Medicare Open Enrollment: Making the Smart Choice for 2026
October 15 through December 7 is Medicare’s Open Enrollment period — your annual opportunity to review your health and prescription coverage for the year ahead. Choosing the right plan isn’t just about cost; it’s about ensuring access to your doctors, hospitals, and prescriptions while protecting your long-term coverage options.
Let’s walk through what you need to know — and what to avoid — this enrollment season.
Step 1: Review Your Current Coverage Carefully
Every year, Medicare plans make changes that can affect your coverage and your wallet. Before you make any move:
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Check your prescription drug coverage (Part D): Make sure your medications are still covered and that their pricing tiers haven’t changed.
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Confirm your provider network: Ensure your preferred doctors, specialists, and hospitals remain in-network.
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Look at total cost — not just the premium: A plan with a $0 premium isn’t necessarily cheaper once you factor in copays, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket limits.
A good plan should balance low out-of-pocket costs, a strong national network, and comprehensive drug coverage.
Step 2: Know Which Type of Plan Is Right for You
There’s a lot of noise during Open Enrollment — TV ads, flyers, and sales calls pushing “$0 premium” Medicare Advantage plans. But it’s important to know that not all MAPD plans are created equal.
Here’s how to think through your situation:
🧾 If You’re Enrolled in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan
Stay where you are.
You already have the flexibility to see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare — without network restrictions.
👉 Do not switch from your Medigap (Med Supp) plan to an individual Medicare Advantage (MAPD) plan unless you fully understand the trade-offs.
Once you leave your Med Supp, you may lose your guaranteed right to re-enroll later without medical underwriting. That means if your health changes, you could be denied coverage or charged more to get your Med Supp back.
The only exception?
If you later become eligible for a group MAPD plan (offered through your employer or union), that’s worth considering — because it’s a completely different type of plan.
👥 If You Have Access to a Group Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) Plan
You’re in the best position of all.
Group MAPD plans are negotiated on behalf of large retiree populations and offer stronger benefits than most individual plans.
Here’s why you should take advantage of your group coverage:
✅ $0 Deductible and Lower Copays – Most group MAPDs offer comprehensive benefits with predictable costs.
✅ Integrated RX Coverage – One plan, one card, one contact for all your medical and prescription needs.
✅ National Network Access – Travel, relocate, or see specialists across the country without losing coverage.
✅ Dedicated Member Support – Your group plan comes with advocates who help resolve issues — something you don’t get with retail individual plans.
✅ Future Flexibility – If your group plan ever ends, you’ll receive a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to re-enroll in your original Medicare Supplement — with no medical underwriting.
Step 3: Don’t Get Caught by the Noise
Television commercials and sales pitches often promote individual Medicare Advantage plans that sound too good to be true. For most retirees, especially those with an existing Med Supp or access to a group plan, these offers are not an upgrade — they’re a downgrade.
Before making a change, confirm:
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Do you have access to a group MAPD through your retiree organization or union?
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Will your doctors and medications still be covered?
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Could switching impact your ability to return to your Med Supp later?
If you’re unsure, reach out to your retiree benefits administrator or Solidarity Health Network for guidance.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the right Medicare plan is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your health and finances each year.
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Stay in your Med Supp if you’re satisfied and don’t have access to a group plan.
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Enroll in your Group MAPD if your retiree plan offers one — it’s richer, safer, and better supported than any individual plan on the market.
This Open Enrollment season, tune out the noise and make the choice that protects your coverage, your care, and your peace of mind.
Call us for more information – 1-888-338-7677