Medicare Open Enrollment

 

When’s the Medicare Open Enrollment Period?

Every year, Medicare’s open enrollment period is October 15 - December 7.

What’s the Medicare Open Enrollment Period?

Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year—things like cost, coverage, and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks. October 15 to December 7 is when all people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet their needs.

How do people know if they need to change plans?

People in a Medicare health or prescription drug plan should always review the materials their plans send them, like the “Evidence of Coverage” (EOC) and “Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC). If their plans are changing, they should make sure their plans will still meet their needs for the following year. If they’re satisfied that their current plans will meet their needs for next year and it’s still being offered, they don’t need to do anything.

When can people get information about next year’s Medicare plans?

Information for next year’s plans will be available beginning in October.

 

 

 

 

Do you review? Open Enrollment Information

 

Find a Local Office

 

Please call 1-800-234-7119 to schedule an appointment.

 

Nebraska SHIP & SMP - Lincoln
1526 K Street, Suite 201
Lincoln, NE 68508

402-471-2841

 

Scottsbluff SHIP & SMP Office
1930 E 20th Place, Suite 200 B
Scottsbluff, NE 69361

308-765-5546

By Appointment Only

 

Northeast NE Area Agency on Aging
110 N. 37th Street, Unit 101
Norfolk, NE 68701

402-370-3454

 

Grand Island SHIP & SMP
304 East 3rd
Grand Island, NE 68801

402-471-2841

 

 

 

South Central NE Area Agency on Aging
620 E. 25th Street, Suite 12
Kearney, NE 68847

308-234-1851 

Volunteers Assisting Seniors
900 S 74th Plaza, Suite 403
Omaha, NE 68114

402-444-6617

 

West Central NE Area Agency on Aging
115 North Vine Street
North Platte, NE 69101

308-535-8195

 

Burt, Dodge and Washington Counties
111 North 13th Street
Tekamah, NE 68061

402-380-9554 - During Open Enrollment
By Appointment Only

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have any questions concerning the SHIP/SMP program, you may e-mail them to: DOI.SHIP@nebraska.gov.

Nebraska SHIP & SMP

Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15. 

Have questions about your Medicare options?  We can help. 

Click on the Medicare Classes and Events button to view where our enrollment events will be hosted. 

Call us at 1.800.234.7119 to make your appointment. 

 

Nebraska SHIP, State Health Insurance Assistance Program, empowers, educates, and assists Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers through objective outreach, counseling, and training, to make informed health insurance decisions that optimize access to care and benefits. 

Nebraska SMP, Senior Medicare Patrol, empowers and assists Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education. 

The federal government, through the Administration on Community Living (ACL), funds a SHIP and SMP in every state. The Nebraska SHIP & SMP is a division of the Nebraska Department of Insurance. SHIP & SMP does not sell insurance, nor does it endorse any insurance company, product, or agent. 

Nebraska SHIP & SMP has a statewide network of certified counselors and partner organizations. Our counselors receive extensive training on Medicare and are available to meet for one-on-one counseling, to help with problem solving, provide support during decision making, and assist with identifying potential Medicare fraud, error, or abuse. SHIP & SMP counselors will not recommend policies, companies, or insurance agents, but will provide free, confidential, and unbiased assistance.

The Nebraska SHIP & SMP offers a toll-free hotline that any person eligible for Medicare, relatives, friends, or providers can call for answers to insurance questions, to report potential fraud or abuse, or to arrange a meeting with a SHIP & SMP counselor.

If you would like to speak to your local Nebraska SHIP & SMP office, call our hotline at 1.800.234.7119.   

 

Do you compare? Click on the links below to review 2026 plan options in Nebraska.

2026 Part D, Prescription Drug Plans, in Nebraska

2026 Medicare Advantage Plans in Nebraska

Nebraska - SNP-MA Guide - 2026

 

Nebraska SHIP & SMP has a podcast! New episodes will be released on the first Wednesday of each month.

What's Up With Medicare
  
Link to Podcast House Media
Link to iTunes 
Link to Spotify 

   

                                                                                                                                                         

 


 

 

 

 

Volunteers are crucial to the success of Nebraska SHIP & SMP. SHIP & SMP volunteers gain tremendous satisfaction in knowing that they've made a difference for a senior citizen or someone with a disability. Volunteering is rewarding and volunteers can choose their level of involvement! New volunteers complete an initial training and have a goal of helping a minimum of 24 people with Medicare each year. Additionally, nursing and social work professionals can earn continuing education hours from training hours.

Volunteer Brochure

 

Event Calendar, classes, events and presentations

SMP Message: Never provider your Medicare number to someone who calls you.

Medicare.gov website

 

Medicare.gov
The Official U.S. Government Site for Medicare. Compare and enroll in drug and health plans, information regarding Medicare.

Social Security Administration
The Official Website of the U.S. Social Security Administration. Apply for Medicare Parts A and B. Also apply for extra help for prescription drugs.

Medicare Account Login
Medicare's free, secure online service for accessing personalized information regarding Medicare benefits and services.

WPS Medicare
WPS is the CMS Medicare Contractor which provides Medicare Part A and B benefits. Medicare beneficiaries will receive information from this organization when they use Medicare services.

ACCESSNebraska
Part of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services; individuals can: select a self-screening application to determine the programs for which they may be eligible (including Medicaid, TANF, ADC, and Energy Assistance), complete an online application for programs for which they are eligible, and print a paper application that can be completed and mailed.

Nebraska's Area Agencies on Aging
Nebraska has several Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). The Aging Network in Nebraska is made up of individuals and organizations in the public and private sectors. A comprehensive list of services and resources is available.

Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
The goal of the Nebraska SMP is to help individuals identify and report possible Medicare or Medicaid fraud, error or waste and to provide tips on how consumers can protect themselves from healthcare scams.

Livanta

Livanta is a Beneficiary and Family-Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO). BFCC-QIOs are responsible for medical case review, which supports the rights of people on Medicare.


A Shopper's Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance
A LTC guide published by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

NOTICE – Signature of Officers on Insurance Policies, Effect of Change in Officers

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

Insurance policy forms filed with the Department typically include signatures of insurance company officers. In the past, a change of insurance company officers could require the insurer to submit new policy forms with the new officers’ names and signatures. With the new officers’ signatures in the policy form, all new contracts would contain correct officers on the date of contract inception.

NEWS RELEASE - Director of Insurance Offers Tips for Individuals Affected By Weather-Related Damages

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

Nebraska’s recent weather outbreaks have produced strong winds, large hail, and heavy rains, leaving countless Nebraskans with damage to their homes and property.

“Knowing what to do after severe weather hits can help keep your family and property safe,” stated Director of Insurance, Bruce Ramge. In addition to his staff being available to assist with answering insurance-related questions, Director Ramge also offers the following tips for those affected by weather-related damages: