BUCKHANNON – Medicare open enrollment begins Oct. 15, and local independent insurance agent Jeff Barnhart wants to help residents review their options and changes for 2027.
Barnhart said open enrollment, which runs Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, is the busiest season for his business. This year, he will meet clients by appointment at 10 Island Avenue in Buckhannon, where Rob Kimble is sharing office space with him.
He also has two informational meetings scheduled in Upshur County. The first, on Monday, October 19, will focus on The Health Plan, while the second on Wednesday, October 21, will cover Peak Medicare. Both free, no-obligation seminars will be held at the Daily Grind Event Center, 20 Raella Lane in Buckhannon, beginning at 11 a.m. Light refreshments will be served.
The goal is to help people choose the options that best meet their individual needs.
“If it’s available in West Virginia, I have access to it,” Barnhart said of the Medicare plans he offers.
Barnhart helps his customers break down their needs and ensure their prescriptions are covered under a plan before they officially enroll.
“We sit down and conduct a needs analysis to determine what meets their needs, and the major thing that affects people is their prescription drugs,” Barnhart said. “That’s a big cost to a lot of people, especially if they’re taking something besides generic medication; they’re taking a brand-name drug, or maybe a specialty drug, and that’s a high cost.”
Barnhart pointed to changes in prescription drug costs for 2027. Those include additional negotiated prices taking effect and a new annual out-of-pocket limit.
“We will sit down and do the needs analysis with their drugs, we put it in and see what their drug costs will be, and then we go and see what their needs are and what they look for in a hospitalization as far as copays or no copay,” Barnhart said. “Then we explain Medicare Advantage versus Medigap or Medicare supplements. Medicare Advantage has prescription drugs tied into it and also has a nonprescription version.”
The fall enrollment period allows people to join, drop or switch Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plans, with changes taking effect January 1 of the following year, according to Medicare.gov.
Barnhart urged people to review their plans because some are leaving Upshur County next year. He said a Humana plan is withdrawing and its members will need other coverage for 2027.
“It’s important that they realize that and reach out,” Barnhart said.
Barnhart also warned residents not to give their Medicare number to unsolicited callers.
“They don’t provide coverage to them or tell them what their copays are. They don’t provide a book. They don’t provide that personal touch that a one-on-one, local independent agent can do,” Barnhart said. “It’s important not to give that Medicare number out to anyone on the telephone, because that’s dangerous.”
“Once they give that number out, then that gives these telemarketers everything they need to sign people up, and if these people try to call back, they’re most likely not going to get the same person,” Barnhart added.
Barnhart encouraged people to call him at 304-365-2362 to set up an appointment and review their coverage.
“My phone is answered 24/7, 365,” Barnhart said. “Seniors are inundated with these telemarketers, and it’s not always the best plan for them because the majority of the time they don’t even check their drugs or tell them what their cost is.”
Barnhart said he explains clients’ plans in simple terms and gives them an enrollment book listing their copays and costs to refer to later.
“If they have any problems, I always encourage them to call me,” Barnhart said.
