5 Medicare Open Enrollment Mistakes That Could Cost You — And How to Avoid Them

Top 5 Medicare Open Enrollment Mistakes to Avoid

Each year, Medicare gives you a window of time to review your coverage and make changes. This period, called the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), runs from October 15 through December 7. During this time, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, join a new prescription drug plan, or return to Original Medicare.



What Are the Top Mistakes to Avoid During Open Enrollment?

To make the most of Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period, it helps to be aware of the common missteps people make. Knowing which mistakes to avoid gives you a better chance of choosing coverage that truly matches your health and financial needs. With careful planning, you can enter the new year confident that your Medicare plan is working for you.

1. Not Reading the Annual Notice of Change

Each fall, your plan will send you a document called the Annual Notice of Change, often referred to as the ANOC. It lists updates to your plan’s costs, benefits, and covered medications for the next year. Skipping over this letter may not seem like a big deal, but it can lead to unpleasant surprises such as higher copays or changes in drug coverage once January arrives.

Taking time to review your ANOC gives you the chance to compare your current plan with others available in your area. If your plan no longer fits your budget or your health needs, you will know it is time to make a switch before the enrollment window closes.

2. Assuming Your Prescription Needs Will Stay Consistent

Your health can change from year to year, and so can your prescription needs. Even if you do not currently take many medications, that does not mean you will not need them in the future. Prescription drug lists, also called formularies, shift annually. A medication covered this year may not be covered next year, or it may come with higher out-of-pocket costs.

Reviewing your prescriptions against your plan’s formulary helps you prepare for possible expenses. This is especially important as you age, since medical needs are more likely to evolve over time.

3. Ignoring Provider Network Changes

Another easy mistake is overlooking changes to your provider network. Medicare Advantage plans in particular rely on networks of doctors, specialists, and hospitals. If your doctor or preferred hospital leaves the network, you may face much higher costs or lose access to them altogether.

In California, where provider networks can vary widely between counties, checking this detail is essential. Before open enrollment ends, confirm that your doctors, specialists, and facilities are still included in your plan’s network so you are not caught off guard later.

4. Letting Deadlines Pass

The Annual Enrollment Period may last nearly two months, but waiting until the last week or the last day can backfire. With so many options to review, decisions made at the last minute are often rushed, and missed deadlines mean you are stuck with your current coverage for another year.

To avoid stress, mark your calendar early and give yourself time to compare plans. In California, just like elsewhere, if you miss the December 7 deadline, your next opportunity will not come until the following year unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to certain life events.

5. Misunderstanding Medigap Rules

Medigap, also called Medicare Supplement Insurance, helps cover costs that Original Medicare does not, including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. The rules around Medigap can be confusing. Unlike Medicare Advantage or Part D, Medigap does not follow the same open enrollment timelines.

In California, beneficiaries benefit from what is known as the birthday rule. This allows you to switch to another Medigap plan of equal or lesser benefits within 60 days of your birthday without medical underwriting. Missing this window, or misunderstanding the rules, could mean fewer options and higher costs..

Let an Insurance Broker Help You Be Successful During Open Enrollment.

Sorting through Medicare options is not always simple. From understanding plan changes to meeting strict deadlines, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. An insurance broker can guide you through plan comparisons, explain how changes affect your coverage and budget, and make sure you stay on top of enrollment deadlines.

Instead of spending hours agonizing over these rules, let us help. Our team at Sackett Insurance is ready to be your health insurance broker. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us so we can help you get the coverage and support you deserve.