December 2025 Newsletter

Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment Period (OEP) started October 15 and closed on December 7. Traditionally, this is the time when Medicare beneficiaries compare coverage options to decide what’s best and if needed, make changes to their current plans.

During Medicare Open Enrollment, beneficiaries can:

• Join a new Medicare Part D Drug Plan
• Join a new Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan
• Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
• Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare (with or without a Part D Plan)
• Make changes that will be effective January 1, 2026

While the open enrollment period just closed, it’s important to understand that life circumstances can change, and Medicare beneficiaries have CHOICES, literally and figuratively, throughout the year. Beneficiaries in need of guidance to understand their options can reach out to their local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

Across the country, SHIPs help Medicare beneficiaries compare their options, assist with plan enrollments, and determine eligibility for programs designed to help beneficiaries save money on their Medicare costs. In Connecticut, the SHIP is known as CHOICES, a national program that provides free, unbiased insurance counseling and education for those who are Medicare-eligible, their families and their caregivers. The program is provided in partnership with the State of Connecticut Aging and Disability Services, the Area Agencies on Aging, and the Center for Medicare Advocacy. Counseling is provided to beneficiaries by a large cadre of trained team members throughout the community.

These trained counselors can also provide beneficiaries with information to get another Medicare plan outside of the open enrollment period by qualifying for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Life events that qualify for a Special Enrollment Period include:

Moving: You can get an SEP if you move to a new location, whether inside or outside your current plan’s service area, or if you move into or out of a facility.

Losing other coverage: Losing creditable prescription drug coverage, retiree coverage, or COBRA coverage is a qualifying event.

Medicare plan changes: Your current Medicare plan can no longer serve your area, or it terminates its contract with Medicare.

Exceptional circumstances: You can also qualify if you are affected by a natural disaster or government-declared emergency. Incarcerated individuals can also enroll or re-enroll after their release.

Medicaid/Extra Help: Starting in 2025, beneficiaries who receive assistance from Medicaid or Extra Help can change their plan coverage once a month.
As always, beware of marketing fraud by avoiding individuals who pressure beneficiaries to join their plan, contact beneficiaries without their permission, or threaten loss of Medicare benefits if someone does not sign up for their plan.

Navigating the Medicare landscape can be confusing, so it’s important to talk to a trained counselor. Contact CHOICES by calling 1-800-994-9422.