Your Medicare Plan May Have Changed.
Here’s How to Make Sure You Still Have the Right One.
Medicare Advantage plans change every year — premiums, networks, drug coverage, and out-of-pocket limits can all shift without much fanfare. A free annual review takes 20 minutes and can save you hundreds of dollars.
Book Your Free Plan ReviewNo obligation · Independent advisor · All carriers compared
Why Villages Residents Review Their Medicare Plans Every Year
When you first enrolled in Medicare Advantage, you chose the best plan available at the time. But Medicare Advantage plans are not static — carriers renegotiate contracts, adjust benefits, change networks, and modify drug formularies every single year. What was the right plan in 2023 or 2024 may not be the right plan today.
In The Villages specifically, the plan landscape shifts more than most markets. With 15+ plans competing for one of the largest concentrations of Medicare beneficiaries in the country, carriers actively adjust their offerings year over year to win or retain enrollees. That means both new opportunities and new traps every OEP.
📋 Your Plan’s Benefits Changed
Your plan is required to send you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) each September. Most people don’t read it. That letter may contain significant changes to your premium, copays, drug formulary, or network that take effect January 1.
🏥 Your Doctor Left the Network
Physician and hospital network changes happen quietly. Your primary care doctor or a specialist you rely on may no longer be in-network for your current plan — a review catches this before it costs you.
💊 Your Drugs Are Now Tier 3 or Higher
Formulary changes are one of the most common reasons plan costs increase unexpectedly. A medication that was Tier 1 last year may now be Tier 3 or require prior authorization — adding significant out-of-pocket cost.
⭐ A Better Plan Is Now Available
New plans enter the market every year. In The Villages, Devoted Health — the only carrier in the area with 5-star ratings — has expanded its offerings. You may have access to better coverage at the same $0 premium.
🏠 Your Health Situation Changed
If you’ve developed a new chronic condition, added medications, had surgery, or your healthcare utilization has increased, the plan that made sense when you were healthy may now expose you to significant out-of-pocket costs.
📍 You’re Spending Time Out of State
Many Villages residents travel or spend time with family in other states. HMO plans only cover emergency care outside your network area. If your lifestyle has changed, a PPO or HMO-POS plan may serve you better.
Open Enrollment Period — Key Dates
Don’t wait until November — the best appointment times fill up quickly in The Villages during OEP.
What Actually Changes in Your Plan Year to Year
Medicare Advantage plans are required to notify you of changes, but the ANOC letter is dense and easy to miss. Here’s what to watch for:
Out-of-Pocket Maximum
The cap on what you’ll pay in a year for covered services can change significantly. In The Villages, 2026 out-of-pocket maximums range from $2,000 to $6,750 across available plans. If your plan’s MOOP increased, you may now be exposed to thousands more in potential costs than last year.
Drug Formulary & Tier Assignments
Carriers renegotiate drug contracts annually. Your medications may have moved to a higher cost tier, been removed from the formulary entirely, or now require step therapy or prior authorization. This is the most common source of unexpected cost increases.
Provider Network
Hospitals and physician groups renegotiate contracts with carriers every year. UF Health The Villages Hospital, AdventHealth Waterman, and local physician groups may be in-network for one plan but not another — and this changes year to year.
Star Ratings
Medicare rates every plan 1–5 stars annually based on quality and member experience. A plan’s rating directly affects how Medicare reimburses the carrier — and plans with declining ratings sometimes reduce benefits in response. Only Devoted Health holds 5-star ratings in The Villages for 2026.
Extra Benefits
Dental allowances, OTC drug credits, transportation rides, fitness memberships, and Part B premium giveback amounts all change year to year. You may be leaving meaningful benefits on the table by staying in a plan that’s reduced its extras.
⚠️ Doing Nothing Is Still a Choice
If you don’t make a change during OEP, you stay enrolled in your current plan — with all of its new 2026 terms. That’s fine if your plan is still the best option. But if your out-of-pocket maximum increased, your doctor left the network, or a better plan is now available, staying put by default can cost you significantly. A 20-minute review confirms you’re in the right place — or shows you what you’re missing.
How a Free Plan Review Works
Schedule 20 Minutes
Book online or call (888) 588-5175. Evenings and weekends available for Villages residents.
Share Your Current Plan
Have your Medicare card and current plan info handy. Your ANOC letter from September is helpful but not required.
Review Your Medications & Doctors
A list of your current prescriptions and preferred providers helps identify which plans keep your costs lowest.
Compare All Available Plans
I pull every plan available in your county side by side — all carriers, all costs, all networks. You see the full picture.
Make the Right Call for You
If your current plan is still the best fit, I’ll tell you. If a better option exists, we enroll you — at no cost to you.
What to Bring to Your Review
- Your Medicare card (red, white & blue)
- Your current plan’s insurance card
- List of prescription medications with dosages
- Names of your primary care doctor and key specialists
- Your Annual Notice of Change letter (if you kept it)
Don’t have everything? Don’t worry — we can work with whatever you have.
Common Questions About Medicare Plan Reviews
How often should I review my Medicare Advantage plan?
Every year during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7). Plans change annually, and what was right last year may not be right this year. A 20-minute review is all it takes to confirm you’re in the best plan or make a better switch.
Can I switch Medicare Advantage plans any time?
Generally, no. Outside of specific Special Enrollment Periods, you can only switch Medicare Advantage plans during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan 1–Mar 31, which allows one switch) or the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15–Dec 7). Changes made during OEP take effect the first of the following month.
If I switch plans, does my coverage restart on January 1?
Yes. Any plan change made during OEP takes effect the first day of the month following your enrollment. There is no gap in coverage.
What if I decide not to switch after the review?
That’s completely fine — and it happens often. If your current plan is still the best option for your doctors, medications, and budget, I’ll tell you. The goal of a review is an informed decision, not a switch for its own sake.
Does it cost anything to switch Medicare Advantage plans?
No. Switching between $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans costs nothing. My guidance is also at no cost to you — I’m compensated by carriers when you enroll, not by charging you a fee. If you stay in your current plan, I receive nothing — which is why my recommendation is always based on what’s right for you.
I’m in Sumter County but my neighbor is in Lake County — does that matter?
Yes, it can. The Villages spans three counties and plan availability is determined by county, not zip code. Most plans are available across all three counties, but there can be differences — particularly with smaller regional carriers. I verify availability for your specific county during the review.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare and a Supplement?
Yes, but this requires careful timing. You can switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare during OEP. However, if you want to add a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, you may face medical underwriting in Florida — meaning you could be denied or charged more based on health history. This makes the decision to go on Medicare Advantage initially very significant. If you’re considering this switch, a review is especially important.
Book Your Free Medicare Plan Review
I serve Villages residents across Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties. As an independent advisor, I’m appointed with every major carrier available here — so I can give you a genuine side-by-side comparison, not a pitch for one plan.
Schedule Your Free Review NowOr call: (888) 588-5175
Evenings & weekends available · No obligation · Free guidance