Medicare Open Enrollment is Underway: What You Need to Know
The Medicare Open Enrollment Period is now underway and continues through December 7th. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries are encouraged to review their coverage to ensure it continues to meet their healthcare and financial needs. Any changes made to a Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan during Open Enrollment will take effect on January 1, 2026.
Reviewing Coverage for 2026
All Medicare beneficiaries should have received the 2026 Medicare & You Handbook, which provides important updates, coverage options, and answers to frequently asked questions. The handbook also includes listings of available health and prescription drug plans in Pennsylvania.
Beneficiaries should also have received their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) from their current plan by September 30. This notice outlines any changes in costs, coverage, or benefits for the coming year. If the plan will not continue in 2026, beneficiaries should have received a notice by early October stating that coverage will end on December 31, 2025.
Plan Marketing and Consumer Protections
As of October 1st, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans began marketing their 2026 options. Beneficiaries should be cautious of misleading advertisements or aggressive sales tactics. Insurance agents and brokers are not allowed to visit homes without an invitation or make unsolicited calls or texts. Beneficiaries are advised to carefully review all plan information before enrolling and to be wary of anyone pressuring them to make changes.
Suspected Medicare marketing scams, fraud, or abuse can be reported to Pennsylvania’s Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 1-800-356-3606 or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Tools for Comparing Plans
The Medicare Plan Finder Tool at Medicare.gov allows beneficiaries to easily compare health and prescription drug plans. By creating a free Medicare account—now requiring a valid email address—users can view personalized coverage details, verify Extra Help status, compare plan costs and benefits, and estimate out-of-pocket expenses based on prescriptions and preferred pharmacies.
Need Help? Call PA MEDI.
Beneficiaries seeking help understanding or comparing Medicare options can turn to PA MEDI (Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight) for free, unbiased counseling. Trained PA MEDI counselors can help evaluate plan choices and assist in selecting the coverage that best fits individual needs. PA MEDI’s statewide helpline is available at 1-800-783-7067. Additional information, including local events and contact details, can be found on the PA MEDI website.
