2027 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

Why a Local Broker Matters More Than Ever

Personal and professional guidance will

• make a complicated season clearer
• protect the coverage you depend on
• prevent costly surprises in 2027

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7. During those weeks, beneficiaries face a flood of plan advertisements, phone calls and promises (and frequently, misinformation and lies). 

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At the same time, real plan changes may affect premiums, deductibles, copays, provider networks, covered prescriptions and extra benefits. That combination makes a trusted local broker especially valuable. 

In the last couple of years, Medicare legislation has caused significant disruption in the market for Part D (prescription drug coverage) and Part C (Medicare Advantage). Similarly, fraud is out of control for Original Medicare to the point that Parts A and B are now requiring prior authorizations in some states in 2026, with more to come. And just this year, the state of Indiana passed the “Birthday Rule,” a new law around Medigap (or supplements like Plan F, G, or N). This law results in a positive outcome for some beneficiaries, but ultimately higher premiums for everyone.

You need a trusted, knowledgeable source to keep up on all these changes and to help you navigate the important decisions related to health insurance coverage.

At Guidepost Insurance, we do more than compare premiums. We learn about your circumstances and will answer questions that matter to you, such as. 

• Which plan covers your medications at the best price?
• Don’t assume that because they were covered this year that will be in 2027.
• Are there any provider network changes in 2027?
• Insurance and providers can “break up” or “get back together.”
• Which coverage best limits your financial exposure?
• If you had a “bad” year, would you be comfortable with the financial risk?
• Why do my plan benefits change each year?
• Why did my insurance company terminate my (or my friend’s) plan?

For many people, staying with their current plan will still be the best choice—but that decision should follow a careful review, not a sales pitch. If you cannot identify a few clear reasons “why” you are changing, that raises a red flag. 

Accessible and effective post–enrollment support is also only available with a local brokerage like us. When you work with a local team, you know whom to call before, during and after enrollment. You can ask questions, bring in your Annual Notice of Changes, bill, or any other mail, and get an explanation in plain language. If an issue arises later, you are not starting over with an anonymous call center, and we will leverage our internal insurance company relationships. 

A local relationship also adds a layer of protection. Unsolicited callers, social-media ads, and mailers are designed to generate fear, a sense of missing out, and urgency, not to serve your best interest. Never give your Medicare or Social Security number to an unexpected caller. Send unknown calls to voicemail, avoid unfamiliar links and contact your broker before making any plan changes. Often the call centers will portray themselves as your insurance company when they are most definitely not. 

Best of all, our services are no-cost, and the plans and benefits we offer are the same as what is available via 800 or online. Wise people have wise counselors. Whether you are well-versed in Medicare or want to “leave it to the pros,” having a trusted advisor is always to your benefit. If you are not currently working with anyone locally and would like to give us a try, you may get started by filling out the information requested at our new client portal by scanning the QR code here. Be sure to call or text 574-544-2228 to schedule an appointment once you are done. 

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IMPORTANT REMINDER 

Carefully review your Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC)

Your insurer should send your ANOC by September 30. It will outline any changes from 2026 to 2027. Every year we invite our clients to attend our ANOC meetings where we discuss the significant Medicare, Part D, and Part C changes. 

You do not need to be a client to attend, so please feel free to RSVP to any meeting listed below. Every carrier will be discussed at every meeting, and light refreshments will be provided. If you are not a group meeting kind of person, we’ll be glad to meet one-on-one. 

RSVP by Calling or texting 574-544-2228, or visit guidepostinsurance.eventbrite.com. Invite a friend who may have questions!