Medicare Open Enrollment Ends December 7: What to Check Before the Deadline
If you live in Michigan and have Medicare, the clock is running. The Medicare annual enrollment period ends on December 7, and that is less than four weeks away. Whether you are in Ypsilanti, Taylor or anywhere else in the state, this is the one window each year when you can change your Medicare coverage for the year ahead.
This short checklist shows what to look at before the deadline. If you would rather go through it with a person, you can book a virtual Medicare consultation and we will walk through your plan together.
What the Medicare annual enrollment period lets you do
Medicare calls it Open Enrollment. It runs from October 15 to December 7 every year. According to Medicare.gov, during this time you can:
Join, drop or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan, with or without drug coverage
Join, drop or switch to another Medicare drug plan if you have Original Medicare
Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan, or from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare
Changes you make take effect on January 1. The plan must receive your request by December 7, so do not wait for the last day.
Step 1: Read the notice your plan sent you
If you are in a Medicare plan, it sends you a Plan Annual Notice of Change each fall. It lists the changes in coverage and costs that start in January. Medicare.gov says to review it and decide whether the plan will still meet your needs next year. If you never received yours, call your plan.
Step 2: Check your prescriptions
Make a list of every medicine you take regularly. Then check that your plan still covers each one. Medicare.gov suggests adding all of your prescriptions to the plan finder so the monthly and yearly cost estimates are as accurate as possible. Try it at Medicare.gov Plan Finder.
Step 3: Confirm your doctors and pharmacy
Ask your doctors and your pharmacy whether they are in the plan's network for next year. This matters most with a Medicare Advantage Plan. A favorite doctor in Ypsilanti or Taylor is worth a quick phone call before you decide to stay or switch.
Step 4: Compare the real costs
Look past the monthly premium. Review the deductible and the estimated yearly cost of the drugs you take. A low premium does not always mean a low total cost.
Step 5: Think about your health next year
Ask yourself what is coming. A new diagnosis, a planned surgery or a new medicine can change which plan fits best. If you split your year between Michigan and another state, check that the plan covers you there too.
What if you want to leave Medicare Advantage?
If you switch to Original Medicare, Medicare.gov notes that you may need to join a separate drug plan and may want to add a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy. There are limits on when you can add Medigap, so look into that before you make the change. Our post on Medicare Advantage versus Medicare Supplement explains the difference in plain words.
Missed December 7? You may still have options
If you are already in a Medicare Advantage Plan, there is a second window from January 1 to March 31. Medicare.gov says you can then switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan or return to Original Medicare. It is one change, so it is better to get it right now.
Local Medicare help in Ypsilanti, Taylor and across Michigan
You do not have to sort this out alone. Medicare plans change every year, and a second set of eyes can catch what a notice buries in the fine print. We serve clients across Michigan, and we offer visits at our Ypsilanti office as well as virtual appointments. You can also read more on our Michigan Medicare page, take the Medicare readiness check, or see 5 things to review during annual enrollment.
Book your Medicare review before December 7
Appointments fill up as the deadline gets closer. Pick the visit that suits you: a virtual Medicare consultation from home, or an in-office visit in Ypsilanti. You can also call 866-630-6338. Or go straight to Book Online and choose a time that works for you.
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