Medicare Fall Period enrollment ends December 7, 2025. We understand how stressful insurance can be. If you are a Medicare or Medicare Advantage patient and you still have questions, you are not alone.
The following resources are available to assist you with any remaining questions you may have:
- Illinois Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
A free statewide health insurance counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers who will assist you in making informed health insurance decisions.
Website: https://ilaging.illinois.gov/ship.html
Phone: (800) 252-8966
Email: [email protected]
- Illinois 2025 Medicare Choices Guide:
https://ilaging.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/aging/ship/documents/medicare-choices.pdf
- U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Website: www.Medicare.gov
Phone: 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227); TTY 877-486-2048
Medicare Plan Finder Website: https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/?year=2026&lang=en
Enrollment Period Explanations: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/joining-a-plan
- Member Services of your current insurer: Utilize the phone number provided on the back of your insurance card.
- Your insurance agent or broker
ADDITIONAL OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD:
Medicare Advantage Patients have an additional Open Enrollment period in which they can make a switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan or revert to Original Medicare:
| Enrollment period: | You can: | Coverage starts: |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (only if you’re already in a Medicare Advantage Plan) January 1-March 31. | Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage.Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare. You'll also be able to join a separate Medicare drug plan. | First of the month after the plan gets your request. |
Table above contains information from https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/joining-a-plan