Medicare broker Scott Bowling of Round Rock, Texas, walks through the four things to check during Annual Enrollment 2027, which runs October 15 to December 7.
If your Medicare plan renews on January 1 and you haven't looked at what's changing, this is for you.
I'm Scott Bowling with Trusted SR Solutions in Round Rock, Texas. I'm an independent Medicare broker, which means I work with multiple carriers, not one. I work with clients here in Round Rock, Georgetown, Sun City Texas and Austin, and by phone across every state where I'm licensed. That's Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and Houston here in Texas. Phoenix, Tucson and Sun City in Arizona. Tampa, Orlando and The Villages in Florida. Charleston, Greenville and Hilton Head in South Carolina. Charlotte and Raleigh in North Carolina. Nashville and Knoxville in Tennessee. Richmond and Virginia Beach in Virginia. Denver and Colorado Springs in Colorado. Columbus and Cincinnati in Ohio. Detroit and Grand Rapids in Michigan. And Louisville and Lexington in Kentucky. And every fall, I have the same conversation with a lot of people.
Annual Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. It's your once-a-year window to change Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage for next year. Whatever you pick takes effect January 1.
Here's why it matters. Plans change every year. Doctors leave networks. Drugs move tiers. Copays go up. And most people don't find out until they're standing at the pharmacy counter in January.
So here are the four things I check with every client.
One. Your doctors. Every doctor and hospital, by name. Are they still in network for 2027?
Two. Your prescriptions. Each one, on next year's drug list. Is it still covered, and what will it cost?
Three. Your total yearly cost. Not just the premium. A zero-dollar premium isn't zero-dollar coverage. Add up the premium, your usual copays, and the out-of-pocket maximum. That's the number to compare plans on.
Four. What's not covered. Original Medicare doesn't cover most routine dental, vision or hearing care. And a hospital stay can still cost you real money on most Medicare Advantage plans. I bring that up first, not last, because coverage like hospital indemnity has to be in place before you need it. After a diagnosis, it's usually too late to get it.
If all four check out, keeping your plan can be the right answer. If they don't, you've got until December 7 to make a change.
If you want help, start with my free 2027 Plan Comparison Worksheet at trustedsrsolutions.com slash 2027 dash review. Or take the Medicare Clarity Score, fifteen quick questions that show your three biggest coverage risk areas, at trustedsrsolutions.com. Or call me directly at 512-844-3983. There's no cost to work with me.
I'm Scott Bowling, Trusted SR Solutions, Round Rock, Texas. No pressure. No jargon. Just clear answers.
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. Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Trusted SR Solutions City: Round Rock Address: Round Rock, TX Website: https://trustedsrsolutions.com Phone: +1 512 844 3983 Email: Scott@TrustedSRSolutions.com