Timing & changes
Your yearly Medicare review, without the overwhelm
A familiar plan can change. So can your doctors, prescriptions, and priorities. A review helps you check the fit. You do not have to switch.
Read your Annual Notice of Change, update your care list, and compare next year’s coverage before deciding whether to stay or change.
Start with the notice, not the advertisement
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans send an Annual Notice of Change in September explaining changes taking effect in January. Mark changes that affect your care. If the notice is missing, contact your plan.
Build a picture of your year
Write down your doctors, preferred hospital, prescriptions, pharmacy, and travel plans. Add what worked well this year and what was frustrating. That keeps the conversation focused on your life.
Compare the whole cost
Look beyond premiums to deductibles, visit costs, drug costs, and applicable out of pocket limits. Confirm provider participation and drug coverage for the coming year. A familiar company name does not establish that the exact plan still fits.
Know which window applies
October 15 to December 7 is the annual window for Medicare Advantage and drug coverage changes, generally effective January 1. It does not create an annual guaranteed right to buy Medigap. Other enrollment periods have different rules.
Keep a record of the decision
Save the exact plan name, plan year, important confirmations, and effective dates. If you stay, keep the materials that helped you decide. If you change, verify enrollment before assuming new coverage has begun.
Make it useful
Your next step checklist
Use this here, or print it for your next conversation. Your checks stay on this page only.