Your Annual Medicare Review Guide
A little preparation now can make
Medicare decisions much easier later.
Medicare Open Enrollment may still be a few months away, but you do not have to wait until October to begin gathering information or asking questions.
In fact, starting early can make the entire process feel much less rushed.
Each fall, people enrolled in Medicare health or prescription drug plans receive an Annual Notice of Change. This document explains changes to the plan’s costs, coverage, provider network, prescription drug coverage, and other important details for the coming year.
Taking a little time now to organize your information can help you understand that notice when it arrives and decide whether your current coverage still fits your life.
Medicare Open Enrollment takes place from October 15 through December 7 each year. Changes made during that period generally begin January 1.
Why Review Your Medicare Coverage Every Year?
It is easy to assume that once you have selected Medicare coverage, you can simply leave everything as it is.
Sometimes you can.
However, your life may change. Your plan may change too.
A yearly review can help you identify changes before they become unexpected expenses or inconveniences.
You may want to review your coverage if:
You started taking a new prescription
The price of one of your medications changed
You began seeing a new doctor or specialist
Your preferred pharmacy changed
You moved to a new community or county
You travel or spend part of the year in another state
You received a new diagnosis
Your healthcare needs changed
You are helping a spouse or parent understand their coverage
You simply have questions about what you currently have
Reviewing your plan does not mean you must change it.
Sometimes the best outcome of a Medicare review is learning that your current coverage still works well for you.
What Can Change From One Year to the Next?
Depending on the type of coverage you have, changes may include:
Monthly costs
Premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance may change.
Prescription drug coverage
A drug plan’s list of covered medications is called its formulary. Each Medicare drug plan has its own formulary, and coverage or cost-sharing may change.
Doctor and hospital networks
Provider networks may change for Medicare Advantage plans. It is important to verify that the doctors, specialists, facilities, and hospitals you want to use will continue participating.
Pharmacy networks
The pharmacy you prefer may not have the same status or pricing under your plan in the coming year.
Benefits and coverage rules
Plans may update benefits, prior authorization requirements, service areas, or other coverage details.
Your Annual Notice of Change is one of the most important documents to read because it explains the changes your plan expects to make for the following year.
What Is the Annual Notice of Change?
If you are enrolled in a Medicare plan, your plan sends an Annual Notice of Change, often called an ANOC, each fall.
The notice explains changes in coverage, costs, and other plan details that will take effect in January. Medicare advises that plans send the printed notice by September 30.
When it arrives, do not automatically set it aside. Place it somewhere safe and review it carefully.
Look for changes involving:
Your monthly premium
Deductibles
Copayments
Prescription drug coverage
Pharmacy participation
Doctor and hospital networks
Prior authorization requirements
Additional benefits
Maximum out-of-pocket costs
You do not have to interpret every page alone. A licensed Medicare broker can help you understand what the changes may mean for your individual situation.
Your Simple Medicare Review Checklist
Before fall, gather the following information:
Your current Medicare cards and plan documents
Include your Medicare card and any Medicare Advantage, Medigap, or Part D plan information.
A current medication list
Write down:
The exact name of each medication
Dosage
How often you take it
Whether you prefer a generic or brand-name medication
Your preferred pharmacy
A list of your doctors and healthcare providers
Include:
Primary care doctor
Specialists
Preferred hospital
Urgent care location
Physical therapist or other regular providers
Any new providers you expect to see
Your healthcare priorities
Think about what matters most to you.
That may include:
Keeping a particular doctor
Lower prescription costs
Coverage while traveling
Access to local specialists
Predictable monthly expenses
Dental, vision, hearing, or other benefits
A preferred pharmacy
A lower maximum out-of-pocket amount
Questions you want answered
Keep a running list rather than trying to remember everything during an appointment.
Can You Change Medicare Coverage Right Now?
Not everyone can change Medicare coverage at any time.
Medicare Open Enrollment is held from October 15 through December 7. During that period, eligible individuals may make certain changes involving Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug coverage for the following year.
Some people may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period because of a specific life event, such as moving or losing other coverage. The timing and changes allowed depend on the event.
Medigap also has different enrollment rules and should not be treated as though it follows the same annual enrollment rules as Medicare Advantage or Part D. The federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period is generally a one-time six-month period, rather than an event that repeats every fall.
That is one reason individualized guidance matters.
A review can help you understand:
What type of coverage you currently have
Whether an enrollment period applies to you
What information you should gather
What questions to ask
What options may be available when the appropriate enrollment period begins
Why Start Before October?
Once Medicare Open Enrollment begins, the amount of advertising, mail, phone calls, and information can feel overwhelming.
Starting early gives you time to:
Gather your medication and provider information
Understand your current coverage
Learn which documents to watch for
Write down your questions
Review your Annual Notice of Change when it arrives
Make thoughtful decisions without feeling rushed
You do not have to select a plan today to begin preparing today.
Talk With Sandra
I have had the privilege of helping people throughout Green Valley, Sahuarita, Tucson, and communities across Arizona understand Medicare and navigate their choices. My goal is not to pressure you into making a change; it is to help you understand what you have, what may be changing, and what questions are worth asking before you make a decision.
If you are turning 65, new to Medicare, moving to Arizona, reviewing your current coverage, or helping a family member, I would be happy to talk with you.
Walk-In Medicare Hours
Tuesdays and Wednesdays
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Walgreens
375 W. Continental Road
Green Valley, Arizona
You may also call Sandra at 520-909-3677 to ask a question or schedule a personal appointment.
Sandra Reith is a licensed Medicare broker serving Green Valley, Sahuarita, Southern Arizona, and clients throughout Arizona.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to change my Medicare plan every year?
No. Reviewing your coverage does not mean you are required to change it. Your current plan may continue to fit your healthcare needs and preferences. The purpose of a review is to understand any changes and make an informed decision.
When will I receive my Annual Notice of Change?
Medicare plans send the Annual Notice of Change in the fall. Medicare’s 2026 handbook states that plans send a printed copy by September 30.
When is Medicare Open Enrollment?
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. Changes made during this period generally take effect January 1.
What should I bring to a Medicare review?
Bring your Medicare card, current plan information, medication list, preferred pharmacy, healthcare provider list, and any questions you have.
Can I change plans before Open Enrollment?
Possibly, but only in certain circumstances. Some life events may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period. The rules and timing depend on your situation.
Does the fall Open Enrollment Period apply to Medigap?
Medigap follows different enrollment and underwriting rules. Its federal open enrollment period is generally a one-time six-month period that begins when you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. It is not the same as the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period.