How to Review Your Medicare Coverage Each Year:
A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Written by Walter Johnson, Licensed Insurance Agent
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a solicitation for insurance
OFFICIAL 2026 EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE BY WALTER JOHNSON, LICENSED INSURANCE AGENT (CA #0J15814).
Written by Walter Johnson, Licensed Insurance Agent
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a solicitation for insurance
Learn how to review your Medicare coverage each year, what to check, when to make changes, and how to avoid costly surprises during open enrollment.
Medicare isn’t something you set once and forget.
Plans change. Costs change. Your health needs can change.
That’s why reviewing your coverage each year is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid unexpected costs and make sure your plan still fits your needs.
This guide walks you through exactly how to do it.
The most important time to review your Medicare plan is during:
October 15 – December 7
During this time, you can:
Switch Medicare Advantage plans
Return to Original Medicare
Change Part D (drug) plans
👉 For a full breakdown of timing, see:
When Can You Change Medicare Advantage Plans?
Every year, plans send an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC).
This document outlines:
Premium changes
Deductible changes
Copay and coinsurance updates
Drug coverage changes
Do not ignore this document—it tells you exactly what will be different next year.
👉 Related:
Medicare Advantage Costs Explained
Drug coverage is one of the most common areas where costs change.
Check:
Is your medication still covered?
Has it moved to a different pricing tier?
Has your copay increased?
Even a small change here can significantly impact your annual costs.
👉 See also:
Does Medicare Cover Prescription Drugs?
Plans can change their provider networks each year.
Make sure:
Your primary doctor is still in-network
Your specialists are still covered
Your preferred hospitals are included
If not, you may face:
Higher costs
Out-of-network charges
The need to switch providers
👉 Related:
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
Many people focus only on the monthly premium—but that’s only part of the picture.
Review:
Deductibles
Copays
Coinsurance
Out-of-pocket maximums
A lower premium doesn’t always mean lower total cost.
👉 Learn more:
Medicare Out-of-Pocket Costs
Your health and lifestyle may change year to year.
Ask yourself:
Did I use my plan more or less this year?
Do I expect more medical care next year?
Am I traveling more?
Do I need different types of coverage?
Your current plan may not be the best fit anymore.
You may want to explore other options if:
Your costs have increased significantly
Your medications are no longer covered well
Your doctors are no longer in-network
You used more healthcare than expected
You’re unhappy with how your plan works
👉 Compare options here:
Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare
Each year, review these key areas:
Premium changes
Drug coverage
Provider network
Total out-of-pocket costs
Personal health needs
If everything still fits your situation, you may not need to make a change—but you won’t know unless you check.
Ignoring the Annual Notice of Change
Assuming your plan stays the same
Focusing only on premiums
Not reviewing drug coverage
Waiting until after enrollment deadlines
👉 You may also want to read:
Common Medicare Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Medicare works best when it’s reviewed—not ignored.
A few minutes each year can help you:
Avoid unexpected costs
Keep your preferred doctors
Maintain coverage that fits your needs