coverage varies by plan, age, risk level, and the reason for the service, so confirm the details rather than assuming every test will be handled the same way.

Review the Rest of Your Financial Safety Net

A cancer diagnosis can affect more than medical bills. Time away from work, travel for treatment, household help, and other everyday expenses can put pressure on a family. Health insurance is central to treatment, but it may not address every financial consequence.

This month can be a useful time to review your health plan's deductible, out-of-pocket limit, prescription coverage, provider network, and care-management resources. Depending on your situation, you may also want to understand disability, critical illness, cancer coverage, hospital indemnity, or life insurance already in place. These products have limitations and exclusions, and they should not be treated as substitutes for major medical coverage.

Support Can Be Practical as Well as Emotional

If someone you care about is dealing with breast cancer, specific offers are often easier to accept than a general request to call if anything is needed. A ride, a meal, a fun activity, help with errands, childcare, or simply listening can reduce the weight of a difficult week. Respect the person's privacy and follow their lead about what they want to share.

Choose One Step This October

Awareness is truly meaningful when it leads to action. This month, take at least one action to help stop breast cancer. Schedule an overdue appointment, write down your family history, ask your doctor about a screening, or review your coverage. If you have questions about how your insurance may handle mammograms, diagnostic testing, prescriptions, or specialist care, contact our office. We can help you understand the plan language and prepare more informed questions for your healthcare team.

ACA Tax Credit Repayment Risk: What Changed in 2026

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 06:00:18 GMT

Why Keeping Your Marketplace Income Updated Matters More Than Ever

If you receive financial help paying for health insurance through the ACA Marketplace, there's an important tax change to know about for 2026.

Starting with the 2026 tax year, the limits that previously protected some people from having to repay the full amount of excess advance premium tax credits are gone. That means keeping your Marketplace income information up to date is more important than ever. We can help you navigate that process to avoid confusion.

How Advance Premium Tax Credits Work

When you apply for Marketplace coverage, you estimate your household income for the year. If you qualify for a premium tax credit, you can choose to use some or all of it in advance to lower your monthly insurance premium.

When you file your federal tax return, the amount you received in advance is compared with the premium tax credit you actually qualified for based on your final income and other eligibility information.

If you received more in advance than you qualified for, you may have to repay the difference.

What Changed for 2026?

Before 2026, people with household income below certain levels could qualify for limits on how much excess advance premium tax credit they had to repay.

Those repayment caps no longer apply for tax years after 2025. If the advance credits paid on your behalf exceed the premium tax credit you actually qualify for, you must generally repay the full difference. That amount can reduce your tax refund or increase the amount you owe.

This can be especially important for people whose income is difficult to predict, including freelancers, gig workers, and small business owners. A raise, new job, investment gain, retirement distribution, or other income change during the year can also affect the amount of premium tax credit you're eligible to receive.

How to Reduce the Risk of a Surprise Tax Bill

You don't have to wait until tax season to address any changes. If your income, household size, or other relevant circumstances change during the year, ask us how to update your Marketplace application as soon as possible. The Marketplace can recalculate your eligibility and adjust the advance credit applied to your premiums.

You could also be cautious and choose to use only part of the premium tax credit you're eligible to receive. Using less upfront may reduce the risk of owing money back if your income or circumstances change.

Advance premium tax credits can make Marketplace coverage more affordable, but beginning in 2026, there's less protection if you receive more financial assistance in advance than you ultimately qualify for. Keeping your information current throughout the year can help reduce the chance of an unexpected tax bill. We're here to guide you through the process.

What Medicare Really Covers for GLP-1 Drugs in 2026

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 06:00:13 GMT

A Plain-English Guide to the New $50 Copay Program and How to Get Started

For years, Medicare generally has not covered medications when they are prescribed solely for weight loss. Federal law currently excludes drugs used for weight loss from the standard Part D benefit. However, a new, limited exception to the rule became available on July 1, 2026.

Through a temporary program called the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, certain people with Medicare drug coverage may now be able to get select GLP-1 medications intended for weight management for a $50 copay per one-month supply. The Bridge program does not eliminate the underlying Part D exclusion for weight-loss drugs. Instead, it provides a separate, temporary pathway for eligible Medicare beneficiaries.

Read on to learn what the program covers, who could qualify, and how the process works.

Medicare Part D’s Existing GLP-1 Coverage

Before looking at the new Bridge program, it helps to understand GLP-1 coverage up to this point.

Medicare Part D can cover certain GLP-1 medications when they are prescribed for a medically accepted condition other than weight loss. Depending on the particular drug, those conditions may include:

Type 2 diabetes
Certain cardiovascular risks
Moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea
Certain cases of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a serious form of fatty liver disease

If your doctor prescribes a GLP-1 for one of these approved conditions, or something other than weight loss, your Medicare Part D plan may cover it. Which specific drugs are covered and what requirements apply depend on your particular plan.

The New Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program

The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program is a temporary program scheduled to run from July 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. It gives eligible people with Medicare drug coverage access to certain GLP-1 medications for the purpose of weight management for a flat $50 copay per one-month supply. The program is available nationwide, including in U.S. territories.

One important note is that the Bridge program operates outside the regular Part D benefit. Medicare pays participating pharmacies through a central processor rather than having your Part D plan pay for the medication. This means your Part D plan does not have to opt into the Bridge program for you to participate.

Which Drugs Are Covered as of August 2026?

As of August 2026, the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge includes these medications when prescribed to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction:

Foundayo — tablet
Wegovy — injection or tablet
Zepbound — KwikPen only (not single-dose vials or pens)

Because the Bridge program is evolving, Medicare may update covered products over the duration of the program.

What About Ozempic and Mounjaro?

The names of these medications are familiar to many people, so you may wonder if they're covered. The answer is no: Ozempic and Mounjaro are not covered through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program. Instead, they remain subject to regular Medicare Part D coverage rules and are most often prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. Wegovy and Zepbound, on the other hand, are versions approved specifically for chronic weight management.

So, if you take a GLP-1 medication for a condition that can be covered under Part D, continue working with your health care provider and Medicare drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan regarding coverage. If, however, you are seeking a pathway to weight management, then the Bridge program may be worth pursuing. The first step is to find out if you're eligible.

Who Qualifies for the GLP-1 Bridge?

To participate, you must be 18 or older, have Medicare drug coverage, and meet one of Medicare's clinical eligibility standards when starting treatment.

You may qualify if you have:

A body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher
A BMI of 30 or higher plus heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or chronic kidney disease at stage 3a or higher
A BMI of 27 or higher plus prediabetes, a previous heart attack or stroke, or symptomatic peripheral artery disease

You may also qualify for coverage of a GLP-1 drug if you started taking a GLP-1 drug prior to the start of the Bridge program and you met the eligibility conditions when you started taking the drug, even though you may not qualify now. For example, if you started taking a GLP-1 drug in January 2025 and at that time your BMI was 35, you may qualify for the Bridge program even if your current BMI is 25.

Medicare has additional clinical definitions and requirements for these conditions. Your health care provider will determine whether you meet the program's criteria.

You generally aren't eligible for the Bridge program if you already get GLP-1 drugs through your Part D coverage or if you have certain conditions for which GLP-1 treatment may be covered through regular Part D rules, including:

Type 2 diabetes
Moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea
Certain fatty liver disease

Having one of these conditions may make you ineligible for the Bridge program even if your particular Medicare drug plan doesn't currently cover the medication. In that situation, regular Part D coverage and exception rules may apply.

You must also have qualifying Medicare drug coverage. That can include:

A standalone Medicare Part D plan
A Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage
A Special Needs Plan with drug coverage
Certain employer or union Medicare drug plans
The LI NET program

How Do You Get Started?

The process starts with your health care provider rather than your Medicare drug plan.

Talk with your health care provider. Ask whether one of the covered medications is medically appropriate for you and whether you meet Medicare's BMI and health-condition requirements.
If they agree, your provider will send a prescription to your pharmacy. The medication must be prescribed as part of a treatment plan that includes diet and physical activity.
The first fill may take extra time. The pharmacy's initial claim may trigger a prior-authorization request to your provider. Once the required prior authorization is submitted, CMS says an approval or denial will generally be communicated within 72 hours.
Watch for a letter from Medicare. If your prior authorization is approved, Medicare will send you a letter confirming coverage through the Bridge program.
Be prepared to provide your Medicare information at the pharmacy. Your pharmacy may need your Medicare Number or, in some circumstances, the last four digits of your Social Security Number to process the claim.

Once approved, the prior authorization generally remains valid through December 31, 2027, including for refills and dose changes. A new authorization may be required if you change to a different GLP-1 medication covered by the Bridge.

How Does the $50 Copay Work?

The $50 copay works differently from what you normally pay for medications covered by your Part D plan because Bridge program medications are paid for outside your regular Part D benefit.

For medications you receive through the Bridge program:

You pay a flat $50 copay for a one-month supply
The $50 does not count toward your Part D deductible or annual out-of-pocket limit
It will not appear on your Part D Explanation of Benefits or your Medicare Summary Notice
Extra Help does not reduce the $50 copay
The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan cannot be used to spread the $50 cost across monthly payments

Those differences are especially important to understand if you receive Extra Help or are tracking your prescription drug spending toward your Part D out-of-pocket limit.

Your Next Step

If you think you might qualify for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, start by talking with your health care provider. Your provider can help determine whether one of the covered medications is appropriate for you and whether you meet Medicare's eligibility requirements.

The GLP-1 Bridge is currently scheduled to end December 31, 2027, so it's also worth discussing how your treatment and coverage options could change after the program period ends.

If you have questions about your current Medicare drug coverage, we're happy to help you understand how your plan works and where the GLP-1 Bridge program may fit in.

This article is accurate as of August 2026. The GLP-1 Bridge program keeps evolving, so it is good to keep an eye out for ongoing updates.

Medicare Scam Calls and Fake Agents Are Getting Harder to Spot

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 06:00:12 GMT

Who's Really on the Other End of That Medicare Call?

The phone rings. The voice on the other end says your name, your age, and your address. It sounds official. It may even sound friendly. And within a minute, you are being asked to confirm your Medicare number. What do you do?

Complaints about Medicare-related scam calls have climbed sharply over the past year. Reports to the Better Business Bureau indicate that these kinds of calls remain a major concern for people Medicare. Some have even described getting dozens of these calls in a single day. Enrollment season tends to make it worse, because legitimate outreach picks up at the same time criminals do.

Here is how these calls tend to sound, and how to protect yourself.

The Three Pitches You Are Most Likely to Hear

Many Medicare scam calls follow similar scripts. Once you recognize a few key patterns, the calls lose a lot of their power.

"You qualify for extra benefits"

A recorded voice says it is reaching out to make sure you receive unclaimed Medicare benefits. The recording asks whether you have Part A and Part B, then transfers you to a live person. The real goal is either to get your personal information or to switch you to a plan you did not ask for.

"Your card is expiring"

The caller warns that your Medicare card is about to expire, or that your coverage could be interrupted unless you verify a few details. Fear and urgency are the strategy here. If you hand over your Medicare number or Social Security number, criminals can use it to steal your identity or bill you for services you never received.

"Something free is on the way"

Free braces. Free hearing aids. Free gift cards or a free smartphone. The offered gift is bait. One woman in Texas received a large box of orthopedic braces she never ordered, and later learned Medicare had been billed more than $700 for them. Her secondary insurer was charged as well, and additional claims were filed for supplies she never requested.

Fraudulent claims can also leave inaccurate information in your medical records, including diagnoses for conditions you do not have.

Fake Agents Are Part of the Problem

Not every scammer sounds like a robot. Some present themselves as licensed insurance agents. They may reference a well-known carrier, quote a plan name, or offer to walk you through your options right now over the phone.

A few things a real agent will not do:

Pressure you to decide something during a first call
Refuse to give you a full name, license number, or office phone number
Ask you to pay by gift card, wire transfer, or a payment app
Tell you that you must act today or lose your coverage
Show up at your door uninvited to sell you a plan

Verifying an agent is simpler than most people expect. Ask for their name and license number, then hang up and call the agency's main office number yourself. You can also check the license with your state Department of Insurance. Anyone who is legitimate will not mind you doing this; they know you need to be careful.

Habits That Keep You Safe

Treat unexpected Medicare calls with skepticism, even friendly ones
Never give your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details to someone who called you
Remember that Medicare generally reaches out by mail first and does not call to ask for your Medicare number or banking information
Hang up on anyone who pressures you or claims your coverage is at risk
Read your Medicare Summary Notices and Explanation of Benefits statements and look for charges you do not recognize
Report anything unfamiliar right away

Hanging up may feel rude, but it is the single most effective thing you can do.

If You Think You Already Shared Something You Shouldn't Have

Act quickly, but do not panic. Write down what you shared and when. Review your recent statements. Then report it. You can contact the Senior Medicare Patrol program in your state, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

The Easiest Defense Is a Person You Already Know

Scam calls work because they catch people on their own and unsure. Having a licensed agent you already trust means you have someone in your corner. You have a number you can call to ask whether an offer is real before you respond to it. If you have questions about a call you received, or you want a second set of eyes on your current coverage, reach out to our office. We are here to help you!

It's Time to Prepare for Medicare Annual Enrollment

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 06:00:27 GMT

Plan Ahead for the Best Results

As we head into fall, it's time to think about an important Medicare milestone: the Annual Enrollment Period. If you're on Medicare, this is your chance to review your coverage and make changes if your needs have shifted, or if there will be changes to your current plan that you don’t like.

Key Dates for Annual Enrollment in 2026

October 1, 2026: Plan details for 2027 go live. You can start comparing Medicare Advantage (Part C) and prescription drug (Part D) options in your area, though you can't make changes yet.

October 15 – December 7, 2026: Enrollment is officially open. This is when you can:

Join a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan
Switch to a different plan
Drop coverage or switch back to Original Medicare

January 1, 2027: Any changes you made take effect. Make sure you review your new plan documents so you understand your coverage and costs.

What About Medigap?

If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, it works differently. The rules for joining or switching a Medigap plan are more complicated than those for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Reach out to us to discuss your options.

How to Get Ready Now

Between now and October, set aside some time to prepare.

Gather recent medical bills and receipts
Make or update your complete list of current medications and doses
List the doctors and hospitals you have used most over the past year
Check your current plan's summary of coverage
Watch for your Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC) from your health insurance company (usually arrives in late September)—this tells you what's changing in your coverage, costs, provider and pharmacy network, and benefits for 2027
Schedule a review session with our team starting October 1—slots fill up fast

The more organized you are, the easier it will be to make confident choices.

Let's Plan Ahead

Whether you want to stick with what you have or explore new options, we can help you understand your current plan, see what else is available, and make sure your doctors and prescriptions and other benefits are covered. Schedule now to meet with us starting October 1st.

If you have questions now about the process and what to expect, reach out anytime. We're here to help make the process as straightforward and successful as possible.