Open enrollment is here. Do not autopilot your plan
Premiums, drug formularies, and provider networks change every year. A 20-minute review can save you thousands.
Medicare’s annual open enrollment is the one window each year when you can freely change your coverage. Skipping the review and letting your plan renew on autopilot is one of the most common — and most expensive — mistakes older households make.
What changes every year
- Monthly premiums and annual deductibles.
- Drug formularies — the list of medications your plan covers.
- Provider and pharmacy networks.
- Extra benefits bundled into Medicare Advantage plans.
A 20-minute review
Pull out your current plan’s annual notice of change, list the medications you actually take, and compare against what is available for the coming year. A short review can surface hundreds or even thousands of dollars in avoidable costs.
About the author
David Okoro
Health Coverage Writer
David covers Medicare enrollment, plan comparison, and the annual decisions that quietly determine what older households pay for care.
