Medicare Open Enrollment: What to Review and Why Vaccines Matter
Medicare Open Enrollment, October 15 through December 7, is a good time to review your Medicare coverage, prescription drug needs, and recommended vaccines. Here are some important things to review this year.
<Q1> I’ve been taking the same prescription medicine for a long time, but recently the amount I pay at the pharmacy went up. I have Original Medicare with a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan. Can I change my Medicare or prescription drug coverage?
Yes. The Medicare Open Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7 is an important time to review your coverage, even if you are happy with your current plan. Your costs, drug coverage, pharmacy network, or other benefits may change for next year, and your own health needs or medications may also change. Reviewing your plan can help you make sure it still meets your needs and works with the medicines and pharmacies you use.
If you have Original Medicare, it is especially important to pay attention to the fall Open Enrollment Period because you have fewer opportunities during the year to make changes than people enrolled in Medicare Advantage. During this Open Enrollment Period, people who have Original Medicare can join, drop, or switch Part D plans, or switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan. Changes generally take effect January 1 of the following year.
Before changing plans, check whether your prescription drugs are covered, what you will pay, and whether your preferred pharmacy is in the plan’s network. You can ask your pharmacist or contact your current Part D plan if you have questions about your prescription costs. You can also use Medicare.gov to compare plans based on the medicines you take and the pharmacies you use.
If you have questions or need help enrolling, please contact the NAPCA Helpline for help comparing plans at 1-800-336-2722. We provide support in English, Korean, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Chinese Mandarin.
<Q2> I’m 65, and I’ve heard that some vaccine recommendations have changed. Do I still need to get vaccinated? And when should I get my vaccines?
Yes. Vaccination remains important, especially for older adults and people with certain chronic health conditions, because they are at higher risk of serious illness.
Although adults age 65 and older make up about 18% of the U.S. population (U.S. Census Bureau) , they face greater likelihood of deaths and hospitalizations from flu and COVID-19. During the 2024–2025 flu season, the CDC estimates that adults age 65 and older accounted for 71% of flu-related deaths and 57% of flu-related hospitalizations in the United States. For COVID-19, adults age 65 and older accounted for 88.4% of recorded COVID-19-associated deaths from July 2024 through June 2025. People of any age with certain chronic health conditions may also be at higher risk of serious complications from flu or COVID-19.
If you live or regularly spend time with an older adult or someone with a chronic health condition, getting vaccinated is critical to help protect them from serious illness.
Staying up to date with recommended vaccinations is an important part of protecting your health. When an updated vaccine is recommended, make sure you receive the most current version. For example, the 2026–2027 flu vaccine has been updated to better match the flu viruses expected to circulate this season.
Your vaccination needs and timing depend on your age, health, and vaccination history. October is generally a good time for most people in the U.S. to receive their flu vaccinations. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist what is appropriate for you, making sure to note any upcoming holiday travel or larger social gatherings you have planned so you are protected during that time.
If you need help getting vaccine information or scheduling a vaccination appointment near you, the NAPCA Helpline can provide assistance.
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If you have questions about public benefits, there are 3 ways you can reach us today:
Call our Helpline at: (English) 1-800-336-2722, (Korean) 1-800-582-4259,
(Chinese Mandarin) 1-800-683-7427, (Cantonese) 1-800-582-4218,
(Vietnamese) 1-800-582-4336
Email: askNAPCA@napca.org
Mail: NAPCA Helpline, 1511 3rd Avenue, Suite 914, Seattle, WA 98101
The National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) is a national non-profit established in 1979, dedicated to empowering older adults through advocacy and access to resources essential to their well-being and independence, regardless of language or culture.
