The Medicare Connection - Marcia Bechtel

09/14/2026

Watch for Your Medicare Annual Notice of Change and contact me if you have any question or need guidance. 937-765-4290 or schedule your appointment at: marciaknowsmedicare.com

If you have a Medicare Advantage (MA) and/or you purchase your own Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, you should receive an Annual Notices of Change (ANOC) letter or email. DO NOT IGNORE IT. The ANOC provides a detailed summary of all of the changes to your MA plan or Part D plan in 2027.

If you have not already received your ANOC you should receive it by September 30. If you do not receive it by that date, contact your MA insurance company and/or your Part D plan provider.

The primary purpose of the ANOC is to provide you with a comparison between your current plan's benefits and those for next year. Information in your ANCO may cause you to change your MA healthcare insurance plan and/or Part D coverage during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period scheduled for October 15 - December 7.

If you ignore your ANOC, you may have more expense and undesirable changes in your healthcare and/or prescription drug coverage in 2027. You might learn that your MA plan is being dropped or your preferred doctors or healthcare facilities are no longer part of your plan's network. You may discover that your medications are no longer covered or moved to a more expensive tier.

If the ANCO you receive states that your current MA plan will not be available next year, it should inform you that you have a Guaranteed Issue Right and you are entitled to a Special Enrollment Period. It is a federal law that you are entitled to a GIR and SEP.

A GIR prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or overcharging an applicant for a MA plan or a traditional Medicare supplement (Medigap) policy regardless of pre-existing health conditions. A SEP allows one to shop for the best deal possible for a Medigap or MA plan.

You should guard against your MA plan provider telling you that your MA plan will cease on 12/31/26 but it can enroll you in a different plan it provides. This is known as "cross walking" and often the recommended plan is more expensive and provides fewer benefits.

Contact me at The Medicare Connection. 937-765-4290

07/30/2026

Happy 61st Birthday Medicare 🎂

Medicare turns 61 today! Since being signed into law in 1965, Medicare has served as the cornerstone of health and security for Americans. This year, we celebrate with continued innovations like improving the online Medicare experience, increasing access to GLP-1 medications, and more.

07/13/2026

Opportunity to STOP prior authorization for Traditional Medicare:

Ask your members of Congress to vote for legislation to STOP the six -states trial requiring prior authorization for several traditional Medicare medical procedures.

Although the White House was flooded with Action Alert letters the trial has been going on for more than six months in Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington. CMS has contracts with for-profit companies who use AI to decide whether a doctor's request for a patient's treatment is approved or denied. Requests for approvals are required for a range of procedures, including epidural steroid injections, treatments for spinal stenosis and knee osteoarthritis, and nerve stimulation for conditions such as tremors and Parkinson's disease.

From the beginning there have been news reports that WISeR has been a disaster. Patients, doctors, and other healthcare professionals have said the trial has created confusion, errors, long waiting times, and stress. Some have described the trial as "horrendous" and say people enrolled in traditional Medicare in the pilot states are now getting ensnared in the same red tape as those with Medicare Advantage.

Now there are opportunities in Congress to stop the trial. Senate Joint Resolution 192 (S.J.Res.192) which would end WISeR has been placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar and is awaiting a floor vote. A companion measure, H.J.Res.187, has been introduced in the House. If the resolutions are passed by both chambers and is signed by President Trump, CMS would be required to terminate WISeR..

Please take a few minutes to send a letter to your Senators and Representative. If you have had experience with prior authorization, including delays and/or denials, add your personalized comments to the letter.

Find your elected officials:

https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

06/19/2026

Summer is almost here! ☀️ Beat the heat by using sunscreen, staying hydrated, and wearing a hat with a brim. Find more summer safety tips at https://go.medicare.gov/4uNCckZ.

06/14/2026

06/11/2026

Fraudsters trick people into signing up for hospice by offering “free” services like house-cleaning or medical equipment. Never give out your Medicare Number and never sign anything in exchange for “free” services — it’s a scam!
Always talk to your doctor before signing up for any medical-related service or supplies. If you suspect fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE or go online: https://go.medicare.gov/4x4SPdI.

01/26/2026

❄️🥶

Due to the winter storm, the Medicare Connection office is closed today. Please stay safe, avoid unnecessary travel, and take care during the storm.

Thank you for your understanding. Stay warm! 💙

01/16/2026

We can help !

Confused about Medicare? We’ve got your back.

At The Medicare Connection, we help you find the right coverage to protect what matters most. As an independent agency, we work with top carriers to match you with a plan that fits your unique needs.

Whether you're turning 65 or planning retirement, our senior healthcare brokers are here to guide you every step of the way. Let's simplify Medicare—together.

Your coverage. Your peace of mind.

12/25/2025

🎄😍

12/16/2025

https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/ss/slideshow-what-to-expect-in-your-70s?utm_medium=paid&utm_source=fb&utm_id=120232263739150156&utm_content=120232263741280156&utm_term=120232263739480156&utm_campaign=120232263739150156

Want to live your best life as you age? Here’s what you need to know about your 70s.