MARIETTA, Ohio – Medicare Open Enrollment starts October 15. This is an opportunity for recipients to review their current coverage, compare plans, and make changes for 2027.
Buckeye Hills Regional Council, your Area Agency on Aging, encourages residents in its eight-county region to use this annual enrollment period and get help to make sure their coverage still fits their health care needs and budget.
During Open Enrollment, you can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Medicare Advantage plans, or join, change, or drop a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Most changes take effect on January 1, 2027. The enrollment period ends December 7.
Ohio’s Next Generation MyCare program is now available statewide. It offers coordinated health care coverage for eligible Ohioans who have both Medicare and full Medicaid. The program combines Medicare and Medicaid benefits in one plan and may also include extra benefits like transportation and long-term care services.
Even if you are satisfied with your current coverage, review your plan every year. Premiums, deductibles, drug coverage, out-of-pocket costs, and provider networks can change each year.
Buckeye Hills Regional Council can help residents understand their Medicare options and guide them through the enrollment process. Residents are encouraged to contact Buckeye Hills for help reviewing their choices and figuring out next steps.
If you need help with Medicare, call Buckeye Hills Regional Council at 1-800-331-6244.
You can also find more resources through the Ohio Department of Insurance’s Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP), which offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Visit www.insurance.ohio.gov/consumers/medicare or call 1-800-686-1578 to learn more.