Medicare open enrollment season is here, and this year’s changes are bigger than usual. On “Live In The D,” Mike Gatteri of HealthMarkets Insurance Agency said seniors should take a close look at their coverage as costs rise and some plans exit the market.
“The big difference we’re seeing this year is that the government has done some shifting, and they’re putting more costs on the shoulders of the insurance company,” Gatteri said. “Of course, the insurance companies are passing those costs along to the end user.”
What to expect:
- Fewer $0-premium Medicare Advantage plans
- Popular plans seeing roughly $30 to $40 monthly increases
- Extras like dental, vision, over-the-counter allowances and fitness benefits trimmed back - Medicare supplement premiums potentially rising 20% to 30% in 2026
It’s not all bad news. If a plan is leaving the market, that can open a special chance to move to a Medicare supplement without medical underwriting, Gatteri said. New plans are also arriving, but shoppers need to compare carefully.
Open enrollment runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, and the deadline is firm for making changes that take effect next year.
Gatteri said his team compares options from more than 200 insurers and tailors recommendations to each person’s doctors and prescriptions. “We’re going to look up your doctors. We’re going to look up your meds. We’re going to find what plan is appropriate for you for this year,” he said. “And most importantly, we’re going to do that at no cost.”
For more information or a no-cost consultation, visit healthmarketsmichigan.com or call 734-252-0064.
To watch the segment, click on the video above.