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This brief provides background on Title VI, summarizes the key changes in the 2026 final rule, and discusses the potential implications for racial and ethnic health disparities.
The Medicare Open Enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. During this period, you can make many changes to your Medicare coverage, depending on the coverage you already have. You can change from traditional Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan (or vice versa). If you prefer Medicare Advantage, you can choose among the Medicare Advantage plans offered in your area during this period. If you are in traditional Medicare, and want…
You can compare your Medicare coverage options using an online searchable tool on the Medicare.gov website that allows users to compare Medicare coverage options, including Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Part D plans, and Medigap supplemental policies. You can get information about the coverage, costs, and benefits of different plan options in your area using the Medicare coverage comparison website. You can also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Part D plan on…
No. Although your husband now qualifies for Medicare, you will not qualify for Medicare until you turn age 65. If you do not have health insurance now, you can consider signing up for health insurance coverage through a Marketplace plan. If your household income is at least 100% of the federal poverty level (for buying Marketplace coverage in 2027, that means an income of $21,640 for a couple), you may qualify for premium tax credits…
No, Medicare Advantage plans charge the same premiums to all enrollees; they are not permitted to vary premiums based on age, smoking history, gender, or pre-existing medical conditions.
If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan and you want to switch to traditional Medicare, you should contact your current plan to cancel your enrollment and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Note there are specific enrollment periods each year to do this. The first period when you can switch from your Medicare Advantage plan to traditional Medicare is during the Medicare Open Enrollment period that runs October 15 to December 7. When you make the switch…
Not necessarily. You will need to contact the company that is offering your plan to find out if or which benefits are available out-of-state. If your plan does not offer out-of-state coverage, there may be another plan offered by the same firm that does, or a similar plan offered by another firm in your area. If you decide that you would like to switch to a different plan, however, note that you will need to…
If you switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to traditional Medicare and you want drug coverage, you can sign up during the Medicare Open Enrollment period for a stand-alone prescription drug plan in your area. Your new coverage will take effect on January 1. You can also switch from Medicare Advantage to traditional Medicare during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period between January 1 and March 31, when you can sign up for a stand-alone…
If you enroll in a plan during the Medicare Open Enrollment period that runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, your coverage takes effect on January 1 of the following year.
You can, but generally only under special circumstances that qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). These circumstances include (but are not limited to) moving to a new location that is outside of your current plan’s service area or where additional plan options are available, moving back into the U.S. after living abroad, moving into or out of a facility, termination of Medicaid eligibility, if Medicare terminates your current Medicare Advantage plan, or if…
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