Common Medicare Mistakes to Avoid This AEP: Sano on WJRT
Every fall, millions of Medicare recipients get a short window to change their coverage, and just as many end up sticking with the wrong plan simply because they didn’t know what to look for.
That’s the reality Sano’s Senior Health Advisor Marlayna West unpacked in her recent interview with WJRT. From small oversights to bigger missteps, she walked through the mistakes that tend to catch people off guard year after year, and how to steer clear of them this time around.
What Is AEP, and Why Does It Matter?
Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15th through December 7th each year. During this window, you can switch plans, change your coverage, or update your prescription drug plan for the year ahead. Any changes you make take effect January 1st.
Outside of AEP, your options to make changes are much more limited, which is exactly why this window matters so much, and why mistakes made now can stick with you for the rest of the year.
Mistake #1: Assuming Your Plan Hasn’t Changed
Even if you’re happy with your current coverage, your plan can change year to year, sometimes significantly. Costs, covered providers, and prescription drug formularies can all shift. Not reviewing your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter is one of the most common mistakes people make, because what worked last year may not be the best fit going forward.
Mistake #2: Overlooking Prescription Drug Coverage
Many people focus on premiums and doctor networks but forget to check whether their prescriptions are still covered, and at what cost. A plan that looked affordable last year could come with a much higher price tag for the same medications this year if the formulary has changed.
Mistake #3: Not Checking If Your Doctors Are Still In-Network
Provider networks can change from one year to the next. Sticking with a plan out of habit, without confirming your doctors and specialists are still covered, can lead to unexpected bills or having to switch providers mid-year.
Mistake #4: Missing the Enrollment Window
AEP has a firm deadline. Missing it means waiting until the next enrollment period to make changes, unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Marking your calendar and reviewing your options early can help you avoid feeling rushed into a decision, or missing the window altogether.
Mistake #5: Going It Alone
Medicare has a lot of moving parts, plan types, coverage details, costs, that can be difficult to sort through on your own. Many people make decisions based on advertisements or assumptions rather than a full picture of their options, which can lead to choosing a plan that doesn’t actually fit their needs.
How Sano Can Help
At Sano, we believe understanding your Medicare options shouldn’t feel confusing. We take the time to explain things clearly, so you can move forward with confidence, whether that means staying on your current plan or making a change.
Not sure where to start? We’re here to help, at no cost.