Get ready: Medicare Annual Enrollment starts soon
Prepare for annual enrollment by learning more about Medicare. Our resources can help ensure you are ready when plan options are available to review on October 1. Comparing plan options can help you save money.
Get helpful Medicare resources
Already an Allina Health | Aetna member?
Plan benefits and coverage can change. It’s worth it to compare plans.
Cost
Costs of plans can rise and fall
In 2026, over 2.8 million Medicare members saw their monthly premiums increase by $10 or more,* while over 380,000 saw their premiums decrease by $10 or more.*
Choice
In 2026, the average Medicare-eligible consumer had more Medicare Advantage plans to choose from than just five years ago.*
Average number of available plans
Changes
Every year plans may introduce new benefits. And plan basics can also change from year to year, including in-network providers.
Watch our member stories
Bob: I'm Bob
Barbara: And I’m his wife Barbara.
Bob: So from March through the middle of June, Barbara was in the hospital, five times. I mean, I don’t think I slept more than one time at home during that whole period.
Barbara: I was really sick.
Bob: I was afraid to leave her alone. I mean, there were just so many things that had happened. During her second hospital stay, Carol, our Aetna Care Manager, contacted us. I was so thankful for her help. I mean, she was there for everything.
Carol: Barbara had a very complicated case with many hospitalizations, and I was really able to be there, particularly for her husband, who was her primary caregiver.
Bob: She really was… She removed some of the worries that I had, because I knew she was going to have ‘em covered.
Barbara: I knew he was getting help, and I was glad.
Bob: I really liked the fact that it was always Carol calling me back, and I didn't have to explain everything all over again.
Barbara: Carol was like a constant.
Bob: I was Barbara’s backup and Carol was my backup, whatever we needed.
Carol: In educating Bob, he was able to feel more comfortable having the conversations with the doctors because I helped him understand what to ask them.
Bob: She said, if you have any questions, talk to your doctor and don't, don't go away until you're satisfied. Carol instilled it in my mind that this was even possible.
Carol: I started volunteering in nursing homes when I was 15. I love being able to help our members stay as active as they want to be. It's a true privilege.
Barbara: I'm out of the hospital finally, and I am actually babysitting my granddaughter Megan. So, I am better.
Bob: She tells me she loves me a lot more.
Barbara: Yeah.
Bob and Barbara’s story
When Barbara was hospitalized, Bob suddenly found himself navigating everything alone. Then their Allina Health | Aetna Care Manager reached out, helping him understand what to do, what to ask and what to plan on.
I continue to be impressed with the holistic approach that Allina Health | Aetna Medicare brings to health care. I never expected that level of personalized outreach. It really makes me feel that there’s a sense of care for me as an individual.*”
— Allina Health | Aetna Medicare member
Get helpful Medicare resources
Not fluent in Medicare? Don’t worry, we can help. Our free Medicare Guidebook explains your Medicare coverage options, the difference between PPO and HMO plans, enrollment periods, and answers to frequently asked questions and more.
Our Plan Comparison Worksheet is designed to help you compare the details of up to three different plans side by side once plan details are available on October 1.
We’ll email you both of these helpful tools!
Learn more about Medicare
There’s a lot to know about Medicare, from the parts of Medicare to commonly used terms. Take some time to learn about the cost, coverage and convenience of Medicare Advantage plans. We’re here to help guide you in learning about Medicare. Explore our educational website for helpful articles, videos and more.
*FOR MEMBER TESTIMONIAL: Member feedback has been edited for length and clarity.
*FOR 2026 PREMIUM COSTS: Deft Analysis of CMS 2025-2026 Medicare Advantage landscape, crosswalk, and PBP files. All figures exclude SNP, MMP, and EGHP plans. Enrollment figures from CMS September 2025 CPSC file.
*FOR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN CHOICE: Freed M, Fuglesten Biniek J, Damico A, et al. Medicare Advantage 2026 Spotlight: A First Look at Plan Offerings. KFF.org. Accessed May 12, 2026.
Participating health care providers are independent contractors and are neither agents nor employees of Allina Health | Aetna. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed, and provider network composition is subject to change.