A few weeks ago, I received the thick Medicare & You government handbook that is mailed to every Medicare household each fall before open enrollment (Oct. 15–Dec. 7).
Seeing it immediately made me feel anxious and overwhelmed.
The handbook is a comprehensive guide to Medicare and covers many topics like the basics of coverage, changes for the upcoming year, plan comparison tools, and prescription drug coverage. And while it is meant to be the go-to reference for beneficiaries, many people find it overwhelming because of the amount of detail.
I never was a manual reader anyway. I have no interest in reading the booklets that come with a new oven, washer, dryer, or printer, although I know I should. I just don’t have the patience. I also dislike reading long contracts, but I do that just to protect myself.
I feel that way about the Medicare handbook, I must read it just to protect myself.
But it does feel overwhelming – there are too many choices with different premiums, formularies, and rules. It feels like information overload. But I also know that the stakes are high in choosing the right healthcare plan.
For example, two years ago, the least expensive Part D drug plan for me was $.40 per month. I only take one generic prescription, with a $5 co-pay for a 90-day supply, my annual premium was $4.80, a small price to pay for $20 worth of meds.
This year that same plan crept up to $40/month (a 9,900% increase), so my total premium is $480 for $20 worth of meds.
This past year before re-enrolling, I checked to see if I could skip signing up for a Part D plan and save myself $480, but the cost of the generic medicine without insurance was prohibitively expensive. Additionally, I would leave myself open to potential high costs if I needed to go on another medication during the year.
As you can see, sticking with the same plan can be risky because drug formularies change, premiums and deductibles creep up, and in the case of Part A and B, networks can drop doctors or hospitals.
I am a big advocate of seeking unbiased guidance. With the Medicare Open Enrollment period soon to begin, the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) – part of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging – will again be providing countywide resources and help.
Between October 6-14, HICAP counselors will host presentations on “2026 Medicare Changes” at 13 different sites around the county. You are encouraged to sign up online at VCAAA.VenturaCounty.gov/HICAP to register and attend these presentations. You may also call 805-477-7300 or 800-434-0222, or email HICAP@VenturaCounty.gov for more information.
Two local presentations will be held Thursday, October 9 at the Simi Valley Senior Center from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Monday, October 13 at the Goebel Adult Community Center from12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
From October 15 to December 5, HICAP counselors will host 36 One-Stop events at 14 different sites around the county to provide individual counseling sessions. Those interested in a one-on-one appointment are urged to sign up as soon as possible, as they will fill up quickly. The online form can be found at VCAAA.VenturaCounty.gov/HICAP.
Both the presentations and the individual appointments are free. For more information, call the VCAAA at 805-477-7300. And please note, if you live in Los Angeles County cities of Westlake Village or Agoura Hills, you are welcome to attend the presentations and sign up for One-Stop appointments hosted in Ventura County.
If you choose to go it alone, here are some helpful tips:
With regards to the Medicare & You handbook, don’t try to read everything at once. Break it down into steps and focus on what changed in your current plan versus last year.
Enlist a helper - maybe a trusted family member or friend - to help you compare options.
Lastly, give yourself time. Do not wait until the last week to begin comparisons.
Open enrollment may feel overwhelming, but with patience, support, and the right resources, you can move from confusion to clarity – and that peace of mind is worth it.