Medicare 2026

Free, Unbiased Medicare Help in Norwich: Where to Turn

NORWICH, Conn. — Picking a Medicare plan can feel like a full-time job. Mailers pile up, TV ads shout at you, and the phone rings with people you don't know. The good news: Norwich residents have access to trained counselors who don't sell anything and don't earn a commission. Here's where to get straight answers close to home.

Free, Unbiased Medicare Help in Norwich

Start with CHOICES, Connecticut's SHIP

Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP. In Connecticut, it's called CHOICES, and it's the go-to source for free, one-on-one Medicare counseling.

CHOICES counselors are trained volunteers and staff who can:

• Explain how Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap work.
• Walk you through the Medicare Plan Finder on medicare.gov.
• Help you compare drug coverage using your actual prescription list.
• Review whether you qualify for programs that help pay premiums or drug costs, like the Medicare Savings Program or Extra Help.

They don't sell plans and they don't recommend one over another. Their job is to help you understand your options so you can decide.

To reach CHOICES, call Connecticut's Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-800-994-9422, or visit portal.ct.gov/AgingandDisability.

Local help in Norwich and New London County

Norwich sits in New London County, and there are a few local doorways into CHOICES:

• Norwich Senior Center (Rose City Senior Center) is a natural first stop for older adults living in the city.
• Senior Resources – Agency on Aging of Southeastern CT, based in Norwich, is the regional Area Agency on Aging. Their staff and volunteers provide CHOICES counseling by appointment.
• Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA) also serves the region and can connect residents to benefits counseling.

Appointments are usually free, and many are offered by phone if you can't come in.

What licensed agents and brokers do differently

Licensed insurance agents are the other main source of Medicare help. Unlike SHIP counselors, agents are paid a commission by insurance companies when you enroll in a plan.

That's not a bad thing — a good agent can save you hours of research and stays with you year after year. But you should know two things:

1. Most agents are only "appointed" with certain carriers, so they can only show you plans from those companies. 2. An independent broker who represents many carriers can offer a wider view than a "captive" agent tied to a single company.

Either way, an agent working in Connecticut must be licensed by the state. You can verify a license through the Connecticut Insurance Department at portal.ct.gov/CID.

How to tell if the help you're getting is unbiased

A few simple tests before you sign anything:

• Ask how they're paid. SHIP/CHOICES counselors are not paid on commission. Agents are.
• Ask how many carriers they represent. More is generally better for comparison.
• Ask for it in writing. Any responsible source will give you plan documents and let you take them home.
• Never share your Medicare number with someone who called or texted you out of the blue. Medicare will not call to sell you a plan.

If something feels rushed or pushy, walk away. The Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7, and Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment runs January 1 through March 31 — you have time.

Some context on what's available locally

New London County has 38 Medicare Advantage plans available for 2026, offered by 7 carriers with drug coverage built in, according to CMS Plan Finder data. The 2027 lineup will appear in each plan's Annual Notice of Change and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder. Connecticut has 11 stand-alone Part D plans for 2026, sold statewide — people who want drug coverage typically get it bundled with an Advantage plan or paired with Original Medicare through one of those separate stand-alone Part D plans.

A counselor or agent can help you sort through those choices based on your doctors, your prescriptions, and your budget.

A quick note on 2027 rules worth knowing

Whether you talk to CHOICES or a licensed agent during this fall's Annual Enrollment Period, ask how these 2027 changes affect you:

• Part D out-of-pocket cap of $2,400 in 2027 (up from $2,100 in 2026). Once your drug spending hits that ceiling, you pay nothing for covered drugs the rest of the year.
• Part D deductible up to $700 in 2027 (plans can charge less).
• The coverage gap ("donut hole") is gone. Part D now has three phases instead of four.
• Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. You can choose to spread drug costs across the calendar year in monthly payments instead of paying at the pharmacy counter.
• IRMAA surcharges on Part B and Part D begin above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026.