Tag: Annual Enrollment Period

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Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage Part D Prescription Drug

Medicare Annual Notice of Change for 2027

Each September, individuals currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plan will receive by mail a document called Annual Notice of Change (ANOC.)
The ANOC document spells out upcoming changes to the plan you are currently enrolled in and compares those changes to the current year.

Important Points:

  • The ANOC will be mailed by the insurance plan and should arrive by September 30th. Please do not discard this as junk mail. We advise you to read this carefully and make note of any premium, benefit and/or cost changes planned for the upcoming year.
  • Your ANOC document is specific for the plan you are enrolled in. If your spouse is enrolled in a different plan, their notice will be different.
  • The document will state that if you take no action during the Annual Enrollment Period, your plan will automatically be renewed January 1 with the new terms.
  • If your Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan is being discontinued in 2027, you will receive by October 2 a Notice of Termination instead of the Annual Notice of Change. That plan termination notice must include a list of other plans offered in your county.

What the ANOC Does Not Include:

  • The ANOC does not include a list of Medicare Advantage plan’s network of providers and facilities. We advise you double check with your agent to confirm that your current providers will remain “in-network” with the specific plan name.
  • The ANOC is not a substitute for the Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan’s formulary of covered medications and tier levels. We advise you double check with your agent to confirm whether your current medications will be included in the plan’s formulary for the next years and, if so, the medication’s assigned tier level.
  • The ANOC does not provide information on any other plan that may be available to you. All of the plans available in your county are published online at medicare.gov

The Calendar:

October 1: This is the first day when we can discuss with you other 2027 plans available in your area.
October 15 – December 7: This is the 2027 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. During this period, you can enroll in or change your Part C Medicare Advantage or Part D Medicare Prescription Drug plan.

Questions? Our team of local, licensed and independent agents are available to assist. Just send a quick note and s/he will be gald to get back to you.

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Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage Part D Prescription Drug

What If I Missed the Medicare AEP Deadline?

This year’s Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 through December 7) was a busy time and we are grateful for the hundreds of individuals and couples who permitted our team of agent advisors to help with their 2026 Part C Medicare Advantage plan selection. (The December 7 deadline does not apply to a Medicare Supplement plan selection.)

Q: But I missed that deadline. Is there another option for me to choose a new plan for 2026?
A: Possibly. Some Medicare participants are eligible for what is called a Special Enrollment Period during which you can make a change to your Medicare Advantage Plan.

Q: Am I eligible for a Special Enrollment Period?
A: Let’s look at some special situations that may apply to you. If one does, you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan coverage outside of the normal Annual Enrollment Period:

  • Has your 2025 Medicare Advantage Plan been discontinued? If so, you have some additional time to enroll in new coverage for January 1. One of our agents can assist you with finding a plan that matches your providers, medications and budget.
  • Do you belong to New York State EPIC?  If so, you have one Special Enrollment Period per calendar year to enroll in a new Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan. [Download the EPIC application here.] 
  • Are you a veteran? Many veterans may not be aware of a valid Special Election Period available by having their prescriptions filled through the Veterans Administration (VA.) Veterans can use that Special Enrollment Period to enroll in a “MA only” plan – a Medicare Advantage plan with no drug benefits.  Click here for more information on MA Only plans.
  • You may be eligible for Social Security Extra Help – Eligibility for this program is based on your income and assets. Extra Help subsidizes part or all of your plan’s premium, drug deductible and reduce prescription co-payment. With Extra Help, you may be able to make changes to your coverage one time during each of these periods:
    • January – March
    • April – June
    • July – September

Q: Do any of these Special Circumstances apply to Medicare Supplement plans?
A: No. However three states, including New York and Massachusetts, do require Medicare Supplement plan insurers to offer policies to Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older through continuous open enrollment, with guaranteed issue rights  throughout the year.

That means if you want to drop a Medicare Advantage plan (which includes prescription drug coverage) and return to Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement plan; you need a Special Enrollment Period to add the third piece, your Part D prescription drug coverage.

Q:  I’m not sure of my eligibility status, can you help me with my questions?
A: Yes. Simply use the form below and send a note to an agent advisor or call (518) 346-2115. We’ll discuss your options by telephone or Zoom web conference. And, during your Special Enrollment Period, we may be able to identify a Medicare Advantage, Medigap or Prescription Drug Plan more suited to your needs – even though the December 7 deadline has passed.

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Medicare Permission to Contact (PTC) guidelines require agents to obtain explicit, documented consent from a beneficiary before initiating any unsolicited outreach. The PTC consent expires after 9 months.
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My Licensed Sales Agent (in alphabetical order) *
Are You an Existing Client? *
This helps us prepare for our conversation
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Medicare Medicare A & B Medicare supplement Part C Medicare Advantage Part D Prescription Drug

About the 2026 Medicare Annual Enrollment

Annual Enrollment Period

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, from October 15th through December 7th, is when Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in or change their Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan to take effect January 1.

Some Important Tips to Consider if you are now enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plan:
  • You can leave your Medicare Advantage plan and enroll in another Medicare Advantage plan offered in your county. [We offer several]
  • Even if you decide to stay with your current Medicare Advantage plan, make sure your doctors and preferred hospitals are still in your network, especially if your plan is a HMO. 
  • You can leave Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare and purchase a Medicare Supplement (aka Medigap) policy. For New York State residents, acceptance is guaranteed and the continuous coverage transfer means no pre-existing condition limitations apply.
Some Important Tips to Consider if you HAVE ORIGINAL MEDICARE AND a Medicare SUPPLEMENT Plan:
  • The Annual Enrollment Period applies to your Part D drug plan only.
  • New York State residents can change their Medicare Supplement plan at any time of the year and without medical underwriting. An example could be changing from one company to another or changing from one plan (Plan F, Plan G, Plan N or High Deductible) to another. 
  • You can leave your Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan and join a Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Enrollment Period. There is no underwriting to move to a Medicare Advantage plan. You will be automatically accepted as long as your permanent address is within the coverage area.
  • Unless your prescription drugs are covered through the Veterans Administration, most individuals with Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement plan also add a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. We recommend updating your medication list and confirming – through your personal account at medicare.gov – which Part D drug plans will cover your prescriptions at the lowest annual out of pocket costs – that includes premium, deductible and prescription copay costs.

Our team of licensed, independent and certified agent advisors, from Long Island to the North Country, offer a no-obligation complimentary consultation to help you compare Medicare plans in your coverage area.

So, reach out to local agent by phone, an online note or book an appointment directly to his or her calendar and learn more about your Medicare plan options.

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Medicare

Get Questions Answered at “Medicare 101” Webinar

Are you going to be eligible for Medicare in the near future? Have you been enrolled in Medicare for awhile and want to better understand what it offers? Do you have a family member you help with Medicare issues?

If you answered yes, then “Medicare 101” is for you. This no sales-pitch educational webinar, led by multi-state licensed and Medicare Plan Specialist Dan Alcorn:

We’ll explore Medicare Parts A, B, C and D, the difference between a Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plan, and more. After registration, you will receive the login instructions by e-mail.

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