Navigating the Annual Enrollment Period.
Open Enrollment Begins in
30 Days
Open Enrollment Begins in 30 Days
Our Medicare team is
here to support you.
Annual Medicare Review For individuals and
families under 65.
Annual Under 65 Health Insurance Review Many people schedule a review with us because they:
Started a New
Changed
DoctorsExperienced Higher
Healthcare CostsMoved to a
New AreaWant Additional
Dental CoverageWant Hearing or
Vision BenefitsNeed Help
Understanding Medicare
OptionsWant to Reduce Out-of-
Pocket Expenses
Your Annual Open
Enrollment (AEP)
Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you're prepared to review your Medicare coverage and make informed decisions for the upcoming year.
Before reviewing your coverage, collect:
- Medicare Card
- Current Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plan, and/or Medicare Supplement ID Cards
- Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) from your current plan
- List of current prescription medications
- Preferred pharmacy information
- List of doctors, specialists, and hospitals you use
- Notes regarding upcoming medical procedures or healthcare needs
Read your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) carefully and check for:
- Monthly premium changes
- Deductible changes
- Copay or coinsurance changes
- Maximum out-of-pocket cost increases
- Prescription drug coverage changes
- Provider network changes
- Additional benefit changes (dental, vision, hearing, fitness, etc.)
Ask yourself:
- Have I started any new medications?
- Have I stopped taking any medications?
- Have my healthcare costs increased this year?
- Am I seeing new doctors or specialists?
- Do I anticipate surgeries or major medical expenses next year?
- Have I moved or plan to move?
- Am I satisfied with my current coverage?
Confirm that your preferred providers remain covered:
- Primary Care Physician
- Specialists
- Preferred Hospital System
- Urgent Care Facilities
- Physical Therapy Providers
- Other Healthcare Providers
Check each medication for:
- Formulary coverage
- Tier placement
- Prior authorization requirements
- Quantity limits
- Step therapy requirements
- Preferred pharmacy pricing
- Estimated annual drug costs
Determine whether your current plan meets your needs for:
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Hearing Coverage
- Over-the-Counter (OTC) Benefits
- Cancer Rider
- Hospital Indemnity
- Short-term Care Rider
Meet with a licensed Medicare advisor to:
- Review current coverage
- Compare available plans
- Confirm doctor participation
- Review prescription drug costs
- Identify potential savings
- Discuss retirement healthcare planning
Before December 7:
- Confirm selected plan
- Complete enrollment application
- Verify effective date (January 1)
After enrollment:
- Watch for new insurance ID cards
- Review plan materials
- Confirm prescriptions transferred correctly
- Update providers with new insurance information
- Verify pharmacy information
- Schedule annual wellness appointments
Meet the team.
Deadlines and Important Dates
October 15
Open Enrollment Begins
December 7
Open Enrollment Ends
January 1
New Coverage Begins
Frequently Asked
Questions
The Annual Open Enrollment Period (AEP) is the time each year when people with Medicare can make changes to their Medicare health and prescription drug coverage.
AEP runs from October 15 through December 7.
Any changes you make during this period become effective on January 1 of the following year.
Medicare plans change every year, and your current plan may include updates to monthly premiums, deductibles, copays and coinsurance, prescription drug coverage, provider networks, additional benefits, and maximum out-of-pocket costs. A plan that worked well this year may not be the best option for the year ahead, so reviewing your coverage during Open Enrollment can help ensure you're still getting the best value for your needs.
During AEP, you can make several changes to your Medicare coverage. If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, move from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or leave your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. You can also make changes to your Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D) by joining a Part D plan, switching to a different Part D plan, or dropping your Part D coverage. If you're currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you also have the option to return to Original Medicare.
No. If your current plan still meets your needs, you can keep your existing coverage. However, reviewing your options annually can help ensure you're receiving the best value and coverage available.
If you don't make any changes during AEP, your Medicare Advantage plan and Part D prescription drug plan will typically renew automatically if they're still available. However, your plan's benefits, costs, and coverage may change for the upcoming year. Be sure to review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) to understand any updates and determine whether your current plan still meets your needs.
Reviewing your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) is one of the most important steps to take before Open Enrollment. Sent by your Medicare plan each fall, the ANOC outlines any changes that will take effect in the upcoming year, including updates to premiums, copays, prescription drug coverage, provider networks, and plan benefits. Reviewing these changes can help you decide whether your current plan still meets your healthcare needs.
Not necessarily. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans generally do not follow the same enrollment rules as Medicare Advantage or Part D plans. Depending on your state and circumstances, you may be required to answer health questions and qualify medically to change Medigap plans. We can help determine your options.
Provider networks can change from year to year, so it's important to verify that your preferred healthcare providers are included before enrolling in a new plan. Check whether your primary care physician, specialists, hospitals, and preferred pharmacy participate in the plan's network. If you need assistance, our team can help verify providers and network participation to ensure your coverage meets your needs.
Drug formularies can change each year, which means a medication that's covered this year may move to a different tier, require prior authorization, have new coverage restrictions, or no longer be covered at all. Reviewing your prescriptions before enrolling can help you avoid unexpected costs, and a comprehensive prescription review can help ensure your medications remain covered under your chosen plan.
To complete a Medicare review, it's helpful to have your Medicare card, current insurance cards, a list of your prescription medications, your preferred pharmacy information, a list of your doctors and specialists, and your most recent Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). Having these items ready allows for a more accurate review of your coverage and helps identify the plan that best fits your healthcare needs.
Most Medicare reviews take about 15–30 minutes for a basic review and 30–60 minutes for a comprehensive plan comparison. Reviews can be completed in person, by phone, or through a virtual meeting, making it easy to choose the option that's most convenient for you.
No. Our Medicare plan reviews and enrollment assistance services are provided at no cost to you. We help individuals evaluate available Medicare options and make informed decisions based on their healthcare needs and budget.
That's great! Even if you're happy with your current Medicare plan, a quick annual review can help confirm that your doctors are still in-network, your prescriptions remain covered, your costs are still competitive, and no new plans offer better value. Many Medicare beneficiaries discover savings or additional benefits they weren't aware of simply by reviewing their coverage each year.
Absolutely. We encourage spouses, caregivers, adult children, and trusted advisors to participate in Medicare discussions when appropriate.
Beginning in 2027, Medicare Part D beneficiaries will have a maximum annual out-of-pocket prescription drug cost of $2,400. Once you reach this limit on covered prescription medications, you will pay no additional out-of-pocket costs for covered Part D drugs for the remainder of the year.
