Your Fall Open Enrollment Checklist

Every fall, two enrollment windows open up, and a lot of our clients fall into one of them. A little preparation now makes the whole season feel calmer. Here is how we suggest getting ready.

Mark your calendar

• Medicare Annual Enrollment: October 15 to December 7, 2026. Changes take effect January 1, 2027.

• Marketplace (ACA) health insurance: November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Coverage starts January 1 if you choose by December 15, or February 1 if you choose after.

A quick note on the Marketplace dates: the final deadline is January 15, but December 15 is the date to remember if you want your coverage to start right on New Year's Day.

Gather these before we talk

• Your current insurance cards, front and back

• A list of your doctors and specialists

• The name of the pharmacy you use

• Your prescriptions with dosages (bringing the bottles works great too)

• Any letters your plan sent this fall, especially anything titled "Annual Notice of Change" or a renewal notice

• For Marketplace coverage, your best estimate of next year's household income

Keep everything in one folder or envelope. When we sit down together, having it all in one spot saves you time and an extra trip.

Think back on your year

Before your review, take a few minutes with a cup of coffee and jot down anything that changed. Here are some prompts to get you started:

• Have you seen any new doctors or specialists?

• Were there new prescriptions, or medications you stopped taking?

• Is anyone in your household new to your plan, or coming off it?

• Do you spend part of the year in another state?

• Has your income changed, or do you expect it to next year?

There are no wrong answers here. These notes simply help us understand what matters most to you right now.

Open the mail (we know, we know)

Plans can change a little from year to year. The letters you receive in late September and October explain what is changing for next year. You do not have to decode them on your own. Set them aside in your folder and bring them along, and we will read through them with you.

Call early in the season

Our calendar fills up quickly as the deadlines get closer. Reaching out in October or early November gives us plenty of time to look at everything without rushing. If your coverage is working well and nothing has changed, a quick check-in is often all you need. Either way, you will head into the new year knowing where you stand.

Ready to get on the calendar? Call or text Maryellen at (727) 647-4448, or reach the office at (941) 999-1350. We are happy to help you sort through it all.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Secure Insurance Agency LLC is a licensed insurance agency, NPN 17217331. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.