OLYMPIA, WA – Medicare’s Open Enrollment starts Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. This is the annual time when people already enrolled in Medicare can change plans. If you received a notice that your current plan is ending, you must select a new one during this time. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s (OIC) SHIBA program has a new tool to help people prepare.
During open enrollment, you can:
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan and vice versa.
- Join, drop, or switch a Part D prescription drug plan if you’re on Original Medicare.
- Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan available in your county.
“We know Medicare can be hard to navigate,” said Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer. “If you’re feeling overwhelmed, our new Medicare Jumpstart Toolkit can help you get organized. It helps you understand the coverage you have now and your options for 2026 so it’s easier to decide to make a change.”
Order a free Medicare Jumpstart Toolkit online or pick one up at your local library or senior center.
Medicare is not a one-size, fits-all-program. Each person’s needs are different, so before you make a final decision, consider these tips:
- Plan costs and coverage can change every year, so review and keep all letters and notices your current plan sends you. Be sure to get our Medicare Jumpstart Toolkit to help you get organized!
- List all the current prescription drugs you take, the doses and how often. Then, use the Medicare Plan Finder to compare Part D plans.
- Review the 2026 Medicare & You handbook. You should receive it in the mail by mid-October.
- Visit our Medicare Open Enrollment webpage that includes helpful videos.
- Attend an online SHIBA webinar or go to a local SHIBA Medicare Open Enrollment clinic for 1:1 counseling help -- check out our online events calendar.
- If you have questions, visit SHIBA on the web or call us at 800-562-6900 before you sign up.
To schedule a counseling appointment with a SHIBA volunteer, Monday through Friday:
- Find the phone number for the local SHIBA office near you.
- Contact us online.
- Call us at 800-562-6900
and ask to speak with a SHIBA volunteer in your area.