Why You Should Schedule Your Annual Medicare Review Early
Medicare coverage is not something to choose once and forget. Health needs change, prescriptions change, and Medicare plans may update their costs, benefits, pharmacy networks and participating providers from one year to the next.
An annual Medicare review gives you an opportunity to confirm that your current coverage still fits your healthcare needs and budget.
Your Current Medicare Plan May Change
Medicare health and drug plans send members an Annual Notice of Change each fall. This notice explains changes that will take effect in January, including possible updates to coverage, costs or the plan’s service area. Medicare recommends reviewing these changes to determine whether the plan will continue to meet your needs.
During your review, check:
Whether your doctors and specialists remain in-network
Whether your prescriptions are still covered
Whether your preferred pharmacy remains in the network
Changes to premiums, deductibles and copayments
Changes to dental, vision, hearing or other benefits
Any new prior-authorization requirements
Even when you are happy with your current plan, completing a review can help prevent unwelcome surprises in the new year.
Your Healthcare Needs May Be Different
A new prescription, diagnosis, provider or treatment can change what you need from your Medicare coverage. Medicare notes that costs, benefits and providers can change annually, and comparing options may help beneficiaries find more suitable coverage or save money.
Bring an updated list of medications, doctors, pharmacies and anticipated healthcare needs to your appointment. This will make it easier to evaluate how well each option fits your situation.
Why Scheduling Early Matters
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, and changes made during this period generally take effect January 1.
Appointments can fill quickly as the deadline approaches. Scheduling early gives you:
More appointment times to choose from
More time to gather important documents
More time to review and compare available options
An opportunity to ask questions without feeling rushed
Time to correct missing or inaccurate information
Waiting until the final days may create unnecessary stress and leave less time to make a thoughtful decision.
Prepare for Your Review
Before your appointment, gather:
Your Medicare card
Your current insurance cards
Your prescription names and dosages
Your preferred doctors, specialists and hospitals
Your preferred pharmacies
Your Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage
Questions or concerns about your current plan
Plans generally send the Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage in September, making this a good time to begin preparing.
Do Not Wait Until the Deadline
An early Medicare review can help you understand upcoming changes, evaluate your choices and enter the new year with greater confidence.
Contact MRW Solutions Group today to book your annual Medicare review. The sooner you schedule, the more time you will have to prepare and make an informed decision.
This article is for general educational purposes. Plan benefits, provider networks, formularies, costs and eligibility rules vary. Completing a review does not require you to change plans.
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