Medicare Open Enrollment Starts Oct 15: How to Prepare
Every fall, Medicare plans can change, and the plan that worked well for you last year may not fit your life this year. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the window when you can review your coverage and make a change if you need to.
AEP runs from October 15 to December 7. That is still a couple of weeks away, which is good news. A little preparation now turns a confusing decision into a simple checklist.
Here is how to get ready, whether you live in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, or anywhere else in Arizona.
What is the Annual Enrollment Period?
AEP is the yearly window when people with Medicare can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, move from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or join, drop, or change a Part D prescription drug plan. Changes you make generally take effect on January 1.
You do not have to change anything. But plans can adjust their premiums, copays, drug lists (called formularies), doctor networks, and extra benefits every year. That is why a yearly review matters, even if you are happy today.
Start with the notice your plan sent you
In the fall, your current plan sends an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). It explains what is changing for next year. Many people set it aside because it looks like routine mail. Please open it.
Look for changes in three places:
- Your medications: Is each one still covered, and is it in the same cost tier?
- Your doctors and hospitals: Are they still in the plan’s network?
- Your costs: Have the monthly premium, deductible, or copays changed?
If something important changed, that is your signal to look at your options.
Gather your own list before you compare plans
A good comparison starts with you, not with a plan brochure. Before October 15, write down a few things:
- Every prescription you take, with the dose and the pharmacy you use
- The doctors, specialists, and hospitals you want to keep
- Any health changes expected next year, such as a planned surgery or a new diagnosis
- Whether you travel or spend part of the year outside Arizona
With this list in hand, a comparison takes minutes instead of hours, and nothing gets missed.
Know what each choice means
Original Medicare with a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan and a Part D drug plan usually offers broad provider choice and more predictable costs. Medicare Advantage bundles coverage into one plan, often with extra benefits, but typically uses a network. Neither is right for everyone. The trade-offs depend on your health, your budget, and which doctors you want to see.
One more tip: do not choose only by the monthly premium. Total cost over a year, including copays and prescriptions, tells the real story.
Get a free plan review before the rush
Calendars fill up quickly in late October and November. If you would like a second set of eyes on your options, we are happy to help. LXV Advocates offers free Medicare plan reviews for Phoenix-area residents, with no pressure and no obligation.
Call us at 623-244-7464 or visit our contact page to schedule a conversation with a licensed professional. We will walk through your medications, your doctors, and your goals, and explain your options in plain English.