A step-by-step guide to getting ready for AEP before the fall rush begins.

If the last few weeks of Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period always feel like a scramble, you're not alone. AEP runs October 15 through December 7, and the smartest way to approach it isn't to wait until it opens — it's to spend a little time now, while things are quiet, getting ready.

Step 1: Mark the Dates

Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7 this year. Any changes you make take effect January 1. Missing the window means waiting for the next enrollment opportunity, so it's worth having the dates on your calendar now.

Step 2: Ask Yourself a Few Honest Questions

Before you compare a single plan, it helps to reflect on how this year actually went:

● Has your health changed this year?

● Have you traveled more, moved, or started splitting time between homes or states?

● Are you comfortable with your plan's costs, or have they crept up without you noticing?

Step 3: Understand What You're Allowed to Change

During AEP, you can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, move from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare (or the reverse), or change your standalone Part D prescription drug plan. Any change you make during this window takes effect January 1 of the following year.

Step 4: Don't Rely on Star Ratings Alone

Plan quality ratings are a helpful starting point, but they're only one piece of the picture — especially this year, as some ratings are being reviewed and recalculated behind the scenes. What matters most is how a plan actually performs for your specific doctors, medications, and health needs, not just its overall score.

Step 5: Put a Review on the Calendar

You don't have to wait until October 15 to start the conversation. Scheduling a plan review in September means you'll walk into AEP already knowing your options, rather than trying to research everything in a two-week window.

Alan Roy is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.

Have questions about how this applies to your situation? Alan offers free, no-pressure consultations. Call (941) 529-7256 or visit truecarehs.info.

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