Medicare Part D
Where Sterling Heights Retirees Get Free, Unbiased Medicare Help
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. — If you live here and Medicare mail is stacking up on the kitchen table, you're not alone. Sterling Heights sits in Macomb County, home to a large share of Michigan's older adults, and the choices can feel overwhelming. The good news: you can get real, unbiased help without paying a dime and without being pushed toward any one plan.
Compare Medicare options near you
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Plan availability is set by your county, so we start here.
How old are you?
This helps match you with options you’re eligible for.
Do you have Medicare Parts A & B?
Most Medicare Advantage and Medigap options require both.
These listings are provided by licensed insurance partners.
Will your prescriptions still be covered in 2027?
Part D plans rewrite their drug lists every year — tiers move, pharmacies change, drugs drop off. One call checks your exact medications against the 2027 plans in your area.
- Every prescription checked, name by name
- Your pharmacy checked for preferred pricing
Available now — current wait: 0 min
A real person answers. No phone menu, ever.
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Continue →Advertising disclosure: MyMedicarePlans.org may be compensated when you contact a partner or licensed agent. Listings are not ranked or endorsed by us, and we do not recommend specific plans. You can also contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.
Speak to a Licensed Insurance Agent
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Key takeaways
- Michigan's free counseling program, MMAP, offers unbiased help with Medicare questions and never sells insurance or earns commissions.
- You can reach MMAP by calling 1-800-803-7174 or visiting mmapinc.org for phone, in-person, or video appointments.
- Macomb County, which includes Sterling Heights, had 86 Medicare Advantage plans from 14 carriers with drug coverage in 2026; the 2027 lineup is in each plan's Annual Notice of Change and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder.
- Before meeting with MMAP or an agent, bring your Medicare card, prescription list, preferred doctors and hospitals, current plan ID card, and notes on upcoming procedures or travel.
Straight answers, no sales pitch
This guide walks you through where to turn — starting with Michigan's free counseling program — and what to know before you talk with a licensed agent.
Start with MMAP, Michigan's SHIP
Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). In Michigan, it's called MMAP — the Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program. MMAP counselors are trained volunteers and staff who do not sell insurance and do not earn commissions. Their only job is to help you understand your options.
They can help you:
- Compare Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap options side by side on Medicare.gov
- Sort through Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs if money is tight
- Understand a denial letter, a bill, or a notice from a plan
- Review your coverage during Annual Enrollment (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7)
How to reach MMAP: Call 1-800-803-7174 or visit mmapinc.org to find a counselor near Sterling Heights. Appointments are often available by phone, in person at senior centers or libraries, or by video.
What licensed agents can — and can't — do
Licensed insurance agents can also be helpful, especially if you want someone to walk you through enrollment. Just know how they work:
- Agents are paid by the insurance companies whose plans they sell.
- Most agents only sell a limited menu of carriers, not every plan on the market.
- A good agent will explain that up front and won't pressure you.
If you use an agent, ask which carriers they represent, whether they'll review your drug list on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder, and whether they'll be reachable after you enroll. You can absolutely use both an MMAP counselor and an agent — many people do.
What's actually available around Sterling Heights
Plan availability in Medicare is set at the county level. Sterling Heights is in Macomb County, where CMS Landscape data showed 86 Medicare Advantage plans in 2026, from 14 carriers with MA-PD (Medicare Advantage with drug coverage) options. The 2027 lineup is in each plan's Annual Notice of Change and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder. Stand-alone Part D plan counts vary; ask MMAP or check Medicare.gov for the current list.
Star Ratings, which CMS publishes each fall, are one tool to gauge plan quality — they measure things like customer service and care coordination. They are not a substitute for checking whether your doctors and drugs are covered.
2027 rules worth knowing before any meeting
Walking in with a few facts makes any conversation shorter and smarter. For 2027:
- Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027. Once your drug spending hits that, you pay nothing for covered drugs the rest of the year.
- Part D maximum deductible: $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027. Plans can charge less, but not more.
- No more donut hole. As of 2025, Part D has three phases instead of four.
- Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. You can ask your Part D plan to spread your drug costs across monthly payments instead of paying big amounts at the pharmacy counter.
- IRMAA (higher premiums for higher incomes) starts above $109,000 for a single filer in 2026, based on your 2024 tax return.
- Key dates: Annual Enrollment Period runs Oct. 15 – Dec. 7. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment runs Jan. 1 – March 31 for people already in an MA plan.
How to prepare for your appointment
Whether you meet with MMAP or an agent, bring:
1. Your red, white, and blue Medicare card 2. A full list of your prescriptions, including doses 3. A list of doctors and hospitals you want to keep 4. Any current plan's member ID card and recent notice of changes 5. Notes on any upcoming procedures or travel
That prep alone can turn a two-hour puzzle into a 30-minute conversation.
By the numbers
Medicare Part B premium, 2006–2026
The standard monthly Part B premium has climbed from $88.50 in 2006 to $202.90 in 2026. Hover any point for that year’s premium.
Source: CMS. Standard premium shown; in some hold-harmless years many existing enrollees paid less. Confirm at Medicare.gov.
By the numbers
How people get Medicare in Macomb County
(MA penetration in Macomb County)
MA penetration from CMS enrollment data; Medigap share is an estimate. U.S. average is about 54% Medicare Advantage. These are area-level figures, not plan-specific.
Higher-income surcharges
IRMAA income brackets
If your income is above a threshold, you pay an income-related surcharge (IRMAA) on top of your Part B and Part D premiums. The 2026 surcharge is based on your 2024 tax return. CMS publishes the 2027 Part B figures and IRMAA brackets later in the fall.
| Income — single filer | Income — married, joint | Part B monthly premium | Part D surcharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 | Plan premium only |
| $109,001 – $137,000 | $218,001 – $274,000 | $284.10 | + $14.50 |
| $137,001 – $171,000 | $274,001 – $342,000 | $405.80 | + $37.40 |
| $171,001 – $205,000 | $342,001 – $410,000 | $527.50 | + $60.40 |
| $205,001 – $500,000 | $410,001 – $750,000 | $649.30 | + $83.30 |
| Above $500,000 | Above $750,000 | $689.90 | + $91.00 |
Standard Part B premium is $202.90/month. Part D surcharges are added to your drug plan’s premium. Married-filing-separately uses a different, compressed schedule. Confirm current amounts at Medicare.gov.
Try it
How the 2026 Part D drug cap works
Slide to your estimated yearly prescription costs and see how the new $2,100 out-of-pocket cap protects you. This illustrates the standard Part D benefit; your plan may structure costs differently.
Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches $2,100, you pay nothing more for the rest of 2026. Confirm details at Medicare.gov.
Explore
When can you enroll? An interactive year
Enrollment windows are federal and the same nationwide. Confirm your personal dates at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is MMAP really free? What's the catch?
I keep getting TV ads and mailers. Do I have to switch plans every year?
Can one person help me with both Medicare and my drug costs?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.