HOUSTON – The Houston Health Department’s Harris County Area Agency on Aging (HCAAA) is providing free benefits counseling to help residents navigate their choices during the Medicare open enrollment period, which ends December 7, 2025.
Certified benefits counselors offer unbiased, one-on-one guidance to help new and current beneficiaries compare plans and make informed decisions about their health and prescription drug coverage for 2026. These counselors do not endorse or sell any specific insurance plan.
Who is Eligible for Medicare?
Adults aged 65 or older.
Individuals under 65 with a qualifying disability.
People with End-Stage Renal Disease or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
What You Can Do During Open Enrollment This period is the primary opportunity for most beneficiaries to:
Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
Change from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare.
Select a new health or prescription drug plan that better fits their needs for 2026.
How to Get Help Appointments are available over the phone, virtually (via Zoom or Microsoft Teams), or in-person. To prepare for your appointment, please have the following items ready:
Your Medicare card
A list of your current medications
Proof of income, such as an award letter from Social Security
Proof of your current health insurance
Counselors can also screen for eligibility in programs like the Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) and Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy), which can help cover premiums, deductibles, and copays. Additionally, under current Medicare rules, covered insulin products are capped at $35 for a one-month supply.
Schedule Your Free Appointment Today The deadline to enroll or make changes is December 7, 2025, for coverage beginning January 1, 2026.
For beneficiaries age 60 and older: Call the Harris County Area Agency on Aging at 832-393-4301.
For beneficiaries under age 60: Contact the partner Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 1-855-YES-ADRC (1-855-937-2372).
To preview plans on your own, visit the official Medicare website at Medicare.gov.
