Helping someone manage care and finances means keeping up with changes that can affect everyday life. A different insurance network, an updated benefit payment or a question about home-care records can create new responsibilities, and paperwork.
Three recent developments deserve attention as Minnesota families prepare for 2027. Here is what changed, why it matters and what you can do next.
1. Medicare open enrollment deserves particular attention this fall
Medicare open enrollment runs October 15–December 7, 2026. Changes made during this period generally take effect January 1, 2027. CMS encourages beneficiaries to review their plan’s Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage before deciding whether their coverage still meets their needs.
Minnesota Aging Pathways reports that close to 400,000 Minnesotans will be affected by insurers leaving Minnesota or specific counties. Other changes include premiums, cost sharing, prescription coverage and provider networks. This figure describes people affected by insurer departures; it does not mean everyone affected will become uninsured.
For families, the practical concern is continuity: Will the person still have access to the medications, doctors and services they rely on?
Your Medicare review checklist
Gather the person’s current plan documents, medication list and care information. Then review:
- Plan availability: Will the current plan serve their county in 2027?
- Prescriptions: Are medications covered, and are there coverage restrictions?
- Pharmacies: Is the preferred pharmacy in network?
- Providers: Confirm participation with the plan and the provider’s office.
- Costs: Compare premiums, deductibles, copayments and estimated annual expenses.
- Notices: Read the Annual Notice of Change and any plan termination letter carefully.
Minnesota Aging Pathways offers free, impartial Medicare counseling at 800-333-2433. You can also compare options through Medicare Plan Finder. If a plan is ending, ask a counselor about the person’s specific deadlines and coverage options.
POA Caregiver practice tip: Keep a dated note of comparisons, questions and decisions. For any authorized enrollment action, save the confirmation number, application copy and effective date. Before acting for someone else, confirm what authority and documentation the plan requires.
2. Social Security and SSI increases call for a fresh budget review
On October 14, SSA announced a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment for 2027. Social Security increases begin in January 2027; increased SSI payments begin December 31, 2026. The estimated average retirement benefit increase is approximately $75 per month, although individual amounts vary.
SSA’s 2027 fact sheet lists these federal SSI figures:
- Maximum monthly federal SSI payment, individual: $1,029
- Maximum monthly federal SSI payment, eligible couple: $1,544
- SSI countable resource limit, individual: $2,000
- SSI countable resource limit, couple: $3,000
The SSI resource limits remain unchanged. The maximum federal payment is not necessarily the amount a particular person receives.
Update records using the person’s actual notice
When the benefit notice arrives, record the new gross benefit, deductions and expected deposit. SSA says personalized COLA notices will show individual benefit amounts and deductions.
Use that information to review the household budget, income ledger and scheduled payments. If the person receives needs-based assistance or contributes income toward facility care, ask the responsible agency or facility whether an adjustment is needed before changing transfers.
A larger benefit does not automatically mean the full increase is available for discretionary spending.
Remember: Power of Attorney and representative payee are separate roles
Holding Power of Attorney does not make you an SSA representative payee. SSA requires its own application and appointment when someone needs a payee to manage Social Security or SSI benefits.
If you are helping a person who can no longer manage those benefits, contact SSA about the appropriate process. Our guide to Power of Attorney and Social Security explains the difference in more detail.
3. New home-care documentation notices may prompt questions from providers
Minnesota DHS has introduced quarterly electronic visit verification, or EVV, provider notices. The first was sent October 14, with the announcement published October 15, 2026. Providers required to use EVV receive the notices in the PRVLTR folder of their MN–ITS mailbox.
The first notice covers compliance reviews, system enhancements, monitoring, training, manual edits and signatures. This is a provider communication update, rather than a new reporting requirement for every family caregiver.
For families using EVV-covered services, the practical takeaway is to ask clear questions when visit records do not match what occurred.
If a visit record appears incorrect
- Note the service date, expected visit and discrepancy.
- Contact the provider or responsible program administrator.
- Ask how legitimate corrections should be documented.
- Keep relevant correspondence and original information.
- Understand what a signature confirms before signing.
POA Caregiver practice tip: Document what you personally know. Request correction through the proper process, and avoid approving information you cannot verify. A financial Power of Attorney or Health Care Agent role does not, by itself, establish responsibility for a provider’s billing system.
Turn these updates into one organized annual review
Set aside time this fall to create a secure “2027 Benefits and Coverage” section in the person’s records. Include insurance notices, benefit letters, questions, contact notes and confirmations.
Start with the person’s preferences and involve them in decisions as much as possible. If you are acting as an agent, check your documents, applicable requirements and the organization’s authorization process before taking action.
Free resources from POA Caregiver
Visit the POA Caregiver Resources page for:
- Financial Recordkeeping Pack: A starting point for organizing financial records.
- Understanding Your POA Document: Educational guidance for reviewing your document.
- Talking to Banks & Institutions: Help preparing for institutional conversations.
- Document Checklist Builder: A tool for identifying records to gather.
Start with a free resource. For more focused tools and deeper education, explore the National Workbook Kits and The POA Caregiver Program.
Learn. Prepare. Navigate.
Official sources and assistance
- Minnesota Aging Pathways: Medicare Open Enrollment. Medicare counseling: 800-333-2433
- CMS: Medicare Open Enrollment
- SSA: 2027 Benefit Increase Announcement
- SSA: 2027 COLA Fact Sheet
- SSA: Representative Payee FAQs
- Minnesota DHS: Provider News and Updates
Common questions
When is Medicare open enrollment for 2027 coverage?
Medicare open enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026. Changes made during this period generally take effect January 1, 2027.
How much is the 2027 Social Security increase?
SSA announced a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment for 2027. Social Security increases begin in January 2027, and increased SSI payments begin December 31, 2026. The estimated average retirement benefit increase is about $75 per month; individual amounts vary.
Does holding Power of Attorney make me a Social Security representative payee?
No. Power of Attorney and representative payee are separate roles. SSA requires its own application and appointment when someone needs a payee to manage Social Security or SSI benefits.
Information reviewed October 19, 2026. This article provides education, not individualized legal, insurance, financial or benefits advice. Confirm current requirements and personal circumstances with the responsible agency or qualified professional.