Reviewed by a licensed Gala Health insurance agent · Updated August 21, 2026
Your Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Checklist
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can change premiums, formularies, provider networks, pharmacies, copays, allowances, and operating rules each year. A structured Annual Enrollment review helps you compare next year’s coverage using current information instead of assuming today’s plan will remain the same.
Call Gala Health · 934-222-5466Why a structured annual review helps
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period generally runs from October 15 through December 7, with approved changes typically effective January 1. Start by reading your plan’s Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage. Your best choice depends on the exact plan, plan year, county, providers, prescriptions, expected care, travel needs, budget, and eligibility.
Practical checklist
Read the Annual Notice of Change line by line and highlight changes to premiums, medical cost sharing, benefits, networks, formularies, pharmacies, referrals, and prior authorization.
Update every prescription name, dosage, frequency, and preferred pharmacy; then price the list using the coming year’s formulary and pharmacy network.
Verify doctors, specialists, hospitals, laboratories, and other important providers against the exact plan and practice location.
Compare estimated annual spending—not premium alone—including deductibles, copays, coinsurance, drug costs, benefit limits, and maximum out-of-pocket exposure.
Do not compare only premiums or extra benefits
Marketing summaries are not the full contract. Review the official Summary of Benefits, Evidence of Coverage, provider directory, formulary, and notices. Confirm important details directly with the plan, provider, and pharmacy before submitting an enrollment request.
Your Annual Enrollment checklist
Estimate next year’s total costs
Estimate a routine year and a higher-use year. Review premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, drug tiers, benefit limits, and maximum medical exposure together.
Use current plan-year documents
Review official Annual Enrollment information at Medicare.gov. Use Gala Health’s plan review checklist and guide to reviewing the Annual Notice of Change.
This article provides general educational information and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Enrollment rights, plan availability, benefits, costs, and eligibility vary by location and individual circumstances.
Organize your annual plan review
A licensed Gala Health agent can help you organize your doctors, prescriptions, pharmacies, expected costs, and priorities before comparing the Medicare plans Gala Health represents. There is no obligation to enroll.
Request a plan review