⭐ Medicare’s Gold Stars, the Senior Flu Shot, and Steady Feet for a Gusty Homecoming Weekend

Or: Open Enrollment Week One: What the 2027 Star Ratings Mean, Which Flu Shot to Ask for at 65-Plus, and Where to Find Free Care After the RAM Clinic

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Friday, October 16, 2026

Good morning, neighbor. It is homecoming Friday in Dunlap. The parade is this morning, the football game is tonight, and a cold front is pushing in behind it all. By Saturday night we may be near 38 degrees.

Medicare Open Enrollment is in its second day, and it runs through Monday, Dec. 7. This week we have covered plan letters, drug costs, sales-call rules and Medigap. This morning we take up new ground: those little gold stars on Medicare’s plan website, the flu shot made for people 65 and older, and how to stay steady on your feet at the curb. We finish with last notes for the free RAM clinic, a free clinic close to home that is open all year, and a short calendar through next Friday.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Medicare stars: The 2027 plan ratings are posted on Medicare’s Plan Compare. They are one helpful clue. They don’t replace checking your doctors, drugs and pharmacy.
• Tuesday, Oct. 20, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.: Free flu shots at the Sequatchie County Health Department. If you are 65 or older, CDC prefers a high-dose, adjuvanted or recombinant flu shot. Ask which one they have.
• Homecoming today: High near 80, wind turning north this afternoon with gusts to 20 mph. Tonight about 45, gusts to 30.
• RAM clinic, Sat.–Sun.: Free dental, vision and medical care in Chattanooga. The lot opens by 10:59 p.m. tonight, our Central time.
• Cold nights: About 38 Saturday night and 39 Sunday night.

📝 Jot This Down

1. Flu shot words to say Tuesday: “I’m 65 or older. Do you have the high-dose, adjuvanted or recombinant flu shot?” If they don’t, CDC says take the regular shot instead of waiting.
2. The 5-star rule: If a 5-star Medicare plan is offered where you live, you can switch into it once, between Dec. 8 and Nov. 30 of the next year. Ask SHIP first: 1-877-801-0044.
3. Free care close to home: Lone Oak Free Health Clinic, Mondays 6–8 p.m. and Thursdays 9–11 a.m. Eastern time (5–7 p.m. and 8–10 a.m. our time). No appointment needed. 423-886-4040.

🏈 Parade Morning, Gusty Afternoon: Keep Steady Feet at the Curb

The homecoming parade is listed for 9:30 a.m. in Dunlap.Today and the library’s weekly post, while the library’s calendar still shows 9 a.m. Being at the curb by about 9 covers both. The game against Community kicks off at 7 p.m.

The National Weather Service forecast for Dunlap, updated at 1:26 a.m., calls for increasing clouds and a high near 80. The wind turns to the north this afternoon with gusts up to 20 mph. Tonight is mostly cloudy with a low around 45 and gusts up to 30 mph. So the parade will feel like summer and the bleachers may feel like November.

Crowds, curbs and stadium steps are where many of us take a tumble. The CDC says more than one out of four people 65 and older fall each year, but less than half tell their doctor. Falling once doubles your chance of falling again.

• Bring a folding chair to the parade instead of standing for an hour.
• Wear your steadiest shoes. The CDC lists foot pain and poor footwear as fall risks.
• Use the handrail at the stadium, and let the crowd go first after the game.
• Bring a flashlight for the parking lot tonight, and a jacket for the drop to 45.
• Sweep the leaves off your own porch steps this weekend. The wind will bring plenty down. The CDC counts broken or uneven steps and clutter among the home hazards that lead to falls.
• Ask about your medicines. CDC says sedatives, tranquilizers, some antidepressants and even some over-the-counter medicines can affect balance. Ask your pharmacist. Don’t stop a medicine on your own.

A gentle way to build strength: The Sequatchie County Public Library, 227 Cherry St., holds Chair Dancing for adults at 1 p.m. today and again Monday, Wednesday and next Friday. No sign-up is required. The library asks new dancers to arrive a little early.

What it means for you: If you do fall and hit your head, especially if you take a blood thinner, CDC says to see your doctor right away. And if you have fallen this year, tell your doctor at your next visit, even if you weren’t hurt.

👉 Read more (CDC: Facts about older adult falls) · Library calendar · NWS forecast for Dunlap

⭐ The 2027 Medicare Star Ratings Are Posted: How to Read Them

When you look at plans on Medicare’s Plan Compare website, each Medicare Advantage and drug plan has a rating from one to five stars. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted the 2027 ratings on Oct. 8, in time for this Open Enrollment. The stars are built from dozens of quality and member-experience measures.

A few numbers from the national release:

• CMS counted 508 Medicare Advantage contracts with drug coverage. Their average was 3.99 stars, a hair below last year’s 4.01, as reported by Fierce Healthcare.
• Only about 37% of those contracts earned four stars or more, down from about 44% last year. But about 71% of members are in plans with four stars or better.
• Fifteen contracts earned five stars, according to Fierce Healthcare.
• For stand-alone drug plans (Part D), CMS says about 27%, or 11 contracts, earned four or more stars.

Two little-known rules tied to the stars, from Medicare’s own Special Enrollment Periods page:

• The 5-star switch. If a Medicare Advantage plan, drug plan or Cost plan with a 5-star rating is available where you live, you can switch into it once between Dec. 8 and Nov. 30 of the following year. Be careful: Medicare warns that moving to a 5-star plan without drug coverage could leave you without drug coverage and facing a late penalty.
• The low-performer warning. If your plan has had fewer than three stars for the last three years, you can switch to another Medicare Advantage or drug plan any time you are in it.

If you get Extra Help or have Medicaid, Medicare says you can change your drug coverage once a calendar month, with the change starting the first day of the next month. (A few people in a drug-safety program are not eligible; your plan would have sent you a letter.)

What it means for you: Think of stars like the reviews on a feed store. They tell you how other folks were treated. They don’t tell you whether the store carries what you need. Look up your own doctors, every medicine you take and your usual pharmacy first. Then let the stars break a tie. This is general information, not plan advice.

👉 Read more (CMS: 2027 Star Ratings) · Medicare: Special Enrollment Periods · Medicare Plan Compare

💉 Tuesday’s Free Flu Shot: Ask for the 65-Plus Kind

The Sequatchie County Health Department is giving free flu shots Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 16939 Rankin Ave., behind the Erlanger Sequatchie Valley emergency center. It is part of the state’s Fight Flu effort.

Here is the part many folks don’t know. For people 65 and older, the CDC and its vaccine advisers prefer one of three flu vaccines made to give older bodies a stronger response:

• High-dose (Fluzone High-Dose)
• Adjuvanted (Fluad), which has an added ingredient to help the body respond
• Recombinant (Flublok)

The CDC says that if none of those three is available when you are there, you should get the regular flu shot rather than wait. People 65 and older should not get the nasal spray. The CDC also says all three parts of this season’s flu vaccine were updated from last year.

The Health Department notice did not say which flu vaccines will be on hand Tuesday. So call ahead and ask: 423-949-3619. You can also find other free shot sites for Oct. 20 on the Fight Flu TN map.

Thinking about a COVID shot, too? Medicare says Part B covers COVID-19 vaccines, and you pay nothing if the provider accepts assignment. Bring your red, white and blue Medicare card. CVS says this season’s 2026–2027 COVID shots are available at its Tennessee stores without a prescription. For adults 65 and older, the CDC calls it an individual decision, so talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist. Call your own pharmacy first to ask what it has.

What it means for you: Getting a flu shot is the main thing. Asking for the 65-plus kind is the bonus. Tell the nurse or pharmacist about any allergies or past reactions.

👉 Read more (CDC: Flu and people 65 and older) · Dunlap Tribune: free flu shots · Medicare: COVID-19 vaccine coverage

🦷 Free RAM Clinic Starts Tomorrow: Last Practical Notes

As of about 6 a.m. today, Remote Area Medical’s page still lists its free clinic for Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17–18, at Notre Dame High School, 2701 Vermont Ave., Chattanooga. Dental (cleanings, fillings, extractions), vision (eye exams and glasses) and basic medical exams. No ID, insurance or income proof needed. No dentures at this clinic.

• Mind the time change. Chattanooga runs on Eastern time. The lot opens no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern tonight, which is 10:59 p.m. our time. Doors open at 6 a.m. Eastern (5 a.m. Central) Saturday.
• Pick one: RAM says dental and vision are limited and may fill early, and you choose between dental or vision. Medical services are offered to every patient.
• Stay with your car. You must be there to get a ticket. If you leave and come back, RAM says you go to the end of the line. There is no indoor or heated waiting area. Bathrooms are available.
• Pack for the cold: tonight about 45 with gusts to 30 mph, and Saturday only near 60. Blankets, coat, hat, gloves, water, snacks, a phone charger and all your medicines.
• Check before you go: RAM offers optional text alerts on its page for delays or capacity. Questions: 865-579-1530, answered weekdays 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., so today is the day to call.

What it means for you: Go with a friend, take turns warming up in the car, and don’t be shy about asking a volunteer for help if you feel chilled or light-headed.

👉 Read more (RAM: Chattanooga clinic) · Chattanoogan: RAM at Notre Dame Oct. 17–18

🩺 After RAM: A Free Clinic Close to Home, All Year

RAM comes once a year. Some needs don’t wait. The Lone Oak Free Health Clinic, inside the Lone Oak Community Center in Sequatchie County, has been serving neighbors since 1992. The clinic keeps Eastern (Chattanooga) time.

• Hours: Mondays 6–8 p.m. Eastern (5–7 p.m. Central) and Thursdays 9–11 a.m. Eastern (8–10 a.m. Central). No appointment needed.
• Who: Free basic care for people in surrounding counties who are uninsured or low-income, from a volunteer nurse practitioner.
• What: Colds, bronchitis, ear infections, minor injuries and bites; checking blood pressure and diabetes; medication refills; simple tests like blood sugar, A1c and cholesterol. Walkers, crutches and shower chairs when they have them.
• Not offered: Pain management or mental health treatment.
• Free dental: One Friday a month, from a waiting list. Mostly fillings and extractions. No dentures or partials.
• Call: 423-886-4040. Leave your name and a phone number with a voicemail box that has room for a message.

Also good to know: UTC’s free MobileMOC clinic has no Sequatchie, Marion or Bledsoe stop listed for the coming week, and its November calendar says “coming soon.” Questions: 423-425-1657. Need a ride to the doctor? SETHRA’s local line is 423-949-2191.

What it means for you: If RAM fills up before your turn, you still have a door to knock on close to home. Write the Lone Oak number on the fridge.

👉 Read more (Lone Oak Free Health and Dental Clinics) · MobileMOC calendar · UTC: Sequatchie County resource guide

🗒️ Still On, in Brief

• Tue., Oct. 20, 10 a.m.: “Let’s Talk Medicare,” Sequatchie County Public Library. No sign-up required, but registering helps: 423-949-2357. The library notes the talk is educational and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the government or the federal Medicare program.
• Wed., Oct. 21, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Eastern: Mobile mammograms, Morning Pointe of Hixson, 5501 Old Hixson Pike. Appointment required: 423-495-4040.
• Wed., Oct. 21, 4 p.m. Eastern: Caregiver support group, The Lantern at Morning Pointe East Hamilton. Call ahead: 423-973-0003.
• Sun., Oct. 18 – Sat., Oct. 24: National Pharmacy Week. A good week to ask your drug plan or pharmacist about a free medication review.
• The $90 rebate: No new word since Thursday. CMS says Social Security’s status line is 1-800-772-1213; eligibility questions go to 1-800-MEDICARE.
• 2027 Part B premium: Still not announced. In the last nine years, CMS released it between late September and mid-November.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Let’s Talk Medicare) · Chattanoogan: mobile mammography · Chattanoogan: The Lantern caregiver support

📅 Your Health Week on One Page (Fri., Oct. 16 – Fri., Oct. 23)

• Fri., Oct. 16: Homecoming parade (curb by about 9). Chair Dancing, library, 1 p.m. Near 80, north wind gusts to 20. Game at 7 p.m.; low about 45, gusts to 30. RAM lot opens by 10:59 p.m. Central.
• Sat., Oct. 17: RAM doors open 5 a.m. Central. High only near 60, gusts to 25. Low about 38: heat on, and check on a neighbor.
• Sun., Oct. 18: RAM, second day. National Pharmacy Week begins. Sunny, near 66; low about 39.
• Mon., Oct. 19: Chair Dancing, 1 p.m. Lone Oak clinic, 5–7 p.m. Central. Sunny, near 69. A good day to call SHIP, 1-877-801-0044.
• Tue., Oct. 20: Free flu shots, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Health Department (ask for the 65-plus kind). “Let’s Talk Medicare,” 10 a.m., library. Sunny, near 74.
• Wed., Oct. 21: Mobile mammograms, Hixson (appointment). Chair Dancing, 1 p.m. Caregiver group, The Lantern, 4 p.m. Eastern (call ahead). Sunny, near 76.
• Thu., Oct. 22: Library closed (Thursdays). Lone Oak clinic, 8–10 a.m. Central. Sunny, near 77.
• Fri., Oct. 23: Chair Dancing, 1 p.m. Open Enrollment continues: about six and a half weeks to go.

Looking a little further ahead: DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Sat., Oct. 24, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. · Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Chattanooga, Sat., Nov. 7 · 2027 Part B premium expected this fall · Open Enrollment ends Mon., Dec. 7.

✅ Your Front-Porch Health Checklist

• ✅ Take a folding chair and your steadiest shoes to the parade, and use the handrail at the game.
• ✅ Sweep leaves off the porch steps and put a light where you walk at night.
• ✅ Fallen this year? Tell your doctor, even if you weren’t hurt.
• ✅ Try Chair Dancing at the library, 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday or Friday.
• ✅ On Plan Compare, check your doctors, drugs and pharmacy first, then look at the stars.
• ✅ Thinking about a 5-star plan switch? Call SHIP at 1-877-801-0044 before you move.
• ✅ Call the Health Department (423-949-3619) to ask which flu shots they will have Tuesday.
• ✅ At 65-plus, ask for a high-dose, adjuvanted or recombinant flu shot. If none, take the regular one.
• ✅ Going to RAM? Pack for a 45-degree, windy night, and remember the lot opens by 10:59 p.m. our time.
• ✅ Put the Lone Oak Free Health Clinic number, 423-886-4040, on the fridge.
• ✅ Bookmark Dunlap.Today for the next calm health roundup.

Practical rule: Stars help you choose, the right flu shot helps you stay well, and a handrail helps you stay standing. Use all three this week.

This article is general information, not medical, legal or insurance advice. Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, Medicare or a SHIP counselor about what is right for you. In an emergency, call 911.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Health Glossary

• Star Ratings: Medicare’s one-to-five-star scores for Medicare Advantage and drug plans, based on quality, member experience and service.
• Plan Compare: Medicare’s website for comparing plans, at Medicare.gov/plan-compare.
• 5-star Special Enrollment Period: A once-a-year chance, from Dec. 8 to Nov. 30, to switch into a 5-star plan if one is offered where you live.
• Low-performing plan: A plan rated below three stars for three years in a row. Members can switch any time.
• Extra Help: A Medicare program that helps people with limited income and resources pay for drug coverage.
• High-dose flu vaccine: A flu shot for people 65 and older with a stronger dose.
• Adjuvanted flu vaccine: A flu shot for people 65 and older with an added ingredient that helps the body respond.
• Recombinant flu vaccine: A flu shot made without growing the virus in eggs, one of the three preferred for 65-plus.
• Accepts assignment: A provider agrees to take Medicare’s approved amount as full payment.
• Eastern vs. Central time: Chattanooga is one hour ahead of Dunlap. 6 a.m. in Chattanooga is 5 a.m. here.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Should I pick my Medicare plan by the stars alone?

No. Stars show how a plan has performed for other members. First make sure your doctors are in the network, your medicines are covered and your pharmacy works with the plan. Then use the stars to compare plans that fit.

Is there a 5-star plan in Sequatchie County?

That depends on what plans are offered at your address. Type your ZIP code into Medicare.gov/plan-compare, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or ask TN SHIP at 1-877-801-0044. Fierce Healthcare reports only 15 contracts earned five stars nationwide for 2027, so many areas won’t have one.

What if the Health Department doesn’t have the high-dose flu shot Tuesday?

CDC says to get another flu vaccine approved for your age rather than wait. A regular flu shot is far better than no flu shot. Your pharmacist or doctor may also have one of the preferred kinds.

Can I get my flu and COVID shots the same day?

Ask your doctor or pharmacist. Medicare covers both shots, but what is right for you depends on your health.

What if RAM is full when I get there?

RAM says once capacity is reached, no more patients are admitted, and closing times can change. For basic care close to home, the Lone Oak Free Health Clinic sees uninsured and low-income patients Mondays and Thursdays with no appointment: 423-886-4040.

Do I need to sign up for Chair Dancing?

No. The library says no sign-up is required. New dancers should come a little early. If you have balance or heart concerns, check with your doctor about what activity is right for you.

🔗 Other Resources

• Dunlap.Today
• Dunlap.Directory: find local pharmacies, clinics and services
• Medicare Plan Compare, 1-800-633-4227
• TN SHIP, 1-877-801-0044 · TN SMP, 1-866-836-7677
• Medicare: Special Enrollment Periods
• CDC: Flu and people 65 and older
• Fight Flu TN · Sequatchie County Health Department, 423-949-3619
• CDC: Older adult falls
• Sequatchie County Public Library, 423-949-2357
• RAM Chattanooga clinic, 865-579-1530
• Lone Oak Free Health and Dental Clinics, 423-886-4040
• DEA Take Back Day (Oct. 24)

☕ Stars, Shots and a Steady Step

This weekend has a little of everything: a parade in the sunshine, a chilly ballgame, a free clinic down the mountain and the first cold nights of fall. Take a chair to the curb. Hold the handrail. Let the stars on Plan Compare break a tie, not make the choice for you. And on Tuesday, roll up your sleeve and ask for the 65-plus flu shot. That is a good, steady health week in the Valley.

We’ll keep watching Medicare, the clinics and the senior calendar for you. Read Dunlap.Today for calm, plain-English Sequatchie Valley news, and send us the church, club and community health notes we ought to share.