Key Takeaways
• Reviewing your Medicare coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period helps you stay aligned with changes to benefits, costs, and healthcare needs.
• A structured review process makes it easier to understand updates without overlooking important details.
Getting Started With Your Annual Medicare Review
The Annual Enrollment Period runs every year from October 15 to December 7, and it gives you the chance to update your coverage for the upcoming plan year. Since this period affects your benefits for the entire 2026 coverage year, taking time to understand any changes is important for avoiding surprise costs or gaps in care. When you approach your review with a clear plan, you stay focused on what matters most and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Why AEP Matters More Than You Think
This enrollment window is the one time each year when you can make meaningful changes to your Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan if you choose. Even if you think your current coverage works well, details can change from year to year. Costs may shift, your prescriptions may require different rules, or your preferred doctors may no longer be in your plan’s network. A simple review helps you stay informed so you can make choices that fit your health needs in the new year.
How Should You Prepare Before Reviewing Your Coverage
Preparation is the easiest way to simplify your AEP experience. Before you start comparing updates, gather the items that will guide your decision making.
What documents should you check first
Look for the Annual Notice of Change that arrives before AEP begins. This document outlines updates for the upcoming year, including cost changes, rules related to prescriptions, and coverage adjustments. Having it nearby ensures you compare your existing plan accurately.
Also collect your list of doctors, specialists, clinics, and pharmacies you prefer to use. This is helpful when you review plan networks and service areas.
What personal information should you update
Make sure your current medication list is accurate. Include dosage, frequency, and whether each medication is generic or brand-name. Medication needs can change throughout the year, and an updated list helps you see whether your plan will cover everything consistently for 2026.
If your health needs changed recently, make note of them. For example, if you expect more frequent specialist visits next year, the structure of your plan’s copayments or coinsurance may matter more than it did before.
How To Make Your Medicare Review Easier To Follow
Once your information is organized, the next step is to break your review into clear sections. This helps you compare updates without feeling pressured.
Why should you review your costs first
Costs can shift every year. Even stable plans may adjust deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments. Reviewing cost changes early gives you a foundation for understanding whether the plan still fits your budget.
Focus on the following general cost categories:
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Monthly premium
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Deductibles for medical services
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Coinsurance for medical procedures
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Copayments for primary care, specialists, urgent care, or emergency services
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Prescription drug cost tiers
Avoid rushing. Take a few minutes to compare each category and identify where significant changes might occur in 2026.
Why is the drug coverage section important
Prescription drug updates can have a major impact on your total yearly spending. Pay close attention to:
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Tier placement for each medication
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Rules such as step therapy or prior authorizations
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Quantity limits
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Pharmacies included in the plan’s preferred network
Even a small change in tier or restrictions can affect your predictability of costs. Reviewing this section carefully ensures your future coverage supports your medication needs throughout the year.
What should you check about your provider network
Doctor and hospital networks often change from year to year. A plan that included your specialist in 2025 may update its network for 2026. Confirm whether:
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Your primary care doctor remains in-network
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Your specialist visits are still covered
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Local hospitals and urgent care centers remain accessible
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Preferred pharmacies align with your plan’s network
If you rely on specific clinics or medical facilities, reviewing these items protects your continuity of care.
How To Stay Organized While Reviewing Several Plans
If you are comparing multiple Medicare options, keeping your information arranged is essential for staying focused.
Why should you limit your comparisons
It may feel helpful to review several plans, but too many comparisons at once can create confusion. Try focusing on no more than three options. This makes it easier to spot key differences without losing sight of what matters most.
How should you compare your options
Use a simple checklist with categories such as:
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Provider network
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Out of pocket costs
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Travel flexibility
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Extra benefits
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Rules or restrictions
Checking each category one at a time keeps your review structured and reduces the chance of overlooking important updates.
How To Keep Your Review Stress Free
A calmer experience results in better decision making. Establish a plan that gives you enough time to work through your review in steps.
Why should you start early
Waiting until late November or early December can force you to rush. Starting your review in the first week of AEP allows you to spread the process across several days. You have between October 15 and December 7, which provides over seven weeks to review your choices and ask questions if needed.
How can you review in small sessions
Break your review into manageable segments. For example:
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Day 1: Review cost changes
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Day 2: Review provider network
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Day 3: Review prescription coverage
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Day 4: Compare your options
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Day 5: Contact licensed agents listed on this website for guidance
This step by step structure helps you stay clear and focused.
How To Know When Your Review Is Complete
If you follow the steps above, you should reach a point where you feel confident about whether your plan still meets your needs.
What final checks should you perform
Before finalizing your choice, confirm the following:
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All doctors and preferred pharmacies are still in network
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All prescriptions are covered at acceptable cost levels
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Your annual out of pocket expectations fit your budget
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You understand any new rules for 2026
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You have no unanswered questions about your benefits
Completing this checklist ensures you select coverage that supports your health needs for the upcoming year.
Staying Aligned With Your Medicare Needs For 2026
A well structured review helps you stay confident without feeling overwhelmed. When you break the process into simple steps, you protect yourself from missing important changes. If you need help interpreting updates or understanding how your choices affect your costs in 2026, consider reaching out to any of the licensed agents listed on this website.
