Happy With Your Medicare Plan? Here's Why It Still Pays to Check Before December 7
If you like your plan, it will usually renew on its own. But "nothing changed for me" doesn't always mean "nothing changed in my plan." Here's the one thing worth checking before December 7.
The short answer
No, you don't have to do anything. If your plan is continuing next year and you're happy with it, it will renew automatically on January 1.
But it's still a good idea to take 10 minutes to check one thing: your medications.
"Nothing changed for me" isn't the same as "nothing changed in my plan"
Every year, Medicare plans can change:
- the monthly costs;
- copays for Doctor visits and hospital stays;
- which Doctors and pharmacies are in the network;
- the list of covered drugs (called the formulary).
Your health may be exactly the same. You may take the same medicine you've taken for years. But if your plan removes that medicine from its list, or moves it to a more expensive tier, you'll pay more, or it may not be covered at all.
Why it matters to check now, not in January
Many people find out at the pharmacy counter in January, the first time they refill a prescription. By then, the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is over, and your options to change plans may be limited. You could be paying more for that medicine for the rest of the year.
If you check before December 7, you can still switch to a plan that covers your medications.
How to check in 3 steps
- Find your Annual Notice of Change. Your plan mailed it by the end of September. Look for the section about prescription drugs.
- Look up each medication on your plan's 2027 drug list (formulary). Check that it's still covered and at what tier.
- Check your Doctors and pharmacy are still in the network.
Not sure what you're looking at? That's normal. These documents are long. We can review them with you.
Frequently asked questions
If I'm happy with my Medicare plan, do I need to re-enroll?
No. If your plan is continuing, you stay in it automatically next year.
How do I know if my medication is still covered next year?
Check your plan's 2027 drug list (formulary) or the drug section of your Annual Notice of Change, or ask a licensed agent to check for you.
What happens if my medication is no longer covered in January?
You may have to pay more, ask your Doctor about another medicine, or request an exception from your plan. Your options to switch plans after December 7 may be limited.
When can I change my Medicare plan?
During the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7. The change starts January 1.
My costs went up. Should I switch?
Not always. Review your total costs (monthly costs, copays and medications) with other plans in your area. A licensed insurance agent can do this with you.
Does it cost anything to have my plan reviewed?
No. There is no cost to you to talk with us.
Want us to check your medications?
Call Steven Rukhman at (818) 438-0796 (TTY 711), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or book an annual review.
Steven Rukhman, Licensed Insurance Broker · CA License #0K08450 · SRB Insurance Services, Los Angeles County & Beyond
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 14 organizations which offer 87 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
