Medicare & Health Insurance
Medicare can be challenging to navigate without assistance.
We are here to help.
Open Enrollment
Here For You
Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7. During this time, current beneficiaries can change, switch, or drop their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the upcoming year, with all changes taking effect on January 1, 2027.
Medicare will be releasing plan details in October. Plans commonly adjust:
- Monthly premiums
- Copays and coinsurance amounts
- Prescription drug coverage and pricing
- Doctor and hospital networks
- Extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, and transportation
We are scheduling individual appointments with our Medicare Specialist starting October 15th. To schedule an appointment, you will need your Medicare card. Please call the HelpLine at 802-885-2669 or email us.
AgeWell, the Area Agency on Aging based in Burlington, will be hosting statewide webinars for Open Enrollment and New to Medicare. If interested, fill out the Contact Us form or email us and leave your name, phone number, email address, and date you would like to attend and we will add you to the list.
Oct 7th 12-1:30 Medicare 101
Nov 9th 12-1:30 Medicare 101
Dec 9th 12-1:30 Medicare 101
Turning 65?
Get Ready to Enroll
The first step in your Medicare journey is to enroll in Medicare. You may enroll in Medicare by contacting Social Security. If you have retired from the Railroad Retirement Board then you will need to contact them for enrollment in Medicare.
The enrollment period when you turn 65 is referred to as the Initial Enrollment period. The initial enrollment period is the 7 months surrounding your 65th birthday. The three months before your birth month, the month of birth month, three months after your birth month. (Except if you are born on the 1st day of the month, then your birth month is the month before).
Take a Free Welcome to Medicare Class
Unsure about Medicare’s eligibility criteria? Worried about out-of-pocket costs? Wondering what Medicare does or doesn’t cover? Confused about who pays first, Medicare or another insurance? Uncertain of yours or your loved one’s rights under Medicare? Our classes, providing unbiased information, are ideal for anyone who will be signing up for Medicare in the near future.
You’ll learn:
Upcoming Virtual Classes
Navigating Medicare
We Can Help
The State Health insurance assistance program (SHIP) is the only program that is funded by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to empower and support Medicare or soon to be Medicare eligible citizens, or their loved ones make Medicare decisions. Our SHIP counselors are available to help you with both Medicare and Medicaid.
There are both federal and state programs that may help with medicare expenses. Each program has different income and asset guidelines. Our SHIP counselors are happy to explain the programs and how they work with your Medicare coverage and costs.
Medicare can be challenging to navigate without assistance. Do you have questions about the difference between Advantage plans and Supplemental plans? Do you have questions about your costs or benefits with your prescription plan?
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free and confidential health insurance counseling.
Get in Touch
Call the HelpLine
Stay Connected