Medicare 2026

Confused about Medicare in Hammond? Here's who gives straight answers for free

HAMMOND, Ind. — If you live in Hammond and you've got Medicare questions, you don't have to figure it out alone, and you don't have to pay anyone to explain it to you. Free, unbiased help is available locally — you just need to know where to look and what each kind of helper can (and can't) do.

Medicare 2027Hammond, IN

Between Medicare's own resources, Indiana's SHIP counselors, and licensed insurance agents, most folks in Lake County can get their questions answered without ever handing over a credit card. Here's how each option works.

Start with SHIP: Indiana's free Medicare counselors

SHIP stands for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Every state has one, and it's funded by a federal grant specifically so seniors and people with disabilities can get objective Medicare guidance. SHIP counselors do not sell insurance. They do not earn commissions. Their only job is to help you understand your choices.

In Indiana, the program is run through the Indiana Department of Insurance. SHIP counselors can walk you through:

• The difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
• How Part D drug coverage works and what the 2027 changes mean
• Medigap (Medicare Supplement) rules in Indiana
• Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Program if money is tight
• How to compare plans in Lake County using Medicare's Plan Finder

You can reach Indiana SHIP by calling 1-800-452-4800 or visiting medicare.in.gov. Appointments are often available by phone, and in-person help is offered through local partners around northwest Indiana.

When a licensed agent makes sense

Licensed insurance agents and brokers are the other main source of local Medicare help. In most cases, their services are free to you — they're paid by the insurance companies whose plans they sell.

That's a fair setup, but it's important to understand the trade-off. An agent can only recommend plans from carriers they're contracted with. Some independent brokers work with many carriers; a captive agent may only represent one. Neither is bad — you just want to ask up front.

Good questions to ask any agent:

• Which carriers are you appointed with?
• Are you independent, or do you work for one insurance company?
• Will you review my current plan every year, even if I don't switch?
• Can you help me with both Medicare Advantage and Medigap?

If an agent won't answer those clearly, that's your signal to keep looking.

What the numbers look like in Lake County

Hammond is in Lake County, where CMS listed 68 Medicare Advantage plans for 2026, offered by 8 different carriers with drug coverage included. The 2027 lineup is spelled out in each plan's ANOC and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder. Either way, it's a lot to sort through, which is exactly why one-on-one help — from SHIP or an agent — is worth an hour of your time.

For stand-alone Part D drug plans, availability is set at the regional level, and options change each year. Your SHIP counselor or medicare.gov can show you the current list for your ZIP code.

Free help you can trust, at a glance

• Medicare.gov — the official federal site, with the Plan Finder tool that shows every plan available at your address.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — 24/7 help from Medicare itself.
• Indiana SHIP — 1-800-452-4800, free counseling with no sales angle.
• Social Security — 1-800-772-1213, for enrollment and Extra Help applications.
• Licensed local agents — free to you; ask which carriers they represent.

Watch out for these red flags

Not everyone offering "Medicare help" is looking out for you. Be careful with anyone who:

• Calls or shows up at your door uninvited claiming to be from Medicare (Medicare doesn't do that)
• Pressures you to decide today or "before the deadline" when the deadline isn't actually here
• Asks for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank info before you've agreed to anything
• Promises specific savings without reviewing your actual prescriptions and doctors

If something feels off, hang up and call SHIP or 1-800-MEDICARE directly.

Key dates to keep in mind for 2027 coverage

• Annual Enrollment Period: Oct. 15 – Dec. 7 (change Medicare Advantage or Part D)
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: Jan. 1 – March 31 (one switch allowed if you're already in MA)
• Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027
• Part D maximum deductible: $615
• IRMAA income surcharges: begin above $109,000 for single filers

The coverage gap — the old "donut hole" — is gone as of 2025, replaced with a simpler three-phase structure.