Your Medicare Review, Made Simple
Open enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. Here is a calm, step-by-step way to check your coverage.
Prefer to watch? Here is the video version (large print, no sound needed). Watch on YouTube
Every fall the mailbox fills up with Medicare envelopes, and the TV fills up with ads. It’s easy to toss it all in a pile and hope for the best. I understand the temptation. But an hour or two of review each fall can save money and headaches next year.
I’m not a Medicare advisor, and I won’t recommend plans. What I can do is give you a simple way to work through it, and point you to free, unbiased help.
The dates to know
- October 15 to December 7: Medicare open enrollment. You can change your Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan, or switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
- January 1: changes you make take effect.
- January 1 to March 31: if you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get one more chance to switch plans or go back to Original Medicare.
Step 1: Read the letter your plan already sent
If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, it mails an "Annual Notice of Change" each fall. It lists what changes next year: premiums, copays, which drugs are covered and which pharmacies are in network. Look for it before you compare anything else.
Step 2: Make your lists
- Every medicine you take, with the dose
- Your doctors and the pharmacy you use
- Anything coming up next year: a planned surgery, a new specialist, travel
My free Medication List printable makes this part easier.
Step 3: Compare plans at Medicare.gov
The official plan finder at Medicare.gov lets you enter your drugs and pharmacy and compare estimated yearly costs. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Try this today
- Find your plan’s Annual Notice of Change this week.
- Circle anything that affects you: premium, drug coverage, doctors, pharmacy.
- Write down your questions before you call anyone.
Step 4: Get free, unbiased help
Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP. SHIP counselors give free, one-on-one Medicare help, and they don’t sell insurance. Find yours at shiphelp.org or through the Eldercare Locator.
A word about calls and ads
Medicare will not call you out of the blue to sell you a plan, and it will never ask for your Medicare number over an unexpected call. If someone pressures you, hang up. You can report suspected fraud at 1-800-MEDICARE.
This post is general information, not insurance, legal or financial advice. For advice about your own coverage, talk with a SHIP counselor or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
More trusted, free help is on the Resources page.