The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15th through December 7th, and it’s one of the most important times of year for Medicare beneficiaries. After helping hundreds of clients navigate Medicare enrollment over my 16 years in the industry, I’ve seen the same costly mistakes repeated year after year.
Don’t let these common oversights derail your Medicare coverage for 2026. Here are the five most critical mistakes to avoid this enrollment period—and the essential questions you need to ask before making any changes.
Mistake #1: Ignoring Premium Changes
The Problem: Many Medicare beneficiaries assume their plan costs will remain the same year after year. This assumption can lead to budget surprises when January arrives.
The Solution: Always ask yourself: What are my new premiums? Plan costs can change significantly from year to year, sometimes increasing by $20, $50, or even $100 per month. Your current $0 premium Medicare Advantage plan might not be $0 next year, and your Medicare Supplement premium could see adjustments based on your age and the insurance company’s rate changes.
Action Step: Review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) carefully, or contact me directly to review your premium changes together. Sometimes a small increase in premium can be offset by better benefits or lower out-of-pocket costs.
Mistake #2: Overlooking Benefit Changes
The Problem: Medicare plans regularly adjust their benefit structures, and what was covered this year might not be covered—or covered the same way—next year.
The Solution: Ask the critical question: Are there any major benefit changes to my plan? For example, what are my new copays for 2026? Your $20 primary care visit might increase to $30, or your $300 emergency room copay could jump to $400. Some plans also change their deductibles, coinsurance amounts, or out-of-pocket maximums.
Action Step: Compare your current copays and coinsurance amounts with the new year’s structure. If you use certain services frequently—like physical therapy, specialist visits, or diagnostic tests—pay special attention to how those costs might change.
Mistake #3: Failing to Verify Network Changes
The Problem: This is perhaps the most disruptive mistake. Assuming your doctors will remain in your plan’s network can lead to unexpected out-of-network charges or the need to find new healthcare providers.
The Solution: Always confirm: Are there any major network changes? Can I still see my same doctors? Insurance companies regularly negotiate with healthcare providers, and sometimes these negotiations don’t go well. Your trusted cardiologist or the hospital where you prefer to receive care might no longer be covered under your plan.
Action Step: Contact your doctors’ offices directly to verify they’ll still accept your plan for 2026, or ask me to help verify your provider network. It’s much easier to change plans during AEP than to change doctors mid-year.
Mistake #4: Not Reviewing Prescription Drug Coverage
The Problem: Prescription drug coverage changes frequently. The medication that was covered with a $10 copay this year might move to a higher tier with a $50 copay next year—or might not be covered at all.
The Solution: Examine carefully: How are my prescriptions (Part D) going to be covered? This applies whether you have a Medicare Advantage plan with built-in drug coverage or a separate Part D plan alongside your Medicare Supplement.
Action Step: Make a complete list of all your current medications, including dosages, and review how each will be covered in 2026. Pay attention to any medications moving to different tiers, requiring prior authorization, or being removed from coverage entirely. Sometimes switching to a different plan can save you hundreds of dollars annually on prescriptions alone.
Mistake #5: Not Checking for Removed Benefits
The Problem: Medicare plans often add new benefits to attract members, but they can also remove benefits that were valuable to current members. That dental coverage, over-the-counter allowance, or gym membership benefit you’ve been using might disappear.
The Solution: Ask yourself: Did my plan remove any benefits that I am currently using? This is especially important for Medicare Advantage plans, which often include extra benefits beyond what Original Medicare covers.
Action Step: Review your Summary of Benefits carefully, looking specifically for benefits you’ve used this year. If important benefits are being removed, it might be time to consider switching to a plan that still offers them.
The Cost of Inaction
Here’s what many people don’t realize: if you don’t actively review and potentially change your Medicare coverage during AEP, you’re essentially choosing to keep your current plan with all its 2026 changes—whether those changes work in your favor or not.
I’ve seen clients who could have saved $1,200 per year on prescriptions if they had switched plans, and others who ended up paying out-of-network costs because they didn’t verify their doctors were still covered. These aren’t small oversights—they can impact your health and your wallet significantly.
Your Next Steps
The Annual Enrollment Period might seem long at nearly two months, but it goes by quickly, especially during the busy holiday season. Don’t wait until December 6th to start reviewing your options.
As a Medicare specialist with 16 years of experience, I’ve helped hundreds of clients avoid these common mistakes and find coverage that truly fits their needs and budget. Every client receives personal attention and dedicated time to discuss their specific situation—at no cost, of course.
Ready to review your Medicare options for 2026? Contact me directly at 763-515-3200 to schedule your complimentary consultation*. Together, we’ll ensure you’re making informed decisions that protect both your health and your financial well-being.
Remember: Changes you make during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15th – December 7th) take effect January 1st. Don’t let another year go by without ensuring your Medicare coverage is working as hard as you do.
*Note: Due to Medicare regulations, we cannot discuss 2026 Medicare options until October 1st.