The Illinois Department on Aging is encouraging beneficiaries to educate themselves on Medicare plan options before Medicare’s Open Enrollment period begins on Thursday, according to a news release from the Illinois Department on Aging.
Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment Period runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 and allows beneficiaries to change, join, or drop certain Medicare plans.
“It is good practice to make sure your prescriptions will still be on the formulary for next year’s plan or just shop around for a better Part D plan that may save you money next year,” Senior Health Insurance Program Director Sandy Leith said in the release. “If you take your Medicare through a Medicare Advantage plan, check to see what the copays for health and drug benefits will cost you in 2027. There are some plans that are not renewing for 2027; make sure to contact your plan if you received a letter of non-renewal. There may be other options within the same company for you.”
Current beneficiaries should soon receive their plan’s Annual Notice of Change, which lists any changes in the plan’s cost and coverage for the upcoming year, according to the release.
The Illinois’ Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program utilizes over 1,000 trained volunteers to offer Medicare counseling, according to the release.
The “Medicare & You” handbook also contains information about Medicare benefits, costs, rights and protections, health and drug plans, and answers to common questions, according to the release.
All Medicare households were mailed an updated handbook in September. The handbook is also available online at medicare.gov/publications.
For more information on Medicare options and how to save money, the Illinois Department on Aging urges beneficiaries to contact Illinois’ Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program by calling 800-252-8966 or emailing aging.ship@Illinois.gov.
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October 13, 2026 at 02:34PM
