Benefit specialist available to help during Medicare enrollment period

The annual Medicare open enrollment period begins soon, and those who need to sign up or make changes to their plans are urged to do so.

Open enrollment runs Thursday, Oct. 15, through Monday, Dec. 7. During this time, individuals can disenroll from, change, or enroll in Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plans. Beneficiary plan elections made during the enrollment period are effective beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

Patrick Smothers, elder benefit specialist for Vilas County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), is available to provide helpful guidance and assistance about Medicare-related health insurance coverage.

Medicare annual open enrollment options are as follows:

• Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan from either a Medicare Drug Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan.

To enroll or change Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plans, you may contact the preferred plan’s insurance company directly, call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227), or visit medicare.gov.

To get started, contact Smothers at the Vilas ADRC by calling 715-479-3625.