If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), October 15 through December 7, is your one guaranteed window each year to compare your coverage against other options before your current plan automatically renews for 2027. Most people get letters and calls from insurers during these weeks, but rarely does anyone explain a clear, ordered process for deciding whether to stay or switch. This checklist walks you through it step by step, in the order that actually matters, so your decision is based on your specific situation rather than the flashiest benefit in the commercial.
Step 1: Read your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) in full
Your insurer must send you the ANOC by September 30, and it's the most important document you're likely to ignore if you don't know what to look for. It details changes to premiums, deductibles, copays, the provider network, the drug formulary, and extra benefits for the following year, compared to your current coverage. Read it comparing page by page what's changing, not just the summary on the first page. Our Annual Notice of Change guide breaks down each section of the ANOC in more detail.
Step 2: Compare the doctor and hospital network, not just the plan name
Confirm directly with the office of each doctor you regularly see — your primary doctor, your specialists, your preferred hospital — which plans they'll accept starting January 1, 2027. Provider networks change from year to year even within the same plan, so the network you checked last year is no guarantee of next year's network. Also verify your preferred pharmacy, since preferred pharmacy networks (with lower copays) get updated too.
Availability, cost, benefits, and eligibility vary by person, product, contract, and insurance company, as well as by your service area. Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Karla Arámburo is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or the federal government.
Step 3: Review your Part D drug coverage, medication by medication
It's not enough to confirm a plan 'includes Part D.' Review the plan's specific formulary for each of your current medications: which tier it's classified under, whether it requires prior authorization or step therapy, and what your estimated copay would be at the pharmacy you use. A tier change on a medication you take daily can mean hundreds of dollars a year in difference, even if the plan's monthly premium looks the same or lower.
Step 4: Compare extra benefits — dental, vision, hearing, and OTC
Many Medicare Advantage plans compete on extra benefits like dental, vision, and hearing coverage, non-emergency transportation, and an over-the-counter (OTC) benefits card. Compare the actual dollar amount available in each category, not just whether the benefit 'exists': a $50 quarterly OTC card isn't the same as a $150 one, and dental coverage with a low annual limit may not stretch to cover a crown or root canal.
Step 5: Check the plan's updated star rating
CMS publishes updated star ratings every fall, right before AEP, and they can rise or fall compared to the previous year. A lower rating doesn't mean the plan is 'bad,' but it's worth understanding which specific areas dropped — customer service, complaint handling, care quality — before automatically renewing. Our Medicare Advantage star ratings guide explains how to read these ratings in depth.
Step 6: Compare the total cost, not just the monthly premium
A plan's real cost over the year includes the monthly premium, the drug deductible, the copays and coinsurance you'll likely use based on your medical history, and the annual out-of-pocket maximum (MOOP). A $0-premium plan with an $8,500 out-of-pocket maximum can cost you far more in a year with a hospitalization than a plan with a modest premium and a $4,500 maximum. Run this calculation using your actual medical history from the past year as a reference, not a hypothetical year with no medical expenses.
Step 7: Decide and confirm your deadline
You can switch plans as many times as you want between October 15 and December 7; only your last choice counts, taking effect January 1, 2027. See our Medicare enrollment dates guide for the full calendar year, including the January-to-March Open Enrollment Period if you need one more change after AEP.
Bilingual, independent help in Southern California
Karla Arámburo is an independent, bilingual, California-licensed insurance agent who helps families in Carson, Cerritos and the rest of Southern California work through this checklist step by step during AEP, at no cost. As an independent agent, she isn't limited to one insurer, so the comparison is honest and doesn't depend on which company pays a better commission. You can call or text (619) 321-8733 or explore our Medicare services. This page is general education, not medical advice or a coverage guarantee; always verify details directly with the plan before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to do this checklist if I like my current plan?
Yes, because your plan can change even if you change nothing. The provider network, drug formulary, premiums, and even the star rating are updated every year, so 'I like my plan' this year doesn't guarantee it's still the best option next year. The ANOC tells you exactly what changed.
When should I start reviewing my ANOC?
Your insurer must send you the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) by September 30, so you have at least two weeks before AEP begins on October 15 to read it carefully and decide whether you need to compare other options.
What happens if I do nothing during AEP?
If you don't make any changes, your current plan automatically renews for the following year, under the terms described in your ANOC. The risk isn't losing coverage — it's staying with a network, formulary, or out-of-pocket cost that no longer works for you without having compared it.
Can I switch plans more than once during AEP?
Yes. During AEP you can switch plans as many times as you want between October 15 and December 7; only your last selection counts, and it takes effect January 1. Outside of AEP, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 through March 31) allows one additional change.
How do I know if my doctor will still be in-network next year?
Provider networks can change from year to year, so checking this year's network isn't enough. Confirm directly with your doctor's office which plans they'll accept in January, or get help verifying it before AEP ends.
What is the out-of-pocket maximum and why should I compare it?
It's the annual limit on what you'd pay in cost-sharing (copays, coinsurance) before the plan covers 100% for the rest of the year. Two plans with similar premiums can have very different out-of-pocket maximums, which matters a lot if you have a hospitalization or a complicated medical year.
Is it worth switching plans just for extras like OTC or dental?
It depends on how much you actually use those benefits. A generous OTC card benefit or broad dental coverage can represent real savings, but it should never be the only reason to switch plans without first confirming your doctor network and drug coverage also stay the same or improve.