Medicare Enrollment During The Shutdown

Medicare open enrollment runs Oct. 15–Dec. 7 even as the federal government shutdown complicates access to information, and CMS says mission‑critical updates will continue. Still, experts including Philip Moeller urge beneficiaries to hold off finalizing 2026 coverage until the government reopens to avoid relying on delayed or incomplete data; changes made on the last day still take effect Jan. 1. Whether you’re on original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, this year’s shopping requires granular homework: check provider networks, prior‑authorization rules and drug formularies because Advantage plans often advertise “free” supplemental benefits but limit services and access, while traditional Medicare can leave heavy users exposed to high out‑of‑pocket spending — KFF found beneficiaries’ average out‑of‑pocket costs equaled 39% of Social Security income in 2022. Some insurers are expanding; others are leaving markets, which can change plan value overnight. Use Plan Finder and plan websites, but expect hiccups and phone delays. If you care about predictable access to specific doctors or medications, verify coverage now; if you face unclear or missing information, consider waiting until systems are fully staffed or use the Medicare Advantage open enrollment window (Jan. 1–Mar. 31) to fix mistakes. . . . . . . #finance #money #investing #economy #personalfinance #wealth #FIRE #sidehustle