Medicare's annual open enrollment begins Thursday, Oct. 15, and runs through Dec. 7, and Texans in Medicare Advantage plans have more reason than most to check their coverage.
Texas has more Medicare Advantage plans being discontinued for 2027 than any other state, nine of the 36 the Austin American-Statesman counted in a guide published Thursday. People in those plans should have received a letter, the paper reported, and they need to pick new coverage.
That situation also opens a door. Someone whose Advantage plan is ending can choose another Advantage plan, or move to Original Medicare and buy a Medigap supplemental policy without penalties and without having to pass a health screening, according to the Statesman.
What happens if you do nothing
Members whose plan continues into 2027 are re-enrolled in it automatically. If it is not and you make no choice, the paper reported, you would be left with only Part A hospital coverage, with nothing for prescriptions or doctor visits.
People who change plans and regret it can move from one Advantage plan to another, or back to Original Medicare, between Jan. 1 and March 31.
Costs expected for 2027
The Statesman listed these projected figures:
- The Part B premium, usually taken out of Social Security checks, is projected to rise to $209.50 a month from $202.90, and the Part B deductible to $292 from $283.
- The Part A hospital deductible was estimated by Medicare's trustees in June at $1,788, up from $1,736.
- Out-of-pocket spending on Part D prescription coverage will be capped at $2,400, up from $2,100, and drug deductibles can reach $700, up from $615.
- Medicare Advantage plans can charge members up to $9,850 a year in network, and $14,800 when in- and out-of-network costs are combined, about 6.5% more than this year.
Even people whose plans are continuing should confirm that their doctors are still in network and that their prescriptions are still covered, and at what price, a health policy analyst with medicareresources.org told the paper.
Help and scam warnings
Texans with limited income may qualify for state programs that help with Medicare costs. The Texas Medicare Help Line, 800-252-9240, can help with sign-ups, the Statesman reported.
Scammers also tend to target the enrollment season. The Oklahoma Insurance Department, in a report by KXII, advised letting unfamiliar callers go to voicemail and hanging up on anyone who asks for a Medicare or Social Security number. Anyone whose Medicare number is stolen can report it at 1-800-MEDICARE and ask for a new one.
Sources
statesman.com
KXII
