Halfway Through Medicare Open Enrollment: A 5-Minute Check Before December 7

We're about halfway through Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period, which runs October 15 through December 7. Any changes you make now take effect January 1. If you've been meaning to look at your coverage but haven't gotten to it, here's a quick check you can do at the kitchen table.

Open your Annual Notice of Change.

Your plan mailed this in the fall. It lists what's changing next year, like premiums, copays, and which drugs are covered. If you can't find it, your plan can send another copy.

Check your doctors.

Networks can change from year to year. Make sure the doctors, specialists, and hospitals you count on are still in your plan's network for 2027.

Check your prescriptions.

Drug lists change too. Look up each medication you take and see whether it's still covered and what tier it's on. A drug moving tiers can change what you pay at the pharmacy.

Think about how this year went.

Did you hit surprise costs? Need a specialist you couldn't easily see? Your answers are a good guide to whether your current plan still makes sense.

Don't wait until the last week.

December gets busy. Starting now leaves time to ask questions and compare without rushing.

If you'd like a second set of eyes, we're happy to sit down with you, walk through your options, and help you decide whether to stay put or make a change. Call our office at (316) 234-1238.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.