Medicare Open Enrollment 
Season Begins

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

It is that time of year again. On Thursday, October 15, Medicare’s Open Enrollment season begins and will remain open through December 7. Open enrollment season is the time of year when people with Medicare can make changes to their plan. This includes:

• Changing between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare.
• Adding or making changes to a Part D prescription drug plan.
• Enrolling in a Medicare supplemental insurance plan (Medigap).

The changes you make during this period will take effect in the new year on January 1, 2027.

Navigating Medicare Open Enrollment can be complicated — but you don’t have to do it alone. My office has put together some information below that should be helpful. This includes how to get in touch with your local area agency on aging, as well as through Medicare.gov. And of course, please do not hesitate to call my office at (802) 862-0697 or 1-800-339-9834 if you have questions. While we cannot advise you on which plan to choose, we will do our best to point you in the right direction for more information.

Sincerely,

Learn More About Your Medicare Options

Medicare Open Enrollment will remain open through Monday, December 7, 2026, with coverage changes taking effect January 1, 2027. Medicare’s Open Enrollment period gives people the opportunity to make changes to their health plan or prescription drug plan, pick a Medicare Advantage plan (which is now only available in some counties in Vermont), or return to Original Medicare (also referred to as Medicare Part A and Part B).

Even if your health needs have not changed, it is important to review your coverage options as Medicare plans can change their offerings and costs every year. If you need assistance with any of the below, find your local Area Agency on Aging HERE or the Vermont Senior Helpline at 1-800-642-5119. It is recommended that you call as soon as possible, as appointments with Agencies on Aging fill up quickly.

• Age Eligibility: Even though Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older, eligibility to sign up for Medicare begins three months before you turn 65. You also may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
• Medicare Savings Program: Medicare enrollees with limited income and resources may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program run by their state Medicaid program. The Medicare Savings Programs help pay Medicare premiums and may also pay Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments if people meet the conditions of eligibility. To learn more, contact your state Medicaid program or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
• Part D Extra Help: The Extra Help program helps with the cost of prescription drugs, including plan premiums, deductibles, and copays, if you meet the income and other conditions of eligibility. You can apply online HERE or by contacting Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.
• VPharm: This prescription drug assistance program helps pay for prescription medicines with affordable monthly premiums for those who are income eligible (income under 225% of the Federal Poverty Level). Contact the VT Medicaid program or your local Area Agency on Aging for more information. 

Comparing Plans and Doing Your Research

• Go to Medicare.gov to learn the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and do side-by-side comparisons of costs and coverage for Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans. Call 1-800-MEDICARE for assistance, available 24 hours a day.
• Access personalized health insurance counseling at no cost, available from the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Call the Senior Helpline at 1-800-642-5119 to get started. Many SHIPs also offer virtual counseling. Again, appointments fill up quickly, so please contact them as soon as possible if you would like assistance.
• Ensure the information you are looking at is unbiased, impartial, and accurate. It is important to keep a look out for websites tied to particular insurers or online agencies that may have strong incentives to push certain plans. Again, the best place to start is by visiting Medicare.gov, calling the Senior Helpline at 1-800-642-5119, or contacting your local Area Agency on Aging.