September is when Medicare planning for the upcoming year starts becoming much more important.
Annual Notice of Change documents begin arriving, 2027 plan information is approaching, Medicare advertising increases, and many beneficiaries start asking whether they should keep their current coverage or compare other options.
This week on the Medicare Plan Assistance blog, we’re focusing on five practical questions that can help you prepare before Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15. Medicare confirms that Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 each year.
Here’s what we’re covering September 7–11.
Monday, September 7
What Is a Medicare Annual Notice of Change—and Why Should You Keep It?
If you’re enrolled in a Medicare health or drug plan, watch your mail.
Your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) explains changes your current plan is making for the upcoming year.
Medicare says plans send ANOCs in September, and they can identify changes involving coverage, costs and other plan features that take effect in January.
We’ll explain:
- What an ANOC is
- Who receives one
- When it generally arrives
- Which changes deserve attention
- Why you shouldn’t treat it like ordinary insurance mail
- What to do before Open Enrollment
Monday’s takeaway: When the ANOC arrives, open it, review it and keep it.
Tuesday, September 8
Plan G vs. Plan N Before 2027: What Should New Medigap Shoppers Compare?
Plan G and Plan N are two popular standardized Medicare Supplement options, but choosing between them involves more than comparing monthly premiums.
We’ll look at differences involving cost-sharing, Plan N office and emergency-room copays, Part B excess charges and the overall tradeoff between paying more in premium versus accepting additional out-of-pocket responsibility.
We’re also going to address an especially important misconception:
Medicare Open Enrollment is not a universal annual Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
Under federal rules, your Medigap Open Enrollment Period generally lasts six months beginning the first month you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. Medicare explicitly notes that this is a one-time enrollment period and doesn’t repeat annually like Medicare Open Enrollment.
Tuesday’s takeaway: Compare the coverage—but understand the enrollment rules before attempting to change Medigap policies.
Wednesday, September 9
Your Doctor Says They “Take Medicare”—But Does That Mean They Take Your Medicare Advantage Plan?
This is one of the most important distinctions we’ll cover this week.
A doctor’s office saying:
“Yes, we take Medicare.”
doesn’t necessarily answer:
“Are you in-network with my specific Medicare Advantage plan?”
We’ll explain the difference between accepting Original Medicare and participating in a private Medicare Advantage plan’s network.
We’ll also give you a practical provider-verification process covering:
- Your plan’s provider information
- The doctor’s office
- Confirmation with the plan
- Specialists
- Hospitals and facilities
Wednesday’s takeaway: Don’t verify only your primary doctor. Your specialists and preferred hospitals can be just as important.
Thursday, September 10
Humana vs. UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage: What Should You Compare for 2027?
Which company is better?
That’s not the question we’re going to answer.
Instead, we’ll show you how to compare Medicare Advantage plans from two major carriers without declaring a universal winner.
The comparison should include:
Service area
HMO vs. PPO structure
Doctors and hospitals
Prescription coverage
Premiums and medical cost-sharing
Maximum out-of-pocket limits
Prior authorization
Supplemental benefits
Star Ratings
And most importantly, we’ll explain why the answer can change depending on where you live and which specific plans are available.
Thursday’s takeaway: Compare actual plans available to you—not carrier names alone.
Friday, September 11
Medicare Scam Calls: 10 Warning Signs You Should Hang Up
As Medicare Open Enrollment approaches, beneficiaries may receive considerably more Medicare-related advertising and calls.
Friday’s article will focus entirely on consumer protection.
We’ll cover warning signs such as:
- Pressure to act immediately
- Threats that you’ll “lose Medicare”
- Unexpected requests for your Medicare number
- Requests for your Social Security number
- Requests for banking information
- Suspicious requests to “verify” your coverage
- Promises of benefits without establishing eligibility
- Caller-ID spoofing
- Pressure to make an immediate payment
- Callers who don’t want you independently verifying what they’re telling you
Medicare itself warns that people may receive substantial Medicare marketing around Open Enrollment and identifies Medicare.gov, the Medicare & You handbook and 1-800-MEDICARE as official sources of unbiased Medicare information.
Friday’s takeaway: If something feels suspicious, end the call and independently contact a trusted source.
One Theme Connects All Five Articles
At first glance, these topics look very different.
But they all come back to one idea:
Don’t make a Medicare decision based on one piece of information.
Don’t stay with a plan simply because you’ve had it for years.
Don’t choose Plan G or Plan N based solely on premium.
Don’t assume “takes Medicare” means your Medicare Advantage plan is in-network.
Don’t choose a carrier solely because you recognize its name.
And don’t give personal information to someone simply because they claim they’re calling about Medicare.
Instead:
Verify. Compare. Ask questions. Then decide.
That’s the approach we’ll continue taking as we get closer to 2027 Medicare Open Enrollment.
Need Help Before Open Enrollment?
You don’t have to wait until October 15 to start organizing your Medicare information.
Make a list of your:
- Doctors and specialists
- Hospitals
- Prescriptions
- Pharmacy
- Current premium
- Important copays
- Benefits you actually use
- Expected healthcare needs for 2027
Then you’ll be in a much better position to evaluate your options once the relevant 2027 plan information is available.
If you have Medicare questions now, Medicare Plan Assistance can help you understand your coverage and prepare for the decisions ahead.
Call Medicare Plan Assistance at (561) 808-9410.
Local help. Clear answers. Better decisions.
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