The Medicare open enrollment period had multiple challenges because of the federal government shutdown, but there are still 2,672 people in northeast Alabama who will collectively save more than $1.5 million in 2026 thanks to the Alabama State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) administered through the TARCOG Area Agency on Aging.
The shutdown started before Open Enrollment began on Oct. 15, so counselors had very little to no federal support on the changes for this year.
“My joy this year was that even though we had many challenges … we still persevered and assisted a large number of people,” said SHIP Resource Coordinator Teresa Hazzard.
That means people throughout the region are saving on their Medicare insurance premiums and prescription medications thanks to the SHIP counselors.
TARCOG’s Director of Aging Programs Sheila Dessau-Ivey said SHIP is an important program because change is inevitable in people’s lives. Having an objective advocate to review and find the most cost-efficient plan to provide medications can make a difference in household budgets.
Teresa said there are always many plans out there and they all offer different coverages. And each company’s plan usually changes each year. That’s why it’s important to check coverage every year because the SHIP counselors in the region are able to compare a client’s medication list with the different plans and find the most cost-effective option to share with the client.
During the Open Enrollment period for this year, Carla Sims, Limestone County’s SHIP counselor, said so many clients saw 2026 plan premiums were going up to an amount they could not possibly afford.
“Instead of having to drop their coverage, I was able to find them a plan that was within their budget and still save on their medications,” Carla said.
Teresa said the best part is that the savings yielded is money going back into the pockets of clients, she said.
“We know every penny counts,” Teresa said.
Those responsible for helping with Open Enrollment this year included: Teresa, who works out of TARCOG’s headquarters in Huntsville; Veronica Woodall in Jackson County; Lynn Hixon and Emily McCamy in DeKalb County; Tammy McElroy, and Susan Bishop in Marshall County; and Carla in Limestone County.
Together, the regional counselors met or talked with 2,672 seniors during the 2025 Open Enrollment period. The total savings for those clients during 2025 will amount to $1,564,612.54.
The next opportunity to take advantage of the free service offered by TARCOG will be during Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027, which will be Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2026. If anyone has questions before then, they can reach Teresa at 256-830-0818.
