If you’re a Medicare beneficiary, now is the time to review your plan and your options for 2027.
The Medicare Open Enrollment Period begins Oct. 15 and runs for eight weeks. Changes must be made by Dec. 7 to guarantee your coverage will begin uninterrupted on Jan. 1, 2027.
Many plans have indicated that they intend to have increases, some significantly. This is not the year to simply say, “I’m happy with what I have,” without exploring your options.
Changes to your plan could affect your premiums, out-of-pocket costs, prescription drug coverage or the doctors, hospitals and pharmacies you can use. Your personal health care needs may have also changed, so it’s a good idea to review all options. Before choosing a plan, be sure to check with your health care providers to make sure they will continue to accept the plan next year.
The Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, also known as SHIIP, can help you sort through the Medicare maze and show you which plan works best for your situation.
SHIIP is a division of the Department of Insurance. It offers free, unbiased information about Medicare, including Medicare prescription drug coverage and Medicare Advantage plans. SHIIP also offers information on long-term care insurance and other health insurance issues. Our counselors can also help find out if you are eligible for Medicare cost savings programs.
In addition to having a staff of SHIIP counselors at the Department of Insurance’s Raleigh office, trained SHIIP counselors are available in all 100 North Carolina counties.
I encourage you to contact one of our SHIIP counselors at the Department of Insurance or your local SHIIP counselor before deciding what to do about your coverage for 2027. Our counselors may help you receive a more affordable and better Medicare health and/or drug plan in your area. For example, even if you’re happy with your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, there may be another plan in your area that covers your health care or prescription drugs at a better price.
Here are some of the ways you can compare plans available for 2027:
- Get one-on-one help from your local SHIIP office. You can locate a local office by going to www.ncshiip.comand scrolling down to the “More” window. Click on “Search for a Counselor by County.”
- Get one-on-one help from SHIIP by calling 855-408-1212 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Visit www.medicare.gov to compare your current coverage with all options available in your area. You can also enroll in a new plan if you decide to make a change.
- Review the Medicare & You handbook that was mailed to you earlier this fall.
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to find out more about your coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
- Contact your trusted licensed insurance agent.
Here’s a tip. Medicare insurers are not supposed to solicit door-to-door. If they come to your house uninvited, we’d like to hear from you. You can call our Senior Medicare Patrol program at 855-408-1212.
SHIIP counselors save seniors money. Last year, SHIIP counselors assisted more than 64,000 Medicare beneficiaries, saving them $41.7 million.
Our SHIIP counselors are not licensed insurance agents. They don’t sell, endorse or oppose any plan or company. They don’t get commissions or have a financial stake in any plan. They’re just interested in providing you with unbiased information about Medicare so you can make decisions that best suit your healthcare needs and budget.
