Every year as we approach the end of the calendar, the health insurance world goes into overdrive. Employers, employees, retirees, and individuals alike are all swept into a narrow window where critical choices must be made.
This is the season where the industry feels like organized chaos — with deadlines stacked against holidays and big decisions that can’t wait.
Employers: Annual Open Enrollment Crunch
For almost every employer, the end of the year means annual open enrollment. This is the time to:
- Review company health plans and offerings for 2026
- Decide on cost-sharing strategies and benefits packages
- Communicate changes to employees
- Allow staff to choose from multiple health and voluntary plans
All of this has to be done in a compressed timeframe, often while HR teams are juggling other year-end priorities. One missed detail can ripple into a year’s worth of employee frustration or unexpected costs.
Medicare Beneficiaries: Critical Choices
For individuals eligible for Medicare, the end of the year also means a chance to reevaluate coverage. Two big areas are front and center:
- Medicare Advantage (HMO) plans – Reviewing networks, benefits, and costs and electing a plan for 2026
- Prescription Drug (Part D) plans – Facing radical pricing increases in 2026, with many plans being discontinued altogether and most will have to carefully review their choices and make a new election
This year is shaping up to be especially tumultuous, with plan cancellations and higher drug costs driving the need for proactive reviews. Doing nothing could leave beneficiaries exposed to higher out-of-pocket costs or potentially without adequate coverage.
Exchange / Covered California Enrollees: Rising Costs Ahead
For those insured through the Affordable Care Act exchanges (ObamaCare) or Covered California in California,, 2026 brings more uncertainty:
- Large premium increases in many markets
- Potential loss of subsidies if federal funding lapses, driving up net costs for families
- Shifting plan designs that may increase deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses
This means individuals and families need to move quickly, shop carefully, and understand how policy changes may affect their bottom line.
Why Action Is Urgent
The theme across all groups is clear: don’t wait. Whether you’re an employer setting strategy, a Medicare beneficiary evaluating drug coverage, or an individual buying through Covered California, the clock is ticking.
Complicating matters is the fact that this all collides with the holiday season — a time when people are distracted, offices are short-staffed, and advisors (like us) are managing a flood of client needs. Waiting until the last minute only adds stress and reduces your options.
How We Can Help
We’re here to help navigate this storm. Whether it’s clarifying plan options, running cost comparisons, or walking through Medicare drug plan changes, our team is on the front lines.
Our advice:
- Don’t delay — start your review now.
- Ask questions early.
- Make decisions with full information, not in a last-minute rush.
And remember: at CorpStrat, we’re managing a very high volume of requests, so reaching out sooner rather than later gives us the best chance to help you smoothly.
Bottom line: This year’s end-of-year planning season will be hectic, complex, and unforgiving of delays. Don’t risk being caught off guard. If you need guidance, reach out today — before the holidays and deadlines take over.