Medicare Open Enrollment Checklist

23 items · Health · Medium difficulty · 3 hours

Review your Medicare plan between October 15 and December 7: check the Annual Notice of Change, your drugs and doctors, then compare and switch if needed.

• Mark October 15 and December 7 on your calendar
• Find the Annual Notice of Change from your current plan

  It lists what changes on January 1, including the premium, deductible, copays and the drug list.

• Check whether any notice says your plan is ending or leaving your area

  If it is, you will need to choose new coverage for January.

• List every prescription with its dose and how often you take it
• List your doctors, specialists, hospitals and pharmacy
• Add up what you spent on premiums, copays and drugs this year

  A low premium is not a low total if your drugs or visits cost more under that plan.

• Check that each drug is still on your plan's drug list next year

  Check its tier too, and whether it now needs prior authorization or step therapy.

• On Medicare Advantage, confirm your doctors and hospitals stay in network
• Compare plans in the Plan Finder on Medicare.gov

  Enter your drug list and pharmacy so it can estimate each plan's yearly drug cost.

• Compare the yearly out-of-pocket maximum on Medicare Advantage plans
• Check whether a plan needs referrals or prior authorization for the care you use
• Compare preferred pharmacy and mail-order prices

  Many Part D plans charge less at their preferred pharmacies.

• Look at each plan's star rating
• If you have retiree coverage from an employer or union, ask them before changing anything

  Joining a different plan can end that coverage, and you may not be able to get it back.

• If you have a Medigap policy, know that this window does not cover it

  In most states, buying or switching a Medigap policy later can mean answering health questions, and the insurer can turn you down or charge more.

• Check whether you qualify for Extra Help with drug costs

  Extra Help is a federal program that lowers Part D costs for people with limited income and resources.

• Book a free session with your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

  SHIP counselors give free one-on-one help and do not sell plans.

• Never give your Medicare number to someone who calls you uninvited
• Enroll in your new plan by December 7

  Use Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE or the plan itself. Joining a new Medicare Advantage or drug plan usually ends the old one, but a Medigap policy does not end on its own.

• Save the confirmation number and the date you enrolled
• Watch for the new plan's welcome letter and member card

  If nothing has arrived by late December, call the plan.

• Show the new card at your first pharmacy visit in January
• Know about the second window from January 1 to March 31 if you are on Medicare Advantage

  It allows one switch to another Medicare Advantage plan, or back to Original Medicare, where you can also join a Part D drug plan.

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