Every fall, Medicare beneficiaries have a limited window of time to review and make changes to their coverage. This period—known as Medicare Annual Enrollment (AEP)—is open now through December 7th. It’s the one time of year when you can make sure your plan still fits your healthcare needs, budget, and lifestyle for the coming year.

As the December 7th deadline approaches, now is the time to take a close look at your options—and make informed decisions that could save you money and ensure better coverage for 2026.

Why Reviewing Your Medicare Plan Matters

Even if you’re happy with your current plan, it’s worth reviewing your coverage every year. Insurance companies frequently make changes to their premiums, copays, drug formularies, and provider networks. That means a plan that worked well for you this year might not fit as well next year.

You might also have new prescriptions, a recent diagnosis, or changes in how often you see your doctor—all factors that can impact which plan gives you the best value.

By taking the time now to review your plan, you can avoid unexpected costs and ensure your coverage continues to meet your health needs.

Your Options During Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period

During AEP, you can:

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or vice versa
• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
• Join, drop, or switch a Part D Prescription Drug Plan

Each option comes with its own set of benefits and considerations. For example, some Medicare Advantage plans offer extra coverage—like vision, dental, or hearing benefits—that Original Medicare doesn’t include. Others may lower your out-of-pocket costs or provide better access to your preferred doctors and pharmacies.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

A common mistake people make is waiting until the last minute to make changes—or assuming their current plan will automatically stay the same.

By starting early, you have time to compare plans, review the details, and ask questions. Rushing decisions or missing the deadline could leave you locked into a plan that doesn’t serve your best interests for another year.

How Hilgerman Insurance Solutions Can Help

At Hilgerman Insurance Solutions, we know how confusing Medicare can be. With so many plan options and fine print, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why Deborah Hilgerman, a trusted local Medicare specialist, takes the time to understand your unique healthcare needs and help you compare your choices—side by side, in plain language.

We’ll help you:

• Understand how your prescriptions and doctors fit within each plan
• Compare plan benefits, premiums, and out-of-pocket costs
• Identify potential savings opportunities
• Enroll in a plan that provides the best coverage for your needs in 2026

Our goal is to make Medicare simple, personal, and stress-free—so you can make confident decisions before the December 7th deadline.

Don’t Wait—Schedule Your Medicare Review Today

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period only comes once a year, and the deadline to make changes is December 7th. If you haven’t reviewed your plan yet, now’s the time.

Contact Hilgerman Insurance Solutions today to schedule your free Medicare review. Let’s make sure your plan fits your needs, your health, and your budget for the year ahead.

Hilgerman Insurance Solutions
www.HilgermanIns.com

Every year, Medicare gives you a limited window of opportunity to review your coverage and make adjustments. That time is Medicare Open Enrollment, which runs from October 15th through December 7th. For residents of Ventura County, this is the perfect chance to ensure your health insurance truly meets your needs. At Hilgerman Insurance Solutions, we specialize in helping individuals and families navigate their options so they can make informed decisions with confidence.

Why Open Enrollment Matters

Your health needs change over time—and so do Medicare plans. Open Enrollment is the one time each year when you can:

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan (or vice versa).
• Change your Medicare Advantage Plan.
• Enroll in or change a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

Failing to review your plan could mean higher out-of-pocket costs, gaps in coverage, or missing out on benefits better suited to your lifestyle. With so many options available, it pays to work with a trusted Medicare insurance broker in Ventura County who understands the details.

What’s New for 2026 Medicare Plans

The upcoming year brings some changes to Medicare benefits and coverage. While updates may seem small, they can impact your monthly premiums, prescription drug costs, or available providers. At Hilgerman Insurance Solutions, we stay up-to-date on Medicare plan changes for 2026 so you don’t have to. Our team reviews the fine print and helps you compare plans side by side, ensuring you choose the right fit for your health and your budget.

Personalized Help in Ventura County

Choosing the right plan can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. As a local Medicare insurance broker in Ventura County, Deborah Hilgerman provides one-on-one support to help you understand your options. Unlike calling a national hotline, working with Hilgerman Insurance Solutions means you’ll receive personal guidance from someone who knows the local providers, pharmacies, and coverage details that matter most to you.

Don’t Miss the Deadline

The Open Enrollment period ends on December 7th, and any changes you make will take effect on January 1, 2026. Missing this window means you’ll likely be locked into your current plan for another year. Don’t take that risk—now is the time to act.

Get Expert Guidance Today

At Hilgerman Insurance Solutions, our goal is to simplify Medicare and make sure you have the coverage you need. Whether you’re reviewing your current plan, comparing new options, or enrolling for the first time, we’re here to help.

📞 Contact Hilgerman Insurance Solutions today to schedule your Medicare open enrollment consultation in Ventura County and secure the right coverage for 2026.

Hilgerman Insurance Solutions
www.HilgermanIns.com

Every fall, Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan members receive a document called the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). This important letter details updates to your plan that will take effect in the coming year. If you’re currently enrolled in Medicare, reviewing your ANOC carefully is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your coverage still meets your needs.

At Hilgerman Insurance Solutions in Camarillo, we know that Medicare paperwork can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to help you understand what to look for in your 2025 ANOC—and how changes might affect your coverage into 2026.

How to Read the Annual Notice of Change

Your ANOC is mailed by the end of September each year. Inside, you’ll find a side-by-side comparison of your current year’s benefits with what’s coming in the following year. As you read, pay close attention to:

• Premiums and Monthly Costs – Check if your monthly premium, deductible, or maximum out-of-pocket costs are going up or down. Even small increases can add up over the year.
• Prescription Drug Coverage – Review your medication list to see if drugs have moved to a higher tier, if copays are changing, or if new prior authorization requirements are being added.
• Provider Network – Make sure your doctors, specialists, and preferred hospitals will still be covered under your plan.
• Extra Benefits – Look at changes to vision, dental, hearing, and wellness perks. Some may be added, removed, or adjusted.

Taking the time to compare these sections helps you avoid surprises when the new year begins.

What’s Changing for 2026

Looking beyond 2025, there are upcoming Medicare changes in 2026 that current plan holders should keep in mind:

• Drug Cost Reductions – The Medicare Part D $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs goes into full effect in 2026, a major relief for seniors with high medication expenses.
• Expanded Preventive Benefits – Plans are expected to broaden wellness services and chronic care management programs.
• Network Adjustments – As insurers adapt to new rules, some provider networks may narrow or restructure, making it even more important to double-check your doctors remain in-network.

These changes make it especially important to evaluate your plan now so you’re positioned well for 2026.

When to Consider Switching Plans

Not every change means you need to switch, but certain red flags in your ANOC should trigger a review of other options:

• Your premiums or copays are increasing beyond your budget.
• A medication you take regularly is moving to a more expensive tier or dropping from the formulary.
• Your preferred doctor or hospital is no longer in the network.
• Benefits you rely on (like dental or vision) are being reduced or eliminated.
• You find that another plan in your area offers the same coverage at a better cost.

Even if your ANOC looks fine, it’s always wise to compare your plan to others available in Ventura County during Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7).

Get a No Obligation ANOC Review with Hilgerman Insurance Solutions

Understanding your Medicare Annual Notice of Change can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to go through it alone. At Hilgerman Insurance Solutions, Deborah Hilgerman offers a No Obligation ANOC review consultation to help you interpret your 2025 notice, identify how upcoming 2026 changes may impact you, and explore whether switching plans could save you money or improve your coverage.

Call Deborah today to schedule your No Obligation consultation and make sure your Medicare plan works for you—not against you.

Hilgerman Insurance Solutions
www.HilgermanIns.com

For many seniors, summer means travel—whether it’s a cross-country road trip, visiting family in another state, or jetting off to a dream vacation abroad. But before you pack your bags, it’s important to understand how your Medicare coverage works when you’re away from home.

Medicare Coverage Across State Lines

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) travels with you across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Whether you’re at home in Arizona or visiting grandkids in Florida, you can still see any provider who accepts Medicare. However, keep in mind that some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may have network restrictions. Be sure to check with your plan to see how coverage works outside your local area.

Going Abroad? Here’s What You Should Know

Medicare generally does not cover health care outside the United States. There are exceptions, such as when you’re on a cruise or if a foreign hospital is closer than a U.S. facility during an emergency. To bridge this gap, many travelers opt for a Medigap plan—specifically those that offer foreign travel emergency coverage (like Plan G or Plan N).

Emergency Care On the Go

Emergencies happen—even on vacation. Original Medicare covers emergency room visits anywhere in the U.S., and some Medigap policies or Medicare Advantage plans offer additional support for urgent care and ambulance services. Be sure to carry your Medicare card and a list of your medications while traveling.

Before You Hit the Road…

Planning ahead can give you peace of mind while you’re on the move. For personalized advice and help reviewing your Medicare coverage, contact Deborah Hilgerman at Hilgerman Insurance Solutions. She’ll help you make sure you’re covered—wherever your summer takes you.

Hilgerman Insurance Solutions
www.HilgermanIns.com