Seniors: Walmart's Medicare Plan Has a Catch — Know This Rule Before You Switch

Walmart and Costco both announced Medicare plans with the insurer SCAN — and Walmart's comes with a platform that can use what you buy to tailor nutrition advice. Here's exactly what was announced, what's real and what isn't yet, what they'd know about your shopping cart, and the one Medicare rule to understand before you switch to any Medicare Advantage plan this open enrollment (October 15 – December 7). WHAT TO KNOW • Walmart + SCAN (announced Sept 16, 2026): a co-branded Medicare Advantage plan in two states, not named yet. Pending approval — not part of this fall's open enrollment. Nobody can sign you up for it this fall. • Costco + SCAN (announced Aug 18, 2026): Medicare Advantage in two states and a Medigap policy in a third. Also pending. • The rule: your Medigap open enrollment lasts 6 months from when you start Part B at 65 or older. After that, in most states, switching back from Medicare Advantage can mean health questions, a higher price or a no. Trial rights give you 12 months to change your mind. • If a Medicare Advantage plan denies your care, appeal: in 2024, about 4 out of 5 appealed denials were overturned (KFF). FREE HELP (nobody here sells insurance) • SHIP — free, unbiased Medicare counseling in every state: shiphelp.org • Medicare Plan Finder: medicare.gov/plan-compare • 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) CHAPTERS 0:00 Walmart and Costco want your Medicare 0:56 The one rule to know first (Medigap) 1:26 How people get trapped 2:22 Trial rights: your 12-month safety net 3:15 What Walmart announced 4:19 Costco's version 5:07 Who is SCAN? 5:50 Why stores want in: follow the money 7:00 They'd know what you buy 8:27 Prior authorization: the real numbers 9:26 How to appeal (and the 72-hour fast appeal) 10:09 If your rehab is cut off 10:45 Questions to ask a store-brand plan 11:22 October scam calls 11:48 4 checks before you switch 13:36 Everything on one card SOURCES Walmart newsroom — "Walmart and SCAN to Launch Co-Branded Medicare Advantage Plan" (September 16, 2026) Rise Health — SCAN, Costco and Walmart: retail returns to Medicare Advantage KFF — Medicare Advantage in 2026: Enrollment Update and Key Trends KFF — Medicare Advantage Insurers Made Nearly 53 Million Prior Authorization Determinations in 2024 KFF — Medigap Enrollment and Consumer Protections Vary Across States Medicare.gov — Medigap open enrollment, trial rights, guaranteed issue rights, and appeals ABOUT THIS CHANNEL Every video is researched from official sources and the reporting listed above. This channel is not affiliated with Medicare, Social Security, Walmart, Costco, SCAN or any insurance company, and does not sell insurance. General information only, not advice for your personal situation.