Check Before You Choose: What to Know About 2027 Health Insurance Open Enrollment

It's open enrollment season, and the plan you pick now decides where you can get care in 2027. Every year, we meet patients who enrolled in a new plan and found out later that it doesn't include Ridgecrest Regional Hospital or their doctor. A few minutes of checking now can save you a long drive, a surprise bill or a gap in care.

RRH does not recommend any insurance plan, company or agent. Our goal is to help you ask the right questions so you can make the choice that's best for you.

Step 1: Check whether RRH accepts the plan

Before you enroll, look for the plan on our list of health insurance plans we accept. Plan names can look alike, so match the exact plan name and type (HMO, PPO or EPO), not just the insurance company.

Then call your doctor's office and ask, "Do you accept this plan for 2027?" A hospital and its clinics can take a plan that an individual provider does not, and networks can change from year to year.

Questions about coverage at RRH? Email admitting@rrh.org or call (760) 499-3750.

Step 2: Know your plan type

The letters on your plan matter as much as the company name.

• HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): You usually choose or are assigned a primary care doctor or medical group, and you need referrals to see specialists. Care outside the network is generally not covered except in an emergency. At RRH, most Medicare Advantage HMO plans are not accepted without prior authorization from the insurance company.
• PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): You can see doctors in or out of the network, usually without a referral. Out-of-network care costs more.
• EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization): You must stay in the plan's network. Care outside the network is not covered except in an emergency, and some EPO plans also require you to choose a primary care doctor. If RRH or your doctor is not in the network, you may be responsible for the full cost of your care. Before you enroll, carefully review the network information in your open enrollment materials. EPO plans may offer lower premiums and deductibles, but they limit which doctors and hospitals you can see.

No matter what plan you have, RRH's Emergency Department will care for you regardless of insurance or ability to pay.

If you have Medicare: set your own 48-hour rule

Medicare Open Enrollment runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2026, and changes take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Some Medicare sales rules changed on Oct. 1, 2026. Agents no longer have to wait 48 hours after you agree to an appointment before they can meet with you, and a sales presentation can now follow a free educational seminar at the same location. That means you may be asked to make a decision quickly.

You can protect yourself:

1. Take your time. Give yourself at least 48 hours to think over any offer, and never feel pressured to sign on the spot.
2. Don't respond to unexpected calls or visits. If someone contacts you about changing your Medicare plan, you don't have to engage.
3. Get free, unbiased help from HICAP. The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program does not sell insurance. Call 1-800-434-0222, and be sure to tell them you live in Ridgecrest so they can help you find plans that are accepted here.
4. Compare plans yourself. The Medicare Plan Finder lets you compare plans side by side and enter your doctors to see which plans include them. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
5. Ask about extra help. If you qualify, Medi-Cal can work alongside Original Medicare to help with costs. If you don't, a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan can help pay your Part A and Part B coinsurance and deductibles while keeping your choice of doctors.

Free Medicare and Social Security webinar: Kern County HICAP and the Social Security Administration are hosting a free, live Zoom webinar on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, at 10 a.m. Pacific. Topics include what's changing in Medicare for 2027, reviewing your Part D coverage, how Extra Help can lower prescription costs, and how to spot Medicare marketing violations and scams. Live captions are available in multiple languages. This event is not hosted by RRH. Register free at RRH.org/webinar, then watch for a confirmation email from no-reply@zoom.us (check your spam folder). Questions? Call 1-800-434-0222.

If you chose a Medicare Advantage plan and it isn't working for you, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1 through March 31, 2027) lets you switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare once.

If you buy your own insurance: Covered California

Covered California Open Enrollment runs Nov. 1, 2026 through Jan. 31, 2027. Enroll by Dec. 31 for coverage that starts Jan. 1.

Medi-Cal and Covered California use the same application. If you apply for Medi-Cal and don't qualify, your application is used to show you Covered California options. Visit CoveredCA.com or call 1-800-300-1506.

If you have Medi-Cal: changes are coming in 2027

New federal rules will change Medi-Cal for some members:

• Starting Jan. 1, 2027: Some adults ages 19 to 64 without children under 13 will need to show work, volunteer, school or training activities to keep Medi-Cal. Exemptions include pregnancy, disability and serious health conditions.
• Starting March 1, 2027: Some adults ages 19 to 64 will need to renew every six months instead of once a year.

Missing a renewal deadline could mean losing coverage. Make sure your address, phone number and income are up to date with your county Medi-Cal office or at BenefitsCal.com, and watch your mail for renewal notices. Your Medi-Cal health plan's website also has information for members. Learn more from the California Department of Health Care Services.

If you get insurance through work

Employer open enrollment periods vary, so check with your HR or benefits team for your deadline. The same rule applies: look up the exact plan on our accepted list and call your doctor's office before you choose.

Questions?

• Coverage at RRH: admitting@rrh.org or (760) 499-3750
• Accepted plans: rrh.org insurance list
• Common questions: RRH FAQ
• Free Medicare counseling (HICAP): 1-800-434-0222
• RRH Senior Services: (760) 371-1445

Plan networks can change. Always confirm coverage with your insurance company before scheduling care.