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Medicare Open Enrollment starts Oct. 15 for 2027 plans

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Starting tomorrow, October 15, you can change your Medicare coverage during the Open Enrollment period, which lasts until December 7. This affects anyone enrolled in Medicare, including those with prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner offers a free Medicare Jumpstart Toolkit to help you understand your options and make informed decisions. During this enrollment period, you can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, or change your prescription drug plan. It's important to review your current plan's costs and coverage, as these can change each year. Use the resources available, like the Plan Finder and the Medicare & You handbook, to compare options. If you have questions or need help, reach out to the SHIBA program for assistance.

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October 14, 2026 OLYMPIA, Wash. — Don't miss your opportunity to make changes to your Medicare coverage. Medicare’s Open Enrollment period for prescription drug plans (Part D) and Medicare Advantage plans starts tomorrow, Oct. 15, and ends Dec. 7. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s SHIBA program is here to help you with free, unbiased information about your options. “We know Medicare Open Enrollment can be daunting and a little confusing,” said Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer. “ Our Medicare Jumpstart Toolkit can help you get organized, so you have a better understanding of your current coverage and your options for the coming year. This will make it easier to decide if you need to make a change.” Order a free Medicare Jumpstart Toolkit online or pick one up at your local library or senior center. During Medicare open enrollment, you can: Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan or vice versa. Join, drop, or switch a Part D prescription drug plan, if you’re on Original Medicare. Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan available in your county. Medicare is not a one-size-fits-all program. Everyone’s needs are different. Before you make a final decision, consider: Plan costs and coverage can change every year, so review and keep all letters and notices your current plan sends you. Get our Medicare Jumpstart Toolkit to help you get organized! List all the current prescription drugs you take, the doses, and how often. Then, use the Plan Finder to compare Part D prescription drug plans. Review the 2027 Medicare & You handbook (PDF, 3.5MB) . You should receive it in the mail by mid-October. Visit our Medicare Open Enrollment webpage that includes helpful videos. Attend a SHIBA webinar or go to a local SHIBA Medicare Open Enrollment clinic for 1:1 counseling help – check out our events calendar . If you have questions, visit SHIBA online or call us at 800-562-6900 before you make any decisions about your plan. To schedule a counseling appointment with a SHIBA volunteer, Monday through Friday: Find the phone number for the local SHIBA office near you. Contact us online . Call us at 800-562-6900 and ask to speak with a SHIBA volunteer in your area.