Annual Enrollment Period: Why Reviewing Your MAPD Plan Every Year Matters

Because your life changes—and your Medicare plan should, too.

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” — Albert Einstein

You picked a Medicare Advantage (MAPD) plan. Maybe it worked well last year. Maybe you barely had to think about it. But here’s the truth: Medicare Advantage is not a “set it and forget it” deal.

That’s why the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) exists—so you have a chance to pause, check in, and realign your plan with your current needs. And trust us: this little annual habit can save you money, hassle, and unexpected headaches.

Let’s walk through why reviewing your MAPD plan during AEP is one of the smartest moves you can make each year.

📆 What Is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)?

October 15 – December 7 is your golden window! During AEP, Medicare beneficiaries can:

✅ Switch to a different Medicare Advantage (MAPD) plan
✅ Leave MAPD and go back to Original Medicare
✅ Add or change a standalone Part D drug plan
✅ Adjust coverage—without penalties

📌 Changes take effect January 1 of the following year. So what you do in the fall sets the tone for your entire next year.

💡 Why You Should Review Your Plan—Every Year

Just because your plan worked last year doesn’t mean it still fits today. Plans change. Life changes. And when you ignore those shifts, it can cost you.

Here’s what can change in your MAPD plan from year to year:

• Monthly premiums

• Copays for doctor visits, ER, or prescriptions

• Network providers (your favorite doctor may no longer participate!)

• Drug coverage (your medications may be dropped)

• Extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, OTC, and transportation

• Medicare Star Ratings (which measure service and plan quality)

⚠️ If you don’t review your plan, you might end up with higher costs, fewer benefits, or worse—losing access to the care you trust.

🩺 Life Changes That Could Affect Your Plan Choice

Even if your plan hasn’t changed, you might have! Ask yourself:

• Have I been diagnosed with any new conditions?

• Am I taking new or more expensive medications?

• Do I plan to travel more or live in another state part of the year?

• Has my income changed, affecting my eligibility for Extra Help or Medicaid?

• Am I even using the extras (like dental, vision, OTC) my plan includes?

🧭 Sometimes even subtle shifts make a different plan a much better fit.

❗ Real Example: The Cost of Skipping a Review

Meet Margaret, age 72. She skipped her AEP review last year because everything seemed fine. Come January, her blood pressure medication jumped from $10/month to $80/month—because it was dropped from her plan’s formulary.

By then, it was too late to switch, and she was stuck paying more for the entire year.

💬 Moral of the story? A 15-minute review in the fall can prevent 12 months of regret.

🤝 How C & K Healthcare Advisors Makes AEP Easy

At C & K, your AEP review is quick, friendly, and pressure-free:

✅ We compare plans available in your ZIP code
✅ We check your doctors, medications, and pharmacies
✅ We show you what changed in your current plan
✅ We help you discover better-rated or more affordable options
✅ We help you switch smoothly—if it makes sense

And if your current plan is still the best? You’ll know with total confidence.

😴 What Happens If I Don’t Review My Plan?

If you do nothing during AEP:

• Your current plan will automatically renew

• Your premium, benefits, and network may change without warning

• You could lose coverage for a medication or doctor without realizing it

📬 At the very least, review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) in the mail—and better yet, let one of our licensed advisors help you double-check everything.

💙 Trusted Care. Tailored for You. Every Year.

At C & K Healthcare Advisors, we believe Medicare should be proactive, not reactive. That’s why we don’t just help you enroll—we help you grow with your plan.

During AEP, we take time to understand your goals, your health, and your budget—so we can make sure your Medicare plan grows with you, not against you.

🌟 Final Thought:

You only get one window a year to make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan. Make the most of it—with trusted guidance, honest answers, and real peace of mind.

Let C & K Healthcare Advisors help you get it right—this year and every year.