If you have employees becoming Medicare-eligible before your January 1, 2026, open enrollment date, keep in mind the Medicare landscape has shifted dramatically this year, and these changes are going to impact your workforce, and your team in ways you can’t afford to ignore.
What’s Changing in Medicare and Why It Matters
Medicare Advantage and Supplement plans are evolving rapidly. From expanded benefits like dental, vision, and fitness allowances to shifting provider networks and premiums, 2025–2026 will see some of the most significant changes in recent memory. Carriers are battling fiercely for market share, and that means your employees’ options will look very different this year.
But that’s not all. Many carriers have left the market entirely, forcing people to scramble to find new coverage. And with insurance companies ramping up marketing efforts months before enrollment periods even start, employees are making crucial decisions, often without fully understanding how Medicare works alongside their employer coverage.
In fact, a recent Nationwide Retirement Institute survey found that 68% of workers aged 60 and over say they don’t understand how Medicare works, and 70% wish they understood it better. Even more concerning, more than 1 in 3 employees mistakenly believe that Medicare is free. That knowledge gap can lead to expensive missteps.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. If you miss a Medicare enrollment window, your employees could face lifetime penalties and significantly higher healthcare costs, complications that create headaches for everyone involved.
Here’s Why You Need to Act NOW
Understanding Medicare isn’t quick or simple. Employees need time to compare plans, learn how Medicare integrates with your company’s benefits, and avoid costly mistakes. Unfortunately, delays at Social Security offices are already causing processing times to stretch beyond seven weeks, and with recent staffing cuts, fall will likely bring unprecedented wait times.
Miss a deadline, and your employees might be stuck waiting a full year to enroll, often at a much higher price.
That’s why proactive, early education is essential, and why waiting until open enrollment is too late.
Start Planning Today
Medicare changes are happening now. The window to educate your workforce and prepare for 2026 is already open, and the sooner you act, the better. Delaying could leave your employees vulnerable to missed deadlines, lifelong penalties, and limited coverage options, all of which can impact retention, productivity, and healthcare costs for your organization. Now is the time to identify employees nearing Medicare eligibility, engage a trusted Medicare education partner, and start proactive communication well before open enrollment. Hosting educational workshops or webinars, providing clear resources, and integrating Medicare planning into your overall benefits strategy can help your employees make confident, informed decisions. By taking these steps today, you’re not just supporting your workforce, you’re protecting your business. Medicare isn’t just a retiree issue anymore; it’s a workforce readiness issue, and preparation needs to start now.