This Review Is Especially Helpful If:
Not sure whether you need a review? You do if any of these describe your situation this year. Small plan changes can have a big financial impact — and most people never know until it’s too late.
Medicare Plans Change Every Year
Each fall, Medicare plans release updates that may affect:
- Monthly premiums
- Maximum out-of-pocket limits
- Doctor and hospital networks
- Prescription drug formularies
- Copays and coinsurance
- Extra benefits like dental or vision
If you haven’t reviewed your coverage recently, you may be:
Paying more than necessary
Using out-of-network providers
Missing newly available benefits like Part B Giveback
Exposed to higher medical costs than expected
A 30-minute review can prevent that.
Schedule Your Free Annual ReviewYou Should Consider a Review If:
- You received your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
- Your prescriptions changed this year
- A doctor left your plan’s network
- Your costs were higher than expected
- You moved or are planning to move
- You simply haven’t reviewed your plan in 12 months
Even small changes can make a meaningful financial difference.
When Can You Change a Medicare Advantage Plan?
Medicare Advantage is not a permanent lock-in — but the windows to make changes are limited and specific. Missing them means waiting another year.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
The main annual window. You can switch from one Advantage plan to another, drop Advantage and return to Original Medicare, add or change a Part D drug plan, or enroll in Advantage if you currently have Original Medicare.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP)
If you are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different Advantage plan or drop Advantage and return to Original Medicare (plus a standalone Part D plan). You cannot use this period to switch from Original Medicare to Advantage.
Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP)
When you first turn 65 and enroll in Medicare, you have a window to elect a Medicare Advantage plan. This is also when your Medigap guaranteed-issue rights are strongest — the window at 65 is the one time you can enroll in any Supplement plan without health questions.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
Certain life events unlock a Special Enrollment Period outside the standard windows. These include moving to a new address (even within the same state), losing other insurance, moving into or out of a care facility, gaining Extra Help for drug costs, or your plan leaving the market. SEPs generally last 2 months from the triggering event.
Not sure which window applies to your situation?
An independent review takes 30 minutes and tells you exactly what you can change, when, and what the consequences are.
Schedule Your Free Review →What We Look At During Your Annual Review
We take a structured, personalized approach.
During your review, we examine:
If your current plan is still the best fit, I will tell you that.
If there is a better option available, you’ll see it clearly — with the pros and cons explained.
Want to see if your current plan still makes sense?
Schedule your free review now — it takes 30 minutes.
A Real-World Example
This is the kind of situation that happens more often than most people realize — and it’s entirely preventable with a simple annual review.
Different Plans Require Different Review Strategies
If You Have a Medicare Advantage Plan
We review:
- Network stability
- Copay adjustments
- MOOP increases
- Prescription tier changes
- Extra benefit changes
Thinking about switching to a Supplement? We’ll check whether you can qualify through underwriting.
If You Have a Medicare Supplement Plan
We review:
- Rate increases
- Long-term cost trends
- Underwriting flexibility
- Alignment with your Part D plan
Every plan type carries different risk exposure. Your review should reflect that.
Simple. Clear. Personal.
Schedule a Call
Phone or Zoom — whichever is easier for you.
Review Your Coverage Together
We compare your current plan to available options in your area.
Get Clear Recommendations
No pressure. No rushing. Just informed decisions.
Not Sure If You Need a Review?
Take our short Medicare Clarity Quiz to see if your current coverage may need attention.
Take the Medicare Clarity Quiz →Takes less than a minute. No commitment required.
New to Medicare? Take the Supplement vs Advantage Quiz instead.
Why Work With an Independent Medicare Advisor?
As an independent broker, I compare multiple carriers and focus on long-term protection — not quick enrollments.
This is not a one-time transaction. It’s an ongoing relationship.
Explore More Medicare Resources
Supplement vs Advantage
Side-by-side comparison of cost, coverage, and trade-offs.
⚠️Common Mistakes
Costly errors that can follow you for decades.
🔴Medicare Penalties
Late enrollment rules and how to avoid permanent surcharges.
💰Part B Giveback
Plans that reduce your Part B premium every month.
📚Medicare Glossary
Every Medicare term explained in plain language.
🎂Turning 65?
First-time enrollment guidance and timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I schedule my Medicare annual review?
The ideal time is during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7). However, reviews can be done at any time. If your plan sent you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), that is your signal to review now. Any life change — new prescriptions, a doctor leaving your network, or a move — also warrants an immediate review.
Does a Medicare annual review cost anything?
No. There is no cost and no obligation. Insurance companies compensate independent Medicare advisors when you enroll in a plan. Your premium is exactly the same whether you use an advisor or not. You receive expert guidance at no charge.
What do I need for the review?
Your current plan information and a list of your prescriptions. That is all you need. Your advisor handles the plan comparison, network verification, and drug formulary review during the call.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to a Supplement during a review?
You can apply for a Medicare Supplement at any time of year, but outside your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period you will need to pass medical underwriting. We will help you understand whether switching is realistic based on your health history.
What if my current plan is already the best option?
We will tell you. Our job is to make sure you have the right coverage — not to change your plan for the sake of changing it. If your current plan is still the best fit, you will hear that clearly.
What changes can affect my Medicare plan each year?
Medicare plans can change premiums, copays, out-of-pocket maximums, provider networks, and prescription drug formularies each year. Extra benefits like dental and vision can also be added or removed. These changes are announced in the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) sent each fall before the enrollment period opens.