Medicare Open Enrollment Is Underway

Southeast Tennessee residents with Medicare have until December 7, 2026, to review their health and prescription drug coverage for 2027.

The annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period began October 15, and changes made during this window generally take effect January 1, 2027.

Even if a current plan has worked well this year, checking its new terms can help prevent unexpected expenses or disruptions.

1. Read Your Plan's Annual Notice of Change

Medicare health and drug plans can adjust their premiums, deductibles, covered benefits, and other conditions from year to year.

Look for the Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage sent by the plan.

Compare the changes with what you actually used this year, especially any expensive treatments or recurring prescriptions.

If your existing plan will still be offered and continues to meet your needs, you do not have to change it just because enrollment is open.

2. Confirm Your Doctors and Hospitals

For Medicare Advantage coverage, provider networks can change.

Ask whether your regular physicians, specialists, preferred hospitals, and other providers will participate in your particular plan in 2027.

Confirm directly with both the plan and the provider when possible, and consider referral or prior-authorization rules.

A familiar insurance company name does not guarantee that every doctor remains in-network.

3. Review Every Prescription

Make a current list of medications, dosages, and pharmacies.

When comparing coverage, check each drug against the plan's 2027 formulary and look closely at copayments, deductibles, coverage restrictions, and preferred pharmacies.

Medicare's plan comparison tool can estimate annual costs using your drugs and pharmacy preferences.

Comparing the entire year's expected spending is often more helpful than looking only at the monthly premium.

4. Consider the Full Cost of Coverage

Monthly premiums are only one part of healthcare spending.

Review deductibles, doctor-visit charges, specialist costs, hospital coverage, and annual limits on out-of-pocket spending where applicable.

Check whether extra benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing, or transportation, are changing.

If you are considering switching between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare, understand the consequences for prescription coverage and supplemental Medigap insurance.

In particular, obtaining a new Medigap policy may depend on eligibility and medical underwriting outside certain protected enrollment rights.

5. Get Free, Unbiased Help

Tennessee's State Health Insurance Assistance Program, known as TN SHIP, offers free, confidential, unbiased Medicare counseling to beneficiaries, family members, and caregivers.

Its trained counselors can help people understand options and navigate plan comparisons without promoting a particular insurance company.

Call Tennessee SHIP at 1-877-801-0044 for assistance.

You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE or compare available 2027 plans using Medicare's official plan comparison service.

Do Not Miss December 7

December 7 is the deadline for most changes made during Medicare's annual Open Enrollment Period.

The enrollment request must reach the plan by that date for the change to take effect January 1, 2027.

People who are newly eligible for Medicare or experiencing certain life events may have different enrollment opportunities, so they should confirm their individual situation.

For seniors across Chattanooga and Southeast Tennessee, reviewing coverage now leaves time to ask questions and make a choice without a last-minute rush.