Medicare 2026

Medicare guidance in Gahanna: SHIP plus local agents

GAHANNA, Ohio — If you're turning 65 soon, helping a parent, or just trying to make sense of a mailbox full of Medicare flyers, you don't have to figure it out alone. Free, unbiased help is available right here in central Ohio, and licensed local agents can walk you through your choices when you're ready to compare specifics.

Sorting Out Medicare in Gahanna Doesn't Have to Be a Solo Project

The trick is knowing which door to knock on — and when.

Start With OSHIIP: Ohio's Free, Unbiased Medicare Counselors

Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). In Ohio, it's called OSHIIP — the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program, run by the Ohio Department of Insurance.

OSHIIP counselors are trained volunteers and staff who do not sell insurance and are not paid on commission. They can help you:

• Understand the differences between Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D.
• Review your prescription drug list and see how it fits into Plan Finder on Medicare.gov.
• Check whether you qualify for programs that help pay Medicare costs, like Extra Help or a Medicare Savings Program.
• Sort out billing problems, appeals, or coverage denials.

You can reach OSHIIP directly at 1-800-686-1578. Ask for a counselor who serves Franklin County, and they can point you to phone or in-person appointments near Gahanna.

Local In-Person Options Near Gahanna

Franklin County residents also have community-based resources that partner with OSHIIP or offer their own Medicare guidance:

• Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) — serves Franklin and surrounding counties with benefits counseling and caregiver support.
• Gahanna Senior Center — often hosts educational sessions and can connect you with counseling appointments.
• Columbus Metropolitan Library branches, including the Gahanna branch, sometimes host Medicare information events during the fall enrollment window.

If you prefer to talk to a human face-to-face, calling the senior center or COAAA first is usually the fastest way to find the next open slot.

When a Licensed Agent or Broker Makes Sense

OSHIIP is the place for education and objective help. But if you've decided you want to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan and want someone to walk you through specific plan details, a licensed insurance agent is who actually enrolls you.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Franklin County has 74 Medicare Advantage plans available for 2027, offered by 12 different carriers, according to CMS Landscape data. That's a lot to sort through, which is one reason many people use an agent.
• Stand-alone Part D drug plans are also sold in the area for people who keep Original Medicare.
• Ask any agent whether they are independent (representing multiple carriers) or captive (one carrier only). Both are legitimate; you just want to know what they can show you.
• A good agent will ask about your doctors, your prescriptions, and how often you travel — not just push you to sign something.

You are never required to use an agent. You can always enroll directly at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

Key 2027 Numbers Worth Knowing Before You Call

Whether you talk to OSHIIP or an agent, you'll sound informed if you know these program-wide 2026 figures:

• $2,400 — the 2027 out-of-pocket cap on Part D prescription drugs.
• $700 — the maximum Part D deductible a plan can charge in 2027.
• The old coverage gap ("donut hole") is gone as of 2025. Part D now has three phases.
• The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs across the year in monthly installments instead of paying big amounts at the pharmacy counter.
• IRMAA — extra premium charges for higher-income enrollees — kicks in above $109,000 for a single filer in 2026.

Mark These Dates on Your Calendar

• October 15 – December 7, 2026: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. This is when most people compare and change Advantage or Part D plans for 2027.
• January 1 – March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment. If you're already in an Advantage plan, you get one chance during this window to switch to a different Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.

Missing these windows can mean waiting a full year, so it's worth booking a counseling appointment well before December.