FOR PEOPLE ALREADY ON MEDICARE

Annual Medicare review checklist

Review your coverage each fall—even if you do not plan to change it.

Medicare Open Enrollment (AEP): October 15–December 7.
Review or change Medicare Advantage or drug coverage, including switching between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Changes start January 1 of the next year; the plan must get your enrollment request by December 7. This is not a Part A/Part B sign-up period or a Medigap open enrollment period.

• Read next year’s changes.

  If you have a Medicare plan, review its Annual Notice of Change and coverage documents. If the notice is missing, contact your plan.

• Check doctors and hospitals.

  Confirm next year’s network participation with the plan and providers. With Original Medicare, ask whether they accept Medicare.

• Check prescriptions.

  List each medicine, dose and frequency. Check the drug list, restrictions and estimated costs for next year.

• Check pharmacies.

  Compare costs at the pharmacies you use. Check network status, preferred pricing and any mail-order options.

• Compare total costs.

  Look beyond the premium: review deductibles, copays, coinsurance and estimated yearly out-of-pocket costs.

• Review before deciding.

  Use Medicare.gov/plan-compare. Before changing employer, retiree or Medigap coverage, check the consequences; Medigap purchase rights may be limited. You do not have to change plans just because you review them.

Medicare: 1-800-633-4227 • TTY 1-877-486-2048.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except some federal holidays.