Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7. Before it starts, get your current doctor and medication lists together and review the coming year’s plan information. A review doesn’t automatically mean you need to switch. As Bill Jurey puts it when reviewing clients’ coverage: “If they’re in a good spot, leave them there.”
What can you do before October 15?
Bill helps people in Lincoln, Nebraska, choose Medicare coverage. In his planning process, October 1 is when the coming year’s plan information becomes available. That leaves 14 days before enrollment begins to start sorting through changes and deciding which clients need a conversation first.
You don’t have to wait until October 15 to get organized. Read the information your current plan sends about next year’s coverage, especially its Annual Notice of Change. That notice explains changes to costs and coverage. Flag anything you don’t understand so you can ask about it during a review.
The October 15 through December 7 window generally allows changes to Medicare Advantage and prescription drug coverage for the following year. It isn’t a blanket enrollment window for every part of Medicare. First-time enrollment and Medicare Supplement coverage have different rules, so ask which deadlines apply to your situation.
What should you bring to a plan review?
Bill starts with a plain question: “Hey, what’s changed?” Have your doctors changed? Have your medications changed? Those details help determine whether a plan still fits.
Before a conversation, gather:
- Your doctors: Include specialists and any new providers you expect to see. Ask whether they participate in the plan you’re considering.
- Your prescriptions: Write down medication names, doses, how often you take them, and the pharmacy you use. Ask how the plan covers those prescriptions.
- Your current plan information: Have your plan name and next year’s change notice handy. Note any bills or coverage questions you want explained.
- Your budget concerns: Look beyond the monthly premium. Ask about deductibles, copays, and other amounts you may pay when you receive care.
A friend’s recommendation or a TV commercial can’t tell you how a plan will work with your particular doctors and prescriptions.
Do you need to change plans every year?
No. Bill’s approach is to put the updated information into the review and see where the client stands. If the coverage still fits, staying put may make sense.
But don’t assume that nothing needs checking just because your health hasn’t changed. Compare the coming year’s coverage with what you actually use, rather than choosing on premium alone.
If you’re in Lincoln and want help choosing a Medicare plan, start a conversation with Bill Jurey before the December 7 deadline gets close. Bring your questions and your updated lists. The goal is to understand your options without being pressured into a change.
