Medicare can be incredibly complicated and confusing, with numerous plans, options, and rules that can change each year. That’s why Medicare open enrollment, from October 15 to December 7, is so important. Reassessing coverage annually is essential to ensure the best care at the lowest cost, as even small plan changes can significantly impact out-of-pocket expenses.

Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offering free, unbiased counseling to help navigate these decisions, with each state and county having its own version. For example, in California, it’s called the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), while in Michigan, it’s known as the Michigan Medicare Assistance Program (MMAP). Every county across the country has a SHIP office ready to provide personalized support.

One of our recent stories from Michigan shows how valuable these resources can be. With the help of a SHIP volunteer, a beneficiary discovered that a preferred pharmacy would no longer be in-network for the upcoming year. By switching plans, she avoided additional costs of $18,000. This example underscores the importance of being proactive during open enrollment to achieve significant savings and better healthcare.

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