Medicare decisions can feel like a lot. Between plan letters stacking up on the kitchen table, confusing insurance terms, and the fear of choosing wrong, it’s easy to feel like you’re in over your head — and you’re not alone. Millions of beneficiaries feel exactly the same way each fall.

The good news? You have time. Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period (OEP) runs from October 15 through December 7 every year. That’s your window to review your current coverage and make changes that take effect January 1, 2026. This guide will walk you through everything you need to do to get ready — step by step

Key Takeaways

• Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 – December 7 each year.
• Your plan’s costs, drug coverage, and provider network can change every January — even if you do nothing.
• Gathering a few key documents and updating your medication list are the most important first steps.
• Working with an independent Medicare broker like SRG Medicare costs you nothing and makes comparing plans simple.

Why You Need to Review Your Medicare Plan Every Year

It’s tempting to skip the annual review. Your plan worked last year, so why change anything?

Here’s the problem: Medicare plans are not static. Insurers can make significant changes from one year to the next, and those changes go into effect whether you review them or not. Specifically, watch out for:

• Premium increases — your monthly costs may have gone up
• Formulary changes — a drug you rely on may have moved to a higher cost tier or been dropped entirely from coverage
• Network shifts — your primary care doctor or specialist may no longer be in-network
• Benefit adjustments — extra benefits like dental, vision, or transportation may have been added, reduced, or removed

Doing nothing is still a choice — and it could cost you hundreds of dollars over the course of the year. A quick annual review is one of the simplest ways to protect your health and your wallet.

Step-by-Step Medicare Open Enrollment Preparation Checklist

You don’t need to do this all in one sitting. Work through each step at your own pace before December 7.

Step 1: Gather Your Current Plan Documents

Start by pulling together a few pieces of paper:

• Annual Notice of Change (ANOC): Your plan must mail this to you by September 30 each year. It lists every change coming in the new year — premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and drug coverage. If you haven’t received it, call your plan directly or log in to their website.
• Your current health and drug plan cards: Have these handy so you know exactly which plan you’re on and who the insurance carrier is.
• Your Medicare card: Keep this accessible for reference during any calls or comparisons.

Step 2: Update Your Medication List

This step is especially important if you take prescription drugs. Your Medicare Part D options for 2026 may cover your medications differently than this year.

Write down:

• Every prescription medication you currently take
• The exact dosage for each one
• Whether you prefer a specific pharmacy (retail, mail-order, or specialty)
• Any new prescriptions added since last year’s enrollment

With this list in hand, you — or a broker — can compare Part D plans quickly and find the one that covers your drugs at the lowest out-of-pocket cost.

Step 3: Think About What’s Changed in Your Life

Your health needs in 2025 may look very different from 2024. Before comparing plans, take a few minutes to think through any life or health changes that could affect your coverage needs next year:

• New diagnoses or chronic conditions that require more frequent doctor visits or new specialists
• Planned procedures or surgeries scheduled for 2026 that may require in-network hospitals or surgeons
• Travel plans — if you spend significant time in another state, you’ll want to confirm how your plan handles out-of-area care
• Changes in income — you may qualify for low-income subsidy programs that could reduce your drug costs significantly

4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Enrollment Ends

Use these as a quick gut-check before making any decisions:

• Did my premium go up? Check your ANOC and compare this year’s monthly cost to what you paid last year.
• Is my doctor still in-network? Call your doctor’s office directly or check your plan’s online directory — provider networks change frequently.
• Are all my medications still covered at the same tier? A drug that was Tier 2 last year might be Tier 3 or higher in 2026, which means higher co-pays.
• Am I getting the most value from my plan’s extra benefits? Many Medicare Advantage plans offer extras like gym memberships, meal delivery, or over-the-counter allowances. If you’re not using them, a different plan might offer benefits you’d actually use.

How SRG Medicare Makes This Easier

Medicare plan comparison is exactly the kind of task that sounds simple but gets complicated fast. There are dozens of plans available in most areas, each with its own premium, network, formulary, and benefit structure. Sorting through all of it on your own takes time — and it’s easy to miss something important.

That’s where SRG Medicare comes in.

SRG Medicare is an independent Medicare brokerage, which means the advisors here work for you — not for any single insurance company. They can compare plans across multiple carriers side by side, check whether your specific doctors and medications are covered, and help you find the plan that fits your health needs and your budget.

And here’s the part most people don’t realize: working with an independent Medicare broker costs you absolutely nothing. Brokers are compensated by the insurance carriers, so you get expert, personalized guidance at no charge.

Whether you’re new to Medicare or have been enrolled for years, SRG Medicare can help you walk into 2026 with confidence.

Ready to review your options? Contact SRG Medicare before December 7 to schedule your free plan comparison.

Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information. Plan availability varies by location. Beneficiaries should review all plan materials carefully before enrolling.