Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Checklist: How to Review Your Coverage Every Fall

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7 every year. Any changes you make take effect January 1. This is your most important opportunity to ensure your Medicare coverage still fits your needs -- and to save money if better options are available. Here is a step-by-step checklist.

Step 1: Collect your current plan documents

• Your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan's Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) -- mailed by September 30
• Your current Evidence of Coverage (EOC)
• Your Medicare card

Step 2: Make a list of your medications Write down every prescription medication you take, including:

• Drug name (brand and generic)
• Dosage (mg)
• Frequency (how many times per day)
• Pharmacy you use

Step 3: List your doctors and specialists Write down every provider you see regularly:

• Primary care physician
• All specialists (cardiologist, endocrinologist, orthopedist, etc.)
• Any hospitals or surgery centers you use

Step 4: Review your healthcare use from the past year

• How many times did you visit the doctor?
• Did you have any hospitalizations or surgeries?
• Did you use any specialist care?
• Did you use any durable medical equipment?

Step 5: Read your Annual Notice of Change Your current plan must mail you an ANOC by September 30 listing all changes for the coming year:

• Premium changes
• Deductible changes
• Copay and coinsurance changes
• Formulary changes (drugs added, removed, or moved to different tiers)
• Network changes (doctors or hospitals leaving the network)

Step 6: Check your drug formulary Even if your plan's premium stays the same, your drug costs can change significantly if:

• Your medications moved to a higher tier
• Your medications were removed from the formulary
• Prior authorization requirements were added

Use Medicare Plan Finder (medicare.gov/plan-compare) to enter your medications and compare actual drug costs across plans.

Step 7: Verify your doctors are still in-network If you have Medicare Advantage, confirm your doctors are still in the plan's network for the coming year. Networks change annually -- a doctor who was in-network this year may not be next year.

Step 8: Compare total annual costs Do not just compare premiums -- compare total estimated annual costs:

• Monthly premium × 12
• Estimated drug costs (from Plan Finder)
• Estimated copays for doctor visits and specialist care
• Deductibles
• Maximum out-of-pocket limit (for MA plans)

Step 9: Consider your health outlook If you anticipate significant healthcare needs in the coming year (planned surgery, new diagnosis, increased specialist visits), factor this into your plan comparison.

Step 10: Decide whether to make a change If your current plan still meets your needs at a competitive cost -- staying put is a valid choice. If you find a significantly better option, make the change.

Step 11: Enroll in your new plan

• Online: medicare.gov/plan-compare
• By phone: Call the plan directly or 1-800-MEDICARE
• In person: Contact a licensed Medicare specialist

Step 12: Confirm your enrollment After enrolling, you should receive a confirmation from your new plan. Verify your coverage is active before January 1.

Step 13: Notify your doctors and pharmacy Let your doctors' offices and pharmacy know about your new plan so they can verify coverage before your first visit or prescription fill of the new year.

Step 14: Review your new ID cards Your new plan will mail ID cards before January 1. Carry your new card and present it at all healthcare visits starting January 1.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.