A Note From Robert
September is here, and that means we’re quickly approaching an important time of year for Medicare.
Over the next several weeks, you’ll begin receiving information about your coverage for 2027. Some of it may look like just another piece of mail—but there are a few things I don’t want you to overlook.
Here are a few updates I think you should know about and, most importantly, what you can do now to prepare for your annual review.
❤️ September Is Life Insurance Awareness Month
When was the last time you reviewed your life insurance?
Changes in your family, finances, mortgage, retirement plans or final-expense needs can all be good reasons to take another look. It’s also a great time to make sure your beneficiaries are still correct.
Reviewing your coverage doesn’t mean you need to change it. Sometimes the best outcome is simply knowing what you already have still meets your needs.
If you’d like to review your current coverage, I’m happy to help.
🎂 Indiana’s Medicare Supplement Birthday Rule
If you’re 65 or older and already have a Medicare Supplement, Indiana’s Birthday Rule may give you an opportunity each year to shop your coverage without medical underwriting.
Your opportunity begins one month before your birthday and continues through one month after your birthday.
The guaranteed change is to the same lettered plan with another insurance company—for example, Plan G to Plan G.
Birthday coming up? Let’s see if your current Medicare Supplement is still a good value.
💊 Have You Heard About the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge?
Medicare introduced the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge on July 1. The program provides certain GLP-1 weight-loss medications for $50 per month to eligible Medicare beneficiaries.
Covered medications currently include certain forms of Foundayo®, Wegovy® and Zepbound®.
Not everyone qualifies. Eligibility depends on several factors, including your Medicare drug coverage, medical conditions and BMI.
If you think the program might apply to you, talk with your doctor about whether you qualify and whether one of these medications is appropriate for you.
Have questions about how this works with your Medicare coverage? I’m happy to help.
📬 YOUR ANOC IS COMING
DON’T THROW IT AWAY!
If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan, watch your mail for your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC).
Your ANOC tells you what’s changing with your current plan for 2027, including changes to costs, coverage and benefits.
KEEP YOUR ANOC!
Even if you like your current plan, don’t assume everything will remain the same next year.
Your plan can change. Your prescriptions can change. Your doctors can change. And your needs can change.
That’s why we do an annual review.
💊 Your Prescription Drug Review Is Especially Important This Year
Medicare prescription drug coverage continues to change, and the plan with the lowest premium isn’t necessarily the plan that will cost you the least.
Your total prescription costs can depend on the medications you take, the plan’s formulary, drug tiers, deductible, copays and which pharmacy you use.
That’s why during your annual review, I want to look at your actual prescriptions and pharmacy, not simply whether your current plan’s premium changed.
📋 HELP ME PREPARE BEFORE WE MEET
As we get closer to Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, I’ll send you a link to update your information before your appointment.
PLEASE COMPLETE IT — EVEN IF YOU THINK I ALREADY HAVE YOUR INFORMATION.
I’ll ask you to confirm your:
✓ Current prescription medications ✓ Doctors and specialists ✓ Preferred pharmacy ✓ Current Medicare coverage ✓ Any important changes since we last reviewed your coverage
Having this information ahead of time allows me to do the homework before we meet.
That means we can spend our appointment reviewing your options and answering your questions—not trying to reconstruct your medication list.
📱 WATCH YOUR EMAIL AND TEXT MESSAGES FOR MY LINK.
Please complete it before your annual review appointment.
📅 Dates to Remember
By September 30 — Watch for your Annual Notice of Change.
October 15 — Medicare Annual Enrollment Period begins.
December 7 — Medicare Annual Enrollment Period ends.
January 1, 2027 — Coverage changes made during AEP generally take effect.
One Last Thought Over the next few months, you’re probably going to hear a lot about Medicare, from television commercials, mail, phone calls and advertisements.
Before you feel pressured to make a change, let’s look at your individual situation first.
My job isn’t simply to help you enroll in a plan. It’s to help you understand your coverage, recognize when something has changed and make informed decisions about what works for you.
I look forward to talking with you during your annual review!
Robert Owen
Independent Medicare Advisor
Easy Benies
Helping you navigate insurance with confidence.