Governor Kelly Ayotte announced Friday that Medicare beneficiaries living in Coos and Carroll counties will be able to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for the 2027 coverage year. The decision reverses information previously posted on the state’s website earlier this week, which had suggested the counties would not have access to the private‑managed option.
Why the change matters for local seniors
Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Part C, allow seniors to receive their Medicare benefits through private insurers that often bundle hospital, medical and prescription drug coverage into a single plan. For residents of the rural northern counties, the addition of a local option could mean more choices, potentially lower out‑of‑pocket costs and added benefits such as vision or dental coverage that traditional Medicare does not provide.
State and federal coordination
The governor said she consulted directly with Dr. Mehmet Oz, the director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to secure the new option. “Our conversation with Dr. Oz helped clarify the pathway for Coos and Carroll seniors to join a Medicare Advantage plan,” Ayotte said. “We are committed to ensuring that every New Hampshire senior has access to the health coverage they deserve.”
Open enrollment timeline
New Hampshire’s Medicare open enrollment period runs through December 7. Seniors in the two counties who wish to switch to or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan must submit their applications before that deadline. The governor’s office encouraged residents to review plan details carefully and to contact the state’s Department of Health and Human Services for assistance.
Local response
Community leaders in both counties welcomed the announcement, noting that many seniors have limited transportation options to reach providers in larger cities. “Having a Medicare Advantage plan locally could reduce travel burdens and give our older adults more convenient access to care,” said a spokesperson for the Coos County senior services council.
Next steps
The state will work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to finalize the plan’s network of providers and to ensure that enrollment materials are distributed widely across the two counties. Ayotte’s office also indicated that it will monitor enrollment numbers and gather feedback from seniors to assess the program’s impact.
For more information about Medicare Advantage enrollment, seniors can visit the official Medicare website or call the state’s health services hotline.
Original reporting: WMUR (Hearst) – local news — read the source article.
