When should my plan be reviewed?

Question

Mike Alexander · Accepted Answer

You should review every year, before Dec 7th.  
You should also make sure all your doctors take that plan

William Lawler · Answer

Your current Medicare plan should be reviewed each year. With an Advantage plan, you should do a review with your agent in August or September prior to the Annual Enrollment Period which runs Oct. 15 - Dec. 7.
States differ on Medigap plans. In Missouri, Medigap plans may be changed in your Anniversary month (the month you initially enrolled in the plan).

William Gray · Answer

It is a good practice to review your plan yearly. Many things change from the drugs you take, the formulary, the doctor networks, and even the hospitals that accept your coverage. 

That is, if you have Medicare Advantage, it is equally important to look at the costs of premium increases on Medicare supplement insurance policies. All policies are equal; they are standardized.  

So the premium is the only real difference.

Ellen Diehl · Answer

Assuming you have a plan G supplement you will never need to review that you will keep that year over a year over year. If you’re talking about your part D drug then you do that annually in the fall during AEP.

Answered by Ellen Diehl on March 2, 2026

Broker Licensed in GA

Answered by Ellen Diehl Medicare Insurance Agent

Sandra (Sandy) Steffy · Answer

You should always check your plans during annual open enrollment. The dates are October 15 through December 7 every year. During that time, you can switch your plan any way you would like.

Mitzi Davis · Answer

Hello!

Your plan should be reviewed by your agent/broker every year during Open Enrollment period. Which is October 15th-December 8th.

Rodney Powell · Answer

Great question — as with many things with Medicare, the answer is “it depends.”

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a stand-alone Part D drug plan, the main time to review it is during the Annual Election Period, which runs October 15 through December 7 each year.  That’s when you can switch plans, change drug coverage, or move back to Original Medicare.

If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan and realize it’s just not a good fit, there’s another option.  From January 1 through March 31, you get a second bite at the apple during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.  You can make one change — either switch to a different Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.

If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, the rules are more relaxed.  These plans can be reviewed at any time during the year because they aren’t tied to set enrollment periods like Advantage or Part D plans.

That said, if you live in one of the few states with a “birthday rule” or “anniversary rule,” there may be a specific window that’s especially important.  During that time, you may have Guaranteed Issue rights, which can make switching supplements easier and safer.

So — long answer to a simple question.  Medicare can be like that.  Hope it helps you !

Andrew Zurbuch, MBA · Answer

It if is a Medicare Advantage policy, then at least 1 time per year. If it is a Medigap Insurance policy 1 time per year or when you get a rate increase letter from your Insurance Company. You should considered your health. Meet with a Broker. Work with a Broker you can trust.

Plans are insured or covered by a Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO and PFFS) organization with a Medicare contract and/or a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare to get information on all of your options.

Leslie Kaz · Answer

Medicare isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it program. We review your plan at least once a year and anytime something changes with your medications, doctors, health, or budget. If you move or qualify for a special enrollment period, that’s another time we take a fresh look.

Answered by Leslie Kaz on December 9, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AZ & 7 other states

Answered by Leslie Kaz Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven A James, MBA · Answer

The time to review your plan and consider plan options for 2026 is now, during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, which occurs from October 15th to December 7th.  After which, no further changes may be made.

However, for those with Medicare Advantage Plans, they'll yet have another opportunity during the Medicare Advantage Plan Open Enrollment Period, which runs from January through March.  Once in April, you're essentially locked into your plan for the remainder of the calendar year.  Unless there's a qualifying event to be eligible for a Special Election Period.

Steven A James
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Dina Todd · Answer

Your plan should be reviewed yearly. Plans can change from year to year. It should also be reviewed when network changes are announced. Your physician could be out of network when contracts are not renewed with your insurance carrier. If you have an insurance broker, they can help you stay aware of any changes and navigate your options.

Answered by Dina Todd on May 18, 2026

Broker Licensed in NC

Answered by Dina Todd Medicare Insurance Agent

Nikki Cortinas · Answer

Once a year minimal is a great start, but I recommend my clients reach out with any changes in their doctors, medications, losing coverage, employment changes, new diagnosis, moving out of service area, or situation changes to ensure you are still on the best plan that fits your needs.

Answered by Nikki Cortinas on April 7, 2026

Agent Licensed in TX

Answered by Nikki Cortinas Medicare Insurance Agent

Marcie Barnes · Answer

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan a review should be done every early October.

If you have a Medicare Supplement plan it should be reviewed close to your birthday

Jack Mayer · Answer

At any time you can review your plan by contacting your agent. It's important to review during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 through December 7th because carriers make changes to the plans consumers have and they need to stay informed.

Answered by Jack Mayer on November 11, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA & NV

Answered by Jack Mayer Medicare Insurance Agent

Jaye Maxx Alexander II · Answer

You should take the time to review your plan at least twice a year. The plan should be reviewed whenever you have any life changes  .

Eizel Mere · Answer

Every year companies makes changes to the plans so every year you should have a review. The change for every company becomes effective Jan 1st of the following year. You have from Oct to Dec and Jan to March to review and change if you choose to. 
Another time to review your plan is of you move county, have a change in your Medicaid status or get diagnosed with a new condition that can qualify you for a plan with more conditions.

Michelle Ryan · Answer

The easy answer is annually during the annual enrollment period, Oct 15 - Dec 7th. It should also be reviewed if you have a life change such as moving, getting married, or qualify for a subsidy of any type, among other things. It is always best to ask your agent if a specific change will effect your plan.

Answered by Michelle Ryan on November 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in GA, AL, CO & FL, NC, SC & TN

Answered by Michelle Ryan Medicare Insurance Agent

Adam Paul · Answer

You should typically review it during the Annual Election Period (AEP), which is every year from October 15 to December 7.

Elliot Andrews · Answer

You should primarily review your plan yearly during the Annual Enrollment Period.  This window is from October 15th to December 7th.  Agents can begin discussing the upcoming plan year on October 1st, but no applications for this period can be submitted until October 15th.

If you are on a MediGap (Supplement) plan, it is also advised to review your coverage during this window OR during your birth month.  Many states have rules allowing you to make easy changes during that month.

You should also review your plan immediately if you move, have a significant health event, or become enrolled/disenrolled with state Medicaid or Federal Extra Help (LIS).

Amal Sahyoun · Answer

Yearly during the annual open enrollment period to check for any changes that might affect you.  Or, if you move out of the area or if your health changes & need to review your coverage

Pedro Rodriguez · Answer

The best time to do this is during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP):
📅 October 15 – December 7 each year.

During this period, you can:
	•	Review your current coverage (whether you have Original Medicare + Part D or a Medicare Advantage plan).
	•	Compare new plan options for the coming year.
	•	Switch plans, add or drop drug coverage, or move back to Original Medicare.
Any changes you make take effect January 1 of the next year.

⸻

🧭 You should also review your plan anytime your needs or costs change, such as:
	•	Your medications change or you start a new prescription.
	•	Your doctors or preferred hospitals are no longer in your plan’s network.
	•	You move to a new ZIP code or state (this can trigger a Special Enrollment Period).
	•	Your income changes and you may qualify for Extra Help or a Medicare Savings Program.
	•	Your plan announces premium or copay increases for the next year.

⸻

Tip:
Even if you’re happy with your plan, check each fall that it still covers your medications, doctors, and pharmacies — plans update their benefits and drug lists every year.

Michael Cavanaugh · Answer

Your plan should be reviewed every year between, Oct. 15th and Dec. 7th. Plans can change each year along with the benefits and cost, if any.

Bobbi Lincoln · Answer

You should do a reviewEvery year between October 15 and December 7 during Medicare annual enrollment period

Barbara Bolden · Answer

I would recommend, at the very least, review your plan yearly. Each year, plans change, but more importantly, your medical needs could also change. Reviewing your plan yearly would ensure you are always in the plan that's the right fit for you.

Answered by Barbara Bolden on November 12, 2025

Agent Licensed in NC, NY & SC

Answered by Barbara Bolden Medicare Insurance Agent

When should my plan be reviewed?

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