What would you think about a bakery that had unbelievable pastries and cakes in their display case and when you made your selection you were told that you would have to wait 15 days to pick it up? Crazy, right?
But that is exactly how the beginning of the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period starts. From Oct. 1 until Oct. 15 the only thing you can do is look. All we can do is review, explain and recommend, but we can’t enroll you in a new plan if that is what you desire.
For the majority of Medicare beneficiaries, after reviewing their annual notice of change (ANOC) and talking to their agent, they will most likely stay with their current plan. So, the 15 day moratorium isn’t a big deal. But for those who wish to make a change it makes no sense to meet until after Oct. 15. But what if you don’t know which direction you want to go with for 2026?
The biggest concern all beneficiaries should have is does their current plan meet their needs for the next year. Were the changes shown on the ANOC acceptable and did you understand them. But here’s the issue I see with the ANOC, it only tells you the changes to your current plan.
As I said before, if you’re happy with the changes to your current plan than your done and your plan will continue for 2026. But how do you know if you’re happy? What if there is a plan that will give you every benefit plus add a few or lower your out-of-pocket cost?
The limitations to the ANOC almost certainly make at least a phone conversation mandatory with your agent. Especially this year.
There is a large number of you who have not received an ANOC, but instead you’ve received a letter informing you that your current plan is being eliminated completely. It is up to you to go find a new plan. No automatic crossover. No nothing. Plus, if you don’t seek out a new plan before Dec. 31 (the extended enrollment period) you will wake up on Jan. 1, 2026, covered only by Medicare Parts A & B without any supplemental coverage.
A place you do not want to be.
Sadly, I’ve already received calls from people who got their letter of cancellation and called their carrier. They were connected to a customer service representative who informed them that their plan was still being offered in 2026. They were really confused and fortunately called me.
The plan they currently have is being eliminated in northwest Lower Michigan but is still available in the southern half of the state. The customer service representatives for the company didn’t have the information or know that the plan was disappearing for anyone north of M-55.
This type of misinformation is dangerous and in some case deadly. Someone may assume all is well and do nothing only to be completely blindsided in January. So, if you or someone you know gets a letter that informs them that their plan is going away, believe it.
If you question it, call me and I will help you manage through the situation and make all the needed changes to ensure you continuation of coverage.
So far it’s been confirmed that there are plan cancellations for Medicare Advantage plans from the following companies: Blue Cross/Blue Shield-both individual and retiree group plans; U-M Health Plans; Aetna; UnitedHealth/AARP and Humana. In addition, if you have a standalone prescription drug plan there are numerous plan changes and cancelations as well.
Couple these cancellations with the proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid funding and 2026 is starting out to be a complex and challenging for all. For approximately 175,000 Michiganders there is no alternative but to find a new plan within their current carrier or move to another one that fits their needs. For the rest of us, we still need to review and understand the changes our plans will have for next year.
Give me a call and we can get through this together.
Please note that seminar at The Village at LaFranier Woods is filled with remaining seats reserved for residents. You are still welcome to join me at Village at Bay Ridge.
Call for dates.