Medicare Open Enrollment: What to gather Before Oct 15
Medicare Monday: Medicare made clear
Medicare Open Enrollment can feel like a lot of information arriving all at once.
A better first step is to gather the information that reflects how you actually use your Medicare coverage.
Medicare Open Enrollment runs each year from October 15 through December 7. During this period, people with Medicare can make certain changes to Medicare Advantage and Medicare drug coverage for the following year. Changes submitted by December 7 generally take effect January 1.
Reviewing your coverage does not mean you have to change it. It simply gives you an opportunity to understand what you have, see what may be changing and decide whether your current coverage still fits your needs.
Before Open Enrollment begins, gather these five things.
Your complete prescription list
Write down every prescription you take, including:
• The exact medication name
• The dosage
• How often you take it
• Whether you use a brand-name or generic version
• Any prescription you expect to begin or stop, if known
Do not rely on memory alone. Medicare drug plans have their own lists of covered medications, called formularies, and coverage rules can vary by plan. A written list makes it easier to check whether your prescriptions are covered and compare estimated drug costs.
Medicare.gov’s Plan Compare tool allows you to add medications and pharmacies when reviewing available Medicare health and drug plans.
Your preferred pharmacies
Make a list of the pharmacies you use now and any alternatives you would consider.
A pharmacy may be in a plan’s network without being a preferred in-network pharmacy. Depending on the plan, using a preferred pharmacy may affect what you pay out of pocket. Some plans may also offer mail-order options or longer supplies for certain covered medications.
Consider what matters most to you:
• Is the pharmacy close to home?
• Does it offer delivery?
• Would you consider mail order?
• Is convenience more important than a possible cost difference?
• Do you spend part of the year in another state?
Your doctors, specialists and facilities
Write down the doctors, specialists, hospitals and other facilities that are important to you.
If you are reviewing Medicare Advantage options, provider networks deserve careful attention. A provider who participates in one plan may not participate in another, and networks can change. Confirm participation with both the plan and the provider before making a final decision.
Also include:
• Specialists you see regularly
• Preferred hospitals or health systems
• Physical therapy, mental health or other recurring services
• Medical equipment suppliers
• Travel or multi-state care needs
Your current plan documents and notices
Keep your Medicare card, current plan information and recent plan notices together.
If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan, look for the Annual Notice of Change, often called the ANOC. Plans send this notice each fall to explain changes in coverage, costs and other plan details that will take effect in January. Review the Evidence of Coverage as well for more detail about how the plan works.
Pay particular attention to possible changes involving:
• Monthly premiums
• Deductibles
• Copayments or coinsurance
• Prescription coverage
• Pharmacy networks
• Provider networks
• Prior authorization or other coverage rules
• Benefits you regularly use
If you have health or drug coverage through an employer, former employer, union or another group, contact the appropriate benefits administrator before making changes. Joining or leaving other Medicare coverage could affect benefits you may not be able to restore.
Your priorities for the coming year
The plan with the longest benefits list is not automatically the best fit for your life. Decide what matters most to you before you begin comparing options.
Your priorities may include:
• Keeping specific doctors or specialists
• Coverage for particular prescriptions
• Pharmacy convenience
• Predictable monthly or out-of-pocket costs
• Access to care while traveling
• Dental, vision, hearing or other benefits you expect to use
• Fewer administrative steps for ongoing care
Writing down your top three priorities can help keep the conversation focused.
Questions to bring to your Medicare review
Once your information is organized, bring these questions:
• Are all of my prescriptions covered?
• What are the estimated monthly and yearly costs for my medications?
• Are my preferred pharmacies in network or preferred?
• Are my doctors and facilities in the plan’s network, when a network applies?
• What premiums, deductibles, copayments and coinsurance should I understand?
• Are prior authorization, step therapy or quantity limits relevant to my care?
• What changes will take effect next year?
• How would this option work when I travel or receive care outside my local area?
• Which additional benefits would I realistically use?
A clearer review starts with better information
Open Enrollment is not a requirement to change plans. It is an opportunity to make sure you understand your current coverage and the choices available for the coming year.
Start by gathering your prescriptions, pharmacies, providers, plan documents and priorities. Once those pieces are together, comparing your options can feel much more manageable.
If you have Medicare questions or would like help preparing for a review, send me a message through Ask April Mai. I can help you understand what to compare and what questions to ask before you make a decision.
This article provides general educational information and is not individualized insurance advice. Ask April Mai is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Plan availability, formularies, networks, costs and benefits vary by plan and location. Information current as of September 7, 2026.
Official Medicare resources
Medicare Open Enrollment: https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/open-enrollment
Medicare Plan Compare: https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/
Medicare drug coverage: https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/part-d/what-drug-plans-cover
Plan Annual Notice of Change: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/forms-publications-mailings/mailings/costs-and-coverage/upcoming-plan-changes
