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October is a critical time to review your Medicare coverage. Starting October 1, you can begin comparing your current Medicare coverage — whether Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or a Medicare drug plan — against other options available for the coming year. Start by reviewing your plan's Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which your plan mailed in September. It explains changes to your plan's costs and coverage that will take effect January 1. Pay attention to any changes that could affect you, and we can help you compare your current coverage with other available options to see how well it may meet your needs in the coming year.

Beginning October 15, Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) officially opens. During this time, you can enroll in, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug plan, or switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. AEP continues through December 7, and changes made during this period generally take effect January 1.

Contact our office today to schedule time to walk through your choices. We will help you make a confident decision before AEP ends on December 7.

During Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period, your mailbox, phone, and television may be filled with messages about coverage. Scammers take advantage of that activity, hoping their pitch will blend in with legitimate plan information.

AEP runs from October 15 through December 7. While you're reviewing your options, someone may call claiming you need a replacement Medicare card, must verify your information to keep your benefits, or qualify for something “free.” The goal may be to steal your Medicare number, personal information, or money. An unexpected request for sensitive information deserves a pause.

Artificial intelligence is making these schemes harder to recognize. Criminals can use AI to write convincing emails and create realistic voices, including imitations made from short recordings. A message may sound professional, contain no obvious spelling mistakes, or even resemble someone you know. Those familiar warning signs are no longer enough.

This doesn't mean every unfamiliar call is fraudulent. It means a convincing voice, official-looking logo, or familiar caller ID isn't proof of identity. Scammers can disguise phone numbers and use personal details to make their stories seem credible. Pressure to act immediately, threats about losing coverage, or demands for payment are reasons to stop the conversation.

Protect your Medicare number as carefully as your banking information. Don't share it with an unexpected caller or enter it through a link in an unsolicited message. Medicare won't contact you out of the blue to demand payment for a new card. If something seems questionable, hang up and call our office, your plan, or Medicare using a number you already trust.

If you've already shared information, act promptly. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to report suspected misuse of your Medicare number, and contact your bank if financial information was involved. Review your Medicare or plan statements for services you don't recognize.

Annual enrollment is an opportunity to review your coverage thoughtfully. Contact our office with questions about a message or offer before responding. A little verification can help protect both your information and your coverage.

The ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is just around the corner. In most states Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1 through January 15, giving individuals and families an opportunity to enroll in coverage, renew an existing plan or choose a different option for the year ahead. Enrollment deadlines can vary by state, so contact our agency to confirm the exact dates that apply to you.

Now is a good time to start getting prepared. Think about what may be different for your household in 2027, including expected income, household size, health care needs, prescriptions, and preferred doctors or other health care providers. If you already have Marketplace coverage, watch for notices from both the Marketplace and your insurance company regarding your 2027 coverage. Keep those notices handy—they can contain important information about your current plan, changes for the new year, and steps you may need to take.

Even if you’re happy with your current coverage, it’s worth reviewing your options once 2027 plans are available. Plans, premiums and benefits can change from year to year, and your own needs may have changed as well. When comparing plans, look beyond the monthly premium and consider deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs, whether your doctors and other providers participate in the plan’s network, and whether your prescriptions and preferred pharmacies are covered. If you receive financial assistance through the Marketplace, start thinking now about your 2027 income estimates and household information so the Marketplace can determine the savings for which you may qualify.

Get a head start on Open Enrollment. Contact our agency to schedule an appointment for November 1 or later to review your 2027 Marketplace coverage options. When Open Enrollment begins, we can help you compare available plans, review costs and coverage, and consider which option may fit your needs and budget.