Key Takeaways

• Reviewing your Medicare coverage each year does not mean starting over. You can build on what already works and adjust areas that no longer meet your needs.

• The Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7 gives you the chance to refresh your strategy by focusing on changes in your health, costs, and coverage details.

Understanding Your Starting Point

Before you make updates during the Annual Enrollment Period for 2026, it helps to understand your current plan and how it supported you throughout the year. This approach prevents you from feeling like you must evaluate everything from scratch. Instead, you can focus on specific areas that may need improvement.

What Should You Review From The Past Year?

Your starting point should be the parts of your plan that had the biggest impact on your day to day health needs. Go through them one by one so you know exactly what worked well and what may need adjustment.

• Did your plan cover your routine medical needs reliably?

• Were there any services you expected to be covered but were not?

• Did you experience increases in your out of pocket spending that surprised you?

• How many times did you visit your doctor or specialists?

• Were there delays in receiving care because of network limitations or authorization requirements?

These questions help you understand whether your current plan still aligns with your health and financial needs.

Identifying What Changed Since Last AEP

Your health, medications, and financial situation can shift from year to year. Even small adjustments can influence which Medicare options may fit your needs better for 2026.

What Changes In Your Health Should Be Considered?

If your health needs have changed at any point during the year, those changes should guide your review process.

• New diagnoses or treatments

• Increased frequency of doctor visits

• Changes in your prescription list

• Need for additional therapy services

• New specialist requirements

Even one new medication or test can affect your future costs. Make sure your plan covers the care you expect to need next year.

What Financial Changes Matter Most?

Your financial situation may look different compared to last year. Changes in income may affect premiums or your ability to manage out of pocket costs.

• Did your income increase or decrease this year?

• Did your annual medical spending go up?

• Are you expecting higher healthcare expenses next year?

These shifts can influence how you choose between different Medicare options.

Reviewing The Annual Notice Of Change

Each fall, your plan sends an Annual Notice of Change. This document explains what is changing for the coming year. It is one of your most important tools for refreshing your Medicare strategy without starting from zero.

Why Is The Annual Notice Of Change Important?

It outlines updates that include:

• Adjustments to your premiums

• New deductibles for the coming year

• Changes in copayments and coinsurance amounts

• Coverage changes for prescriptions

• Updates to your plan’s provider network

This information helps you identify whether your current plan will still work well for you in 2026.

Focusing On Prescription Drug Updates

Changes to your medication list are one of the most common reasons beneficiaries revisit their Medicare coverage each year.

What Should You Look For In Drug Coverage?

• Any medications that were added or removed from your plan’s formulary

• Adjustments to medication tiers

• Changes in prior authorization or step therapy requirements

• Possible increases in your medication related costs

Because prescription needs often change gradually, many people feel they should switch plans entirely. Instead, you can focus on only the medications that matter most and verify they remain covered.

Considering Provider Network Adjustments

A plan’s provider network can change from year to year. A doctor you relied on this year may no longer participate next year.

How Can You Check Network Changes?

Use the updated provider directory for the 2026 plan year and confirm:

• Your primary doctor is still in network

• Your specialists remain available

• Your preferred hospitals are listed

• Any new providers you may need are included

This keeps you from choosing a plan that disrupts your care without warning.

Using A Step By Step Approach

If you refresh your Medicare strategy using a clear sequence, the entire process becomes manageable. You avoid starting over and instead build a clearer picture based on what matters most.

What Steps Should You Follow?

1. List the health services you used during the past 12 months.

2. Identify any new diagnoses or prescription changes.

3. Review your Annual Notice of Change for cost or coverage adjustments.

4. Check your prescription drug coverage for 2026.

5. Confirm provider participation for the year ahead.

6. Compare deductibles, copayments, and out of pocket limits.

7. Evaluate whether you expect more frequent medical needs next year.

Following this order ensures you refresh your strategy without doing unnecessary work.

Clarifying Your Coverage Goals For 2026

A refreshed Medicare strategy starts with clear goals. These help you stay focused during the Annual Enrollment Period.

What Goals Should You Consider Setting?

• Reducing yearly out of pocket costs

• Ensuring medication coverage stays stable

• Keeping access to your preferred doctors

• Improving coverage for services you expect to use more often

• Preparing for new health needs

Think about what would make your plan more reliable and easier to manage in 2026.

Verifying Out Of Pocket Costs

General healthcare costs may change from year to year, including deductibles and coinsurance. Stay aware of these updates as you review your coverage.

Which Costs Should You Review Closely?

• Annual deductibles

• Copayments for doctor visits

• Specialist visit costs

• Diagnostic testing expenses

• Out of pocket maximums

Cost awareness keeps your strategy grounded in realistic expectations.

Avoiding The Feeling Of Starting Over

When you follow a structured approach, you avoid the stress of reevaluating every detail from scratch.

How Can You Stay Organized During AEP?

• Keep your current plan documents in one place

• Use comparison charts or worksheets

• Focus on categories instead of individual details

• Review one section at a time

• Match your needs with your coverage goals

This approach ensures stability from year to year.

Strengthening Your Medicare Strategy

Refreshing your strategy each year helps you stay prepared for changing medical and financial needs. It also gives you greater control over your healthcare decisions.

What Benefits Come From Refreshing Your Strategy?

• Clear understanding of your plan’s strengths

• Better control over unexpected expenses

• Improved ability to make confident decisions

• More predictable healthcare planning for 2026

The goal is not to overhaul your Medicare choices, but to refine what already works.

Taking The Next Step Toward A Better Year

Refreshing your Medicare strategy each year ensures you move into the new year with confidence. Instead of rebuilding from the ground up, you can rely on the foundation you already have and update the areas that matter most. If you want help reviewing your options or need guidance during the Annual Enrollment Period, you can reach out to any of the licensed agents listed on this website for personalised support.