Open Enrollment and Comparing Plans

The Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period is from October 15 to December 7.

New Self Help Packets for Important Medicare Changes in 2026

We’ve been receiving many calls about Medicare Advantage and Drug plans terminating and changing networks for 2026. Many people in Chippewa County will need to review their options and take action. To meet 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)

How do I compare and enroll in a Medicare plan?

• Option 1: Compare plans on the Medicare website. To help guide you, we offer Step-by-Step Instructions (PDF) and a YouTube Tutorial, along with directions How to Read Your PlanFinder Results (PDF) to show you how to understand the details.
• Option 2: Call 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227). Have your Medicare ID number and list of medications ready. Follow our Step-by-Step Instructions (PDF) for calling Medicare.
• Option 3: If you don’t have access to a computer or a family or friend that does, and you're not comfortable calling Medicare, you can contact our Benefits Specialists from the ADRC at 715-726-7777. We have limited availability with over 16,000 people in Chippewa County needing to compare their plans every Open Enrollment Period, so we have to reserve our assistance to those who truly have no other means. We focus on finding a plan that has drug coverage that works well with your medications, but we don't have the capacity to check into the healthcare details with an Advantage Plan, such as finding a plan that is in network with your preferred clinic. As another option, we can offer a list of insurance companies to find an agent.

Importance of Open Enrollment

Plans can change their benefits, costs, networks, and 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 are an estimated over 16,000 people in Chippewa County on Medicare. The Aging and 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 who want a little more guidance. Ultimately, we have to focus our time on individuals who 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 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. 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.