Medicare beneficiaries will have an opportunity to review and make changes to their Medicare coverage during the annual Open Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 through December 7.
This is the annual period when people with Medicare can make changes to their Medicare Advantage health and Part D prescription drug plans for the following year.
During the Open Enrollment Period, beneficiaries can:
- Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare.
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
- Switch from one Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to another.
- Enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan if they did not enroll when first eligible. A late enrollment penalty may apply.
Beneficiaries are encouraged to pay close attention to mail received during the fall. Important information may come from current insurance companies, Social Security and Medicare.
If a health insurance or prescription drug plan is changing premiums, co-pays or other coverage for the coming year, beneficiaries should receive information from their insurance company in October outlining the changes. Letters may also contain information about actions beneficiaries need to take regarding eligibility for state and federal assistance programs.
Medicare offers an online plan comparison tool at www.medicare.gov, where beneficiaries can compare Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.
Changes made during the Open Enrollment Period will take effect January 1, 2027.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1 through March 31 each year. The changes available during this period are more limited.
During this period, Medicare Advantage enrollees can:
- Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan.
- Drop a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Return to Original Medicare.
- Add a standalone Part D prescription drug plan, but only if they dropped their Medicare Advantage plan and returned to Original Medicare.
Changes made during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period generally take effect the first day of the following month.
Free SHIP Assistance Available
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program, known as SHIP, provides free and impartial health insurance counseling for people with Medicare. SHIP does not sell insurance.
SHIP has more than 75 sites throughout Indiana, with counselors available to assist beneficiaries in person, by phone or virtually.
Beneficiaries can find a SHIP site near them through the Indiana Department of Insurance website at www.in.gov/ship/find-an-indiana-ship-location/.
SHIP also coordinates educational events throughout Indiana. A statewide list of presentations and events is available at www.in.gov/ship/ship-presentations-and-events/.
SHIP is provided by the Administration for Community Living and the Indiana Department of Insurance and is part of a federal network of State Health Insurance Assistance Programs located throughout the United States.
All SHIP services are free.
For questions regarding this information, contact Sarah Peeper at 317-558-9192 or SPeeper@idoi.in.gov.