Iowa Senior Health Insurance Information Program says it’s important to review Medicare coverage during open enrollment

DES MOINES — New data show that nearly half of Americans have made a health care decision they regret because they didn’t have the information they needed to make an informed choice. Health officials are reminding Iowans to review their existing Medicare plans and prepare for changes in 2026.

The Edelman 2025 Trust Barometer shows that 43% of people regret a health care choice they’ve made after realizing they didn’t have accurate information.

The Iowa Senior Health Insurance Information Program’s Kristin Griffith says it’s important to review your coverage because insurance companies have renegotiated their contracts with Medicare. “And that new contract is going to have changes, usually in everything from what prescriptions are covered, you know, what the premiums are. If it’s a Medicare advantage plan there are probably going to be changes to networks and providers and who is covered.”

UnitedHealthcare’s Doctor Rhonda Randall says it’s important to understand the different options available through Medicare when choosing a plan. “The difference between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Differences between Medicare parts A, B, C and D, for example.”

The Center for Medicare Services says beneficiaries could collectively save as much as $5.1 billion in 2026, with out-of-pocket drug costs now capped at $2100 under Medicare Part D plans.

The Medicare open enrollment period began on October 15th and runs until December 7th.