Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15, but East Tennessee seniors do not have to wait until then to start preparing.

In fact, October 1 marks the beginning of the comparison period for 2027 coverage. Medicare encourages beneficiaries to review their current health and prescription drug coverage before Open Enrollment begins. The annual enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7, with most changes taking effect January 1, 2027. 

For many people, the most important thing to remember is simple: you do not automatically need a new plan every year. But you should review the one you have.

Plans can change premiums, deductibles, prescription drug coverage, provider networks and other benefits from one year to the next. Your own circumstances can change, too. A new medication, new doctor, recent diagnosis or different pharmacy could make a plan that worked well this year less attractive next year. 

Start With Your Current Coverage

Before comparing alternatives, pull together the information you already have.

Look for the Annual Notice of Change from your current plan. Pay particular attention to changes taking effect in 2027.

Then make a current list of your prescription medications, including dosage and frequency. Medicare's Plan Compare tool can use your medications and preferred pharmacies to estimate costs under different plans.

It is also helpful to make a list of the doctors, specialists, hospitals and pharmacies you prefer to use.

That gives you something concrete to compare instead of trying to make a decision based on advertisements or a plan's extra benefits alone.

Questions Worth Asking

When reviewing your current plan or considering another one, look beyond the monthly premium.

Ask:

• Are my doctors and specialists still in the plan's network?
• Are my prescriptions still covered?
• Has the cost of any medication changed?
• Is my preferred pharmacy still a good choice under this plan?
• What are the deductible, copayments and other out-of-pocket costs?
• Are there restrictions or prior-authorization requirements that matter to me?
• If I travel or spend part of the year outside East Tennessee, how will I receive care?
• Are the additional benefits being advertised services I will actually use?
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Medicare specifically recommends checking prescriptions, provider networks, pharmacies, premiums, deductibles and estimated annual costs when comparing plans. 

A plan advertising a low or even zero additional premium is not automatically the least expensive choice. What matters is how the entire plan works with your individual health needs.

Know What You Can Change

During Medicare Open Enrollment, beneficiaries can make several changes to their coverage.

Depending on their circumstances, they can switch Medicare Advantage plans, move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, or join, drop or change Medicare prescription drug coverage. Changes made during this enrollment period generally begin January 1. 

There is an important caution for anyone who has coverage through an employer or union. Medicare advises talking with the benefits administrator before making changes because enrolling in other coverage could affect existing health or prescription benefits. 

Free, Unbiased Help Is Available in Tennessee

You do not have to sort through all the choices alone, and assistance does not have to come from someone selling insurance.

The Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or TN SHIP, provides free and objective Medicare counseling to Medicare-eligible Tennesseans, their families and caregivers. The program is federally funded and is not connected with an insurance company or health plan. 

East Tennessee residents can contact TN SHIP at 1-877-801-0044. The state also maintains Medicare counseling sites where certified SHIP counselors can help answer questions. Tennessee Government

Beneficiaries can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or use Medicare's official Plan Compare tool to review plans available in their ZIP code. Medicare

Compare 2027 Medicare plans

Find free Tennessee SHIP counseling

Take Your Time Before You Decide

Open Enrollment lasts until December 7, so there is no need to make a decision based on the first advertisement, phone call or mailing that arrives.

Use the days before October 15 to organize your medications, providers, preferred pharmacies and current coverage information. Then compare the choices based on the care and costs that actually matter to you.

And if your current coverage still meets your needs after you've reviewed it, keeping it may require no action at all. Medicare says existing coverage generally continues automatically when a beneficiary chooses not to make a change. 

A careful review now can make October 15 feel much less like the beginning of a confusing enrollment season and much more like what it should be: an opportunity to make sure your Medicare coverage still works for you.