Open Enrollment options start in October every year. That’s right around the corner now! What can you do to prepare? Let’s get right into the details by reviewing the steps you can take to prepare for Open Enrollment for Medicare or Individual plans. Find the section below that applies to you.
Pre-enrollment steps for MEDICARE plans:
- Consider whether you are eligible for Medicaid, Medicare Savings or LIS and apply. You can read more about that on our previous article on Cost Assistance for information about income limits, etc.
- Make a list of your current practitioners including doctors, specialists, chiropractors, dentists, eye care specialists, and so forth.
- Make a list of your current prescriptions. You can usually find your recently filled prescriptions on the Medicare.gov website. You can share your prescription list through that website with us. You can also find your prescription list on My Chart.
- Complete a Scope of Appointment form. This allows us to share specific plan information with you, and your submission prompts us reach out and set an appointment with you. We can schedule an in-person, zoom, or phone appointment, and/or include you in a group meeting.
- Trust us as your broker. We spend many hours and days every year learning about Medicare administrative changes, specific plan changes, market updates, and carrier policy updates. We compile printed and digital materials to summarize and simplify the information. Let us do the bulk of the work for you! That’s what we are here for. As always, you do not pay for our services. That’s the insurance company’s job, not yours. Our job is to help YOU.
- After Oct 15, we can help you select a plan and complete an enrollment for the coming year, with your new or renewing plan set to start on Jan 1. The Medicare Enrollment deadline is Dec. 7
Pre-enrollment steps for INDIVIDUAL or FAMILY plans:
- Start by updating your password on YourHealthIdaho.org. Your Health Idaho (YHI) launched a new website and enrollment tool on September 1st, 2026. Everyone needs to reset their password and confirm that their account transferred to the new system.
- Starting Oct 1st, you can preview plans and browse options anonymously. You cannot make any plan selections yet for next year, it is just for informational purposes.
- You should receive a plan renewal letter from your current insurance company. Review this information. Plans change every year. If you are happy with the plan and it is renewing, you don’t have to change plans. However, you DO need to update your YHI application even if you don’t change plans.
- After Oct 15th, you can update and resubmit your annual YHI application. It might trigger a Medicaid review if you appear eligible. We can assist with this application if you have questions when you are completing it, or we can do it for you over the phone if you set up an appointment with us. The YHI application is not a specific plan enrollment, it is the way your household is evaluated for a tax credit and your eligibility to enroll in a plan is confirmed. For more information about tax credits, review our Tax Credit article.
- Once your household eligibility and tax credit is determined, you can select and enroll in a health plan for the coming year. We can help you compare plans and simplify the process significantly. That’s what we are here for! The YHI Enrollment deadline is Dec. 15.
- Trust us as your broker. We spend time every year learning about state rules, administrative changes, specific plan changes, market updates, and carrier policy updates. As always, you do not pay for our services. That’s the insurance company’s job, not yours.
Please know that our goal and our purpose is to serve YOU. We do not serve Medicare, or Your Health Idaho, or any particular insurance company. WE work for YOU, and we strive to simplify the process of comparing, selecting and enrolling in a plan to make it as pleasant and efficient for you as possible. If this list helps you prepare, great! If you prefer, just start by picking up the phone and giving us a call at 208-466-6677. We will put you right on track to start the best health plan to fit your needs.