June 2026 Newsletter

It’s almost that time of year. Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is right around the corner, starting October 15 and running through December 7. This is the time for Medicare beneficiaries to compare coverage options to figure out what’s best and if needed, make changes.

• 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, 2027

An important note – in 2027, many beneficiaries may be faced with higher costs for Prescription Drug Plans. As plans move forward to end subsidies used to help reduce the cost of Medicare drug coverage, millions of beneficiaries could see higher Medicare Part D premiums, especially those beneficiaries with stand-alone drug plans.

Helpful tips during Medicare’s OEP:

• Plans can change from year to year. Health care needs can change too. Reviewing options annually can mean better coverage, saving money, or both for beneficiaries.
• Beneficiaries should review their plan’s Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) documents to find out about 2027 changes planned, including costs, benefits and coverage, lists of covered drugs (drug formulary), and provider and pharmacy networks.
• Beneficiaries and their caregivers should confirm if prescribed medications as well as health care providers will be included in their plan’s coverage.
• Medicare.gov and 1-800-MEDICARE are the official sources for Medicare Open Enrollment. 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.

Beneficiaries in need of guidance understanding 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 and 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 network of trained team members located in communities throughout the state, who are a go-to resource for free, unbiased, health insurance counseling all year round.

So, get rolling…contact CHOICES by calling 1-800-994-9422.