It is a good idea to review your Medicare coverage each year, even when you are happy with your current plan.

That does not mean you need to change anything.

It simply means checking whether your coverage, costs, prescriptions, doctors, pharmacies, and personal healthcare needs still line up.

Medicare health and drug plans may make changes for the next calendar year. Those changes are explained in the Annual Notice of Change sent by the plan each fall. Medicare Open Enrollment then runs from October 15 through December 7.

A yearly review may be especially helpful if:

• You take a new medication

• A medication has become more expensive

• You changed doctors or started seeing a specialist

• You moved

• You travel frequently

• Your health needs changed

• You have questions about your benefits or costs

The review may confirm that your current coverage is still a good fit.

It may also uncover questions you should explore before an enrollment deadline.

What should you bring to a Medicare review?

Bring:

• Your Medicare card

• Current plan information

• A complete medication list

• Your preferred pharmacy

• A list of your doctors and specialists

• Any recent plan notices

• Your questions

Can you change plans immediately after a review?

Not necessarily. The opportunity to make a change depends on the type of coverage you have and whether you are currently within an applicable enrollment period. Certain life events may create a Special Enrollment Period.

If you would like help understanding your current coverage or preparing for the fall, call Sandra Reith at 520-909-3677.

Sandra also holds walk-in Medicare hours Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Walgreens, 375 W. Continental Road in Green Valley.