Annual Enrollment Is Open: What to Do Before December 7
Every year from October 15 to December 7, Medicare lets you review your coverage and make changes for the year ahead. Anything you change takes effect on January 1. If you are happy with your plan you can leave it alone, but plans change every year, so a quick check is worth your time.
Why look again every year
Plans can and do change their benefits every year. Their list of covered drugs will be changing every year now that Medicare can negotiate prices (kind of), the doctors and hospitals in their network, and their benefits. Your own health, prescriptions, and doctors may have changed too. Your plan sends an Annual Notice of Change letter each fall that spells out what is different for next year, so start there. I'm always here to answer questions.
A short checklist
Read your Annual Notice of Change from your plan.
List your prescriptions, doctors and pharmacy, and let me know if things have changed. We can then compare what you will pay: premiums, copays, Part D deductibles, and the yearly maximum-out-of-pocket limit (MOOP) to other carriers products. (That's my job!)
Think about the extras you actually use, such as dental, vision, and hearing and if that is important. Many plans changed their coverage for the extras a lot this year.
Decide whether to stay with your plan or switch plans. If you are thinking about original Medicare, Remember you will need to pass underwriting unless your plan was not renewed for 2027. (Once again, I can help!)
If you are on a Medicare Supplement and your premiums have increased, is this the year you move to Medicare Advantage?
What you can do during enrollment
You can join, drop, or switch a Medicare Advantage plan, move between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan, and join, switch, or drop a Medicare drug plan. Your plan has to receive your request by December 7.
We are local, and meeting with us costs you nothing
Your Medicare Store has licensed agents across Arizona. We listen to what matters to you, look at your doctors and prescriptions, and walk through your options in plain English. Book time with us or call 602-770-3714.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 13 organizations which offer 76 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 711) to get information on all of your options. Your Medicare Store is a DBA for CPT Insurance, LLC, a licensed insurance agency, and is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
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