5 questions to ask during Medicare’s annual enrollment period
Each fall, from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) gives over 68 million Americans the opportunity to review and adjust their coverage for the coming year. Sorting through the various options — Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D — can be a challenge for many beneficiaries.
In fact, a recent survey found 75% of Medicare beneficiaries consider the process of selecting a plan to be confusing. What’s more, 33% of Medicare beneficiaries agree they don’t have a good understanding of how Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and Part D plans differ.
Whether people are enrolling in Medicare for the first time or looking to change Medicare Advantage plans after their existing one was discontinued for next year, here are five questions all Medicare beneficiaries — and their family members — should ask as they prepare for this year’s enrollment period:
Q: What did my medical expenses look like in 2025?
A: Start preparing for the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period by reviewing what you paid in monthly premiums for your Medicare coverage last year, as well as what you paid out of pocket toward your medical expenses. Determine if the premiums you’re paying for Medicare Advantage, Part D, or Medicare Supplement coverage is affordable for you on a month-to-month basis. Ask yourself how your budget would be impacted if these premiums increased.
Next, review how much you paid in copays, deductibles, and coinsurance for the medical care you received in 2025, and keep these numbers handy. Understanding expenses like these is an important step when reviewing your coverage options for 2026.
Q: How will my current Medicare coverage change in 2026?
A: All Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plan enrollees should have received their Annual Notice of Change letters sometime during September. These letters tell enrollees how their current Medicare plan may be changing for th e following year. If you haven’t already done so, review this letter to better understand how your existing plan may be changing — or if it has been eliminated entirely. If you haven’t received this year’s letter or you’ve lost it, contact your insurer or a licensed insurance agency to ask for another copy.
Millions of Medicare Advantage and Part D plan enrollees are facing significant changes to their monthly premiums, out-of-pocket costs, covered benefits, as well as adjustments to what care providers, hospitals and health care facilities are considered in-network. The Annual Notice of Change letter outlines these changes and will help you understand if it’s time to find a new Medicare plan.
Q: Have my personal finances changed in the past year?
A: If you’re bringing in less money now than you were a year ago, or if your dollars just don’t seem to stretch as far as they used to, it’s important to take this into consideration as you prepare for picking a plan. That’s also true if you’re bringing in more money today than a year ago.
Your financial resources may be an important factor in determining the right Medicare coverage for you in 2026. For example, beneficiaries with more resources might prefer to enroll in a Medicare Supplement and Part D plan to help cover the gaps in Original Medicare Parts A and B, while lower-income beneficiaries may be more likely to opt for Medicare Advantage.
Q: Have my prescription drugs and preferred doctors changed in the past year?
A: After selecting your Medicare coverage, it can be frustrating if it turns out the plan doesn’t cover the prescription drugs you need or your favorite doctor. It’s important to realize the specific drugs covered by Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can vary widely, and so can the copays for them. Similarly, Medicare Advantage plans offered through private insurers typically utilize different care provider networks, so your preferred doctors or facilities may be considered in network on one plan, but out of network on another one.
If you want to help ensure you’re getting the optimal coverage based on your preferences, review your prescription drug needs and list of preferred doctors before selecting a plan.
Q: Do I know where to turn for help during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?
A: Because picking the right plan based on personal needs can be so complex, it’s important to know where you can find reliable assistance. There are many resources available, from government websites to volunteers such as State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) counselors. Licensed insurance agents can give personal advice based on your individual needs and budget, and Medicare beneficiaries who work with agents report higher levels of coverage satisfaction. Importantly, it doesn’t cost anything extra to work with a licensed insurance agent.