The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is an important opportunity to review your current coverage and make sure it still fits your needs. From October 15 through December 7, Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their Medicare Advantage and prescription drug coverage for the coming year.

Even if you're satisfied with your current plan, it can be worthwhile to take another look. Your health, prescriptions and budget may have changed over the past year. Medicare plans can change, too. Not sure whether you should schedule a Medicare review? Start by asking yourself these five questions.

1. Have your prescriptions changed?

Prescription drug coverage can vary significantly from one Medicare plan to another. If you've started taking a new medication, stopped taking one, or experienced an increase in prescription costs, it's worth reviewing your coverage.

Plans can also make changes to their formularies, which are the lists of prescription drugs they cover. Reviewing your medications alongside your plan's coverage for 2027 can help you better understand what you may pay in the year ahead.

2. Have your healthcare costs increased?

Premiums aren't the only costs to consider when evaluating Medicare coverage. Copays, deductibles, coinsurance and other out-of-pocket expenses can all affect what you spend on healthcare throughout the year.

If you've noticed your costs increasing, AEP provides an opportunity to compare your current coverage with other available options. Looking at the bigger picture can help you determine whether your plan continues to fit both your healthcare needs and your budget.

3. Are your preferred doctors and hospitals still in-network?

Being able to continue seeing the doctors and specialists you know and trust can be an important consideration when choosing Medicare coverage. Provider networks can change. A physician, specialist, hospital or other healthcare facility that participates in your plan today may not necessarily participate in the coming year.

Before renewing your coverage, check whether the providers you rely on will remain in-network for 2027. A Medicare review can help you evaluate your options with those relationships in mind.

4. Have your healthcare needs changed over the past year?

A lot can change in a year. Perhaps you've received a new diagnosis, started seeing a specialist or begun using healthcare services more frequently. Or maybe your health has improved and your priorities are different than they were when you last selected your coverage.

Your Medicare plan should reflect the care you need today. Reviewing your coverage during AEP gives you an opportunity to consider whether the benefits and services included in your current plan still align with your needs.

5. Is your current Medicare plan changing in 2027?

Your personal circumstances aren't the only reason to review your Medicare coverage. The plan itself may be changing. Medicare plans can make changes from one year to the next, including changes to costs, covered benefits, prescription drug coverage, and provider networks. That's why it's important to carefully review the information you receive from your plan about changes for the coming year.

Even if you haven't experienced any major changes in your health or finances, understanding what's changing with your plan can help you avoid surprises once your 2027 coverage begins.

You don't have to make a change to benefit from a review

Scheduling a Medicare review doesn't mean you have to switch plans. Sometimes the greatest value comes from confirming that your current coverage is still the right fit. The knowledgeable AAA Medicare team can review your current coverage, help you compare your options and explain things clearly so you can make an informed decision.

If your current plan continues to meet your needs, great. If another option may be a better fit, you'll have the information you need to decide what's right for you.

Make the most of Medicare Annual Enrollment Period

AEP only comes around once a year. Taking some time to review your coverage now can help you head into 2027 with greater confidence in your Medicare decisions. Whether your prescriptions have changed, your healthcare costs have increased, your providers have changed or you simply want to understand what your current plan will look like next year, AAA is here to help.

Schedule your no-cost, no-obligation Medicare review with AAA today.

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