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# Senior Corner - Medicare Open Enrollment Oct. 15 - Dec. 7
- URL: https://pembrokecitizenjournal.com/community/senior-corner-medicare-open-enrollment-oct-15-dec-7/
- Published: 2026-10-23T14:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T14:14:13.000Z
- Description: Medicare Open Enrollment runs Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, and Pembroke seniors can call the town's outreach social worker to request an appointment with a SHINE counselor.
- Author: Ken Pike
- Tags: Community, Senior Corner

![](https://cdn.synaps.media/pembrokenews/content/images/2026/10/FullSizeRender-1.jpeg)

All seniors who are on Medicare should use the Open Enrollment period from Oct. 15-Dec. 7 to review their coverage to be sure that it will still be the best for them in 2027\. Each town has a Senior Center and most centers have SHINE counselors (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) to assist with this process. In the town of Pembroke seniors can call Marie Vitale, the outreach social worker, at [781-829-3658](tel:781-829-3658) to request an appointment. Because Medicare Open Enrollment is a very busy time for counselors, appointments fill quickly. Generally you will be referred to the Regional SHINE office if no appointments are available in your town. If needed, consultations can often be done over the phone. SHINE counselors provide free, independent, objective advice regarding Medicare insurance and are trained regularly and certified annually to ensure their knowledge of Medicare insurance plans. You can also use the Medicare website, [Medicare.gov](http://Medicare.gov) or call your current insurer directly. If you receive direct mail marketing or phone calls, these generally are from companies who want you to join their plans. Therefore the advice they provide will not be independent or objective and may not be in your best interest. There are also private insurance brokers who provide this service but they are generally receiving a commission from the companies they promote. Also, they may not be able to provide information on all Medicare plans that are offered in Massachusetts. Some steps you should take as you consider your options are as follows:

1. Review your plan’s Annual Notice of Change
2. Check whether your monthly premium has changed and review deductibles, copays and coinsurance
3. Confirm that your doctors and hospitals are in the plan’s networks
4. Ensure that your medications are in the plan’s formulary and whether the copay costs are changing
5. If you receive additional benefits such as dental, vision and hearing, review any changes in costs or coverages

Your goal is to ensure, as best you can, that your coverage is the best to meet your needs and fit your budget for the coming year. If you decide that you need to make a change, you must do it by Dec. 7 for it to be in effect for January 2027\. As you can see, this can be a complicated and somewhat overwhelming process. Accessing assistance such as the help of a SHINE counselor can make it more manageable.

Over the next few weeks, the Senior Corner column will continue to provide reminders about Medicare Open Enrollment and information on general changes occurring in Medicare coverage in the state of Massachusetts as well as nationwide.