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Already on Medicare? Your Yearly Plan Review

Austin TylerLocal Kentucky Medicare agent · June 9, 2026 · 5 min read

Here's a habit that saves people money every year and almost nobody does: review your Medicare plan each fall. Plans change — and so does your health — so the plan that was perfect last year may not be this year. The good news: there's a built-in window to fix it.

The Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7

Every fall, this is your chance to change your coverage for the next year. During the Annual Enrollment Period you can:

Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
Join, switch, or drop a Part D drug plan.

Any change you make takes effect January 1. (Want the full calendar? See Medicare Enrollment Periods Explained.)

Read your "Annual Notice of Change" (ANOC)

Each September, your plan sends an Annual Notice of Change spelling out what's different next year — the premium, the deductible, the drug list, the network, the copays. Don't toss it. A plan can quietly change in ways that cost you hundreds, and the ANOC is your heads-up.

Your 4-point yearly check

Your drugs: is every prescription still covered, and at a good price? Drug lists (formularies) change yearly.
Your doctors & hospital: still in-network for next year? Networks change too.
Total cost, not just premium: add up premium + deductibles + expected copays. A $0-premium plan isn't cheapest if the copays are high.
Star rating & service: how is the plan rated, and how was your experience this year?

A second window: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment

If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan and realize after January that it isn't working, you get one more do-over from January 1 to March 31 — switch to another Advantage plan, or go back to Original Medicare with a Part D plan.

You don't have to do this alone.This is exactly what a local agent does — for free. Bring your plan, your medication list, and your doctors, and we'll check whether you're still in the best fit for next year. No pressure to switch if you're already in a good spot.

Common questions

When can I change my Medicare plan?

The main window is the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15–December 7, with changes effective January 1. If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, you also get a do-over January 1–March 31.

What is the Annual Notice of Change?

It's the document your plan sends each fall explaining what's changing next year — premium, drug list, network, and copays. Review it before the Annual Enrollment Period.

Should I review my plan even if I'm happy with it?

Yes. Plans change their costs, drug lists, and networks every year, so it's worth a quick check each fall to confirm it's still your best fit.

Does it cost anything to have an agent review my plan?

No. A licensed agent is paid by the insurance companies, not by you, so a yearly review is free.

Quick recap

Review your Medicare plan every fall — plans and your health both change.

The Annual Enrollment Period is October 15–December 7; changes take effect January 1.

Read your Annual Notice of Change (sent each September) to see what's different next year.

Check four things: your drugs, your doctors/hospital, your total cost, and the plan's rating.

In a Medicare Advantage plan? You get a second do-over window January 1–March 31.

Test what you learned

Five quick questions — pick an answer to see if you're right, and why.

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This article is general information, not advice for your specific situation, and Medicare rules and figures can change. 2026 amounts are from CMS. Tyler Insurance Group is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. For complete details on all your options, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.