The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7. Use these four core verification steps to evaluate your existing plan and see if changes are required:
A critical piece of your retirement healthcare planning is knowing exactly where you can go for care. In Southwest Michigan, your choices typically revolve around three major health systems. How you interact with them depends entirely on whether you choose Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. Here’s how the Southwest Michigan big 3 compare:
The specific Medicare path you choose dictates how freely you can move between these local medical providers.
This pathway operates under the absolute freedom rule. You can seek care from any doctor or medical facility in the United States that accepts Medicare patients. Nationally, more than 90% of physicians participate in the program.
Medicare Advantage plans are managed by private insurers (such as Priority Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, or UnitedHealthcare). These plans restrict coverage to a specific network of participating providers.
Before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan, always perform a targeted provider audit. Do not simply check if the overarching hospital group is listed as in-network; verify that your exact primary doctor and essential specialists are individually participating.
Meet our Team: Your Kalamazoo, Marshall, and Battle Creek Area Retirement Specialists: Chuck Henrich, President and Owner, Investment Advisor; Stacey Pennock, Operations Manager; Justin Henrich, Medicare, Insurance, & Financial Advisor
Navigating these shifting local hospital networks and annual premium changes requires real regional expertise. As a local, independent Medicare and financial advisor with over a decade of experience helping Southwest Michigan seniors, Justin Henrich Medicare, Insurance, & Financial Advisor understands exactly how regional carrier changes impact your healthcare access. Working with a dedicated, local professional gives you an advocate who looks at your complete financial picture rather than just selling you a policy.
Before choosing an Advantage plan, see us to perform a “Provider Audit.” Don’t just check if the hospital is in-network; confirm that your specific Primary Care Physician (PCP) and any specialists you see regularly are currently participating!
For a thorough plan alignment review, call Justin at (269) 323-7964 and ask for a personalized compatibility check against your preferred providers at Bronson, Oaklawn, and Beacon health systems or any other Southwest Michigan providers
Medicare and You Handbook 2026
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