Good morning. October starts tomorrow, which means pumpkin everything is officially unavoidable.
In this issue:
Medicare Open Enrollment prep — what to do before October 15
Worth Knowing: the ER vs. urgent care math, your ANOC letter, and Open Enrollment scams
From the Archives: how to compare Medicare plans
Slice of Life: the first fire of the season
Medicare Open Enrollment starts October 15 and runs through December 7. Whatever you choose takes effect January 1, 2026.
Fifteen days isn't a lot of lead time. Here are three things to do right now:
Make a list of your current prescriptions. Name, dose, pharmacy.
Check if your doctors are still in-network for 2026.
Log into medicare.gov/plan-compare and enter your drugs.
Part D's $2,000 out-of-pocket cap remains in place for 2026. Don't just auto-renew.
Need help? SHIP counselors are free. Find one at shiphelp.org or call 1-877-839-2675.
🏥 The urgent care trick that saves $2,000. ER visit: $2,200. Urgent care: $200.
📋 Your Medicare ANOC letter is in the mail. Read pages 1-3.
🛡️ Medicare scams spike during Open Enrollment. Real Medicare never calls to sell a plan. Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Navigating 2024's Medicare Changes — by Benjamin Wells
Benjamin includes a step-by-step action plan for Open Enrollment. If you're about to compare plans for 2026, start here.
There's a moment on the last night of September where you can feel the whole season shift. Someone lights a fire, and the whole street smells like wood smoke. Not a bad trade.
Until next Tuesday,
Nino
P.S. If this was useful, forward it to someone who could use it. I read every reply.
