NEW Self Help Packets 

We’ve been receiving many calls about Medicare Advantage and Drug plans changing for 2026. Many people in Chippewa County will need to review their options and act. To help with the high demand for assistance, we’ve created self-help packets that are tailored to the below scenarios and walk you through your Medicare options.

Self Help Packet "My Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plan is changing networks" (PDF)

Self Help Packet "My Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plan is terminating" (PDF)

Self Help Packet "My Medicare Part D (Drug) Plan is changing or terminating" (PDF)

Why is Annual Open Enrollment so important?

Plans can change their benefits, costs, networks & the list of drugs that they cover every year. Each year from October 15 through December 7, beneficiaries have an opportunity to review and change their Medicare Part D Plan or Advantage Plan for the following calendar year.  For most people, this is the only time of year they may be able to change plans. People have saved hundreds of dollars in a year by switching to a different plan. The only way to find out if you can save money is to review and compare your plan options. See all the different ways to compare your plans.

There's an estimated 16,000+ people in Chippewa County on Medicare. The Aging & Disability Resource Center of Chippewa County only has one Elder Benefit Specialist to help older adults with their Medicare questions. Especially when Open Enrollment season comes, the reality is we don't have the capacity to help everyone compare their plans each year. Our efforts are geared towards empowering individuals and their caregivers to try comparing plans on their own. We have step-by-step instructions and videos for people that want a little more guidance. Ultimately, we have to focus our time on individuals that can't do it online, can't call Medicare, and don't have a friend or anyone else to help them. 

Timeline

 September

Read your mail. In September, your current Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan will send an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). It will include plan changes in coverage, benefits, costs and service areas for the upcoming year. This ANOC would also inform you if the plan is not going to be offered for the following year. Call them directly if you didn't receive this by the end of the September.

October 15 (Start of Open Enrollment)

For most people, this is the only time of year you can change your coverage. You (or another person you trust) can review your options. Click here to see methods for comparing your plans.

If your current plan is offered for the following year and you want to keep your same plan, you do not need to do anything. If you decide to change plans for the following year, you need to enroll in the new plan by December 7. It is not necessary to contact your current plan to inform them of the change; you will automatically be disenrolled from your old plan.

December 7 (End of Open Enrollment)

This is the last day to change plans. January 1st is when changes take effect. You should start to receive mail and an ID card from the new plan by mid-December.

January 1
 Your chosen Medicare plan is now in effect.

 

 

 

 

Note:  Medicare Supplements or Medigap Policies are not affected by Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period. Similarly, those on SeniorCare are not affected either, although if you've had medication changes then you may want to check Medicare plans to ensure SeniorCare is still the best option.