Countdown to Medicare Advantage Enrollment - What You Need to Know

Every fall, Medicare opens its doors for a short time. From October 15 through December 7, you get the chance to review your coverage, switch plans, or add benefits. But here’s the catch: if you do nothing, you could pay more next year, lose access to your favorite doctor, or find out too late that your prescriptions aren’t covered.

At Senior Help and You, we see this happen every year—and it’s heartbreaking because it’s 100% avoidable. Let’s break down how to get ready for Open Enrollment so you’re not caught by surprise.

3 Key Points Up Front:

• Enrollment runs Oct 15 – Dec 7.

• Plans, costs, and networks change every year.

• A quick review now can save you money and stress.

Think of Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment like checking your car before a long trip. If you don’t pop the hood, you may not know what’s broken until you’re stranded on the road.

Here’s what we see most often:

• Prescriptions suddenly cost more. One of our clients, Mr. Lopez, discovered his cholesterol medication moved to a higher tier. Without reviewing, he would’ve paid an extra $800 in 2024.

• Doctors drop out of networks. Another client, Mrs. Harris, was shocked to learn her primary care doctor no longer accepted her plan. She either had to switch doctors or change her plan.

• New perks are hiding in plain sight. Every year, insurance companies add extras—like dental, vision, hearing, gym memberships, and even grocery benefits. But you don’t automatically get them unless you’re in the right plan.

Why does this happen? Because Medicare plans are contracts between Medicare and private insurance companies, and those contracts change every year. Premiums go up, networks shrink or expand, drug formularies are adjusted or plans are eliminated. According to Medicare.gov, people who compare their coverage every year save an average of $600 annually—but many seniors don’t bother to look. That’s money left on the table.

The problem is, most folks think “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But with Medicare, what looks fine now may be a hidden problem waiting to show up at the pharmacy counter or the doctor’s office. Doing a quick review—just once a year—can protect your wallet and your health.

You don’t need to become a Medicare expert—that’s our job. What you do need is to review your plan before December 7.

👉Download our free Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Checklist here to make sure you’re covered for 2025.

Or, call 520-252-5275 and let us walk you through it step by step. At Senior Help and You dba AJF Insurance Services,we make Medicare simple so you can get back to living life.

3 Takeaways:

• AEP runs Oct 15 – Dec 7—don’t miss it.

• Doctors, prescriptions, and costs change every year.

• A simple review could save you hundreds.

References: Medicare.gov, ModernHealthcareNews
Author: Albert Ferrin, RSSA®, Founder of Senior Help and You, LLC