November 25, 2025

CCHCC has important updates for anyone who is looking for help with Medicare Open Enrollment. The last day of Medicare Open Enrollment is December 7, 2025.

No more appointments are available with CCHCC or other SHIP sites – What you need to do instead:

SHIP stands for State Health Insurance (Assistance) Program. CCHCC is one of two SHIP organizations in Champaign County, and both are totally full and have no more appointments available this year.

For those who are still needing help with Medicare Open Enrollment, we are now recommending that you call the Medicare Helpline at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) / TTY 1-877-486-2048.

We are disheartened to have to be turning community members away due to lack of appointment availability and we continue to strive to help every person we possibly can. Please see below for important information.

If you end up in an Advantage plan that does not work for you, you CAN change plans!

Here is a little known fact:  Anyone who ends up in a Medicare Advantage plan that does not work for them, has the option to switch advantage plans during the “Annual Enrollment Period” from January 1 to March 31.

To anyone who wasn’t able to obtain an appointment with CCHCC or another SHIP counselor this year, and to anyone who is generally nervous or uncertain of your decision: Please don’t hesitate to call us at the first of the year in 2026 to review your plan and double-check that it’s the one you that will work for you. Our community is going through a huge shift next year, and it can be nerve-wracking to switch insurance companies. We are more than happy to look over your decision during the Annual Enrollment Period and help you obtain some peace of mind.

Regarding Health Alliance Medicare Advantage plan members:
We have received several inquiries about the time you have available to choose a new plan for 2026 if you are a current Health Alliance Medicare Advantage plan member.

There are some special circumstances that apply to Health Alliance Medicare Advantage Plan members, since Health Alliance is going away.

READ ON!

October 14, 2025

Tomorrow morning – Wednesday, October 15 – CCHCC will be holding our annual Medicare Open Enrollment Community Meeting at 10 a.m. at the Champaign Public Library.

Please join us!

The meeting is open to anyone who has Medicare or who will soon be eligible to start receiving Medicare.

Our presenter is Nicole Mitchell, who is CCHCC’s Senior Services Specialist.

Nicole will provide information about the basics of Medicare, and Medicare Open Enrollment. And there will be a Q & A session.

Here are the basics about tomorrow’s meeting:

WHAT: Medicare Open Enrollment Community Meeting

WHEN: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 10 a.m.

WHERE: Champaign Public Library / 200 W. Green Street in Champaign / Robeson Pavilion Room A & B

AMENITIES: Free parking / refreshments
Please note that Medicare Open Enrollment takes place from October 15 through December 7, 2025 for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans for 2026.

Please help spread the word to publicize these events!

Sincerely,
Champaign County Health Care Consumers