Medicare Open Enrollment: A Simple Checklist

Every year, plans change their costs, drug lists, and networks — and every year, millions of people stay in a plan that no longer fits. Open enrollment is your no-penalty chance to fix that. Here is the five-step review.

1. Read your plan's change notice

Each fall your plan mails an Annual Notice of Change. Do not toss it. It spells out exactly how next year's premium, copays, and covered drugs will differ.

2. Re-check your prescriptions

The single most common overpayment is staying on a drug plan after your medications, or the plan's formulary, have changed. Re-price your actual prescription list every year.

3. Confirm your doctors are in network

Networks shift. Make sure the doctors and pharmacies you use are still covered before you renew, especially on Advantage plans.

4. Compare total cost, not just premium

A low premium can hide high copays and deductibles. Add up the realistic yearly total — premium plus expected out-of-pocket — for each option.

5. Decide and act before the deadline

• Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7.
• Changes take effect January 1.
• Miss the window and you generally wait a full year.

An hour of comparison now can save real money for the next twelve months.