Avoid These 5 Common Medicare Mistakes

Learn from others so you don’t pay the price—literally!

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” — Benjamin Franklin

Let’s face it—Medicare can feel like alphabet soup, paperwork overload, and a ticking clock all rolled into one. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure it out alone.

At C & K Healthcare Advisors, we’ve seen it all—and we’re here to make sure you don’t stumble into the most common (and costly) traps that trip up thousands of new enrollees every year.

Here are the top five Medicare mistakes—and how you can avoid them like a pro.

🚫 1. Missing Your Enrollment Window

The Mistake:
Waiting too long to enroll in Medicare when you first become eligible.

The Consequences:

• A 10% Part B penalty for every year you delay

• A 1% Part D penalty per month without drug coverage

• These penalties are for life—not a one-time fee

How to Avoid It:
Start planning early! Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) begins 3 months before your 65th birthday and lasts 7 months. Still working? Let’s talk! Our advisors can help you coordinate your group coverage and avoid any surprises.

😬 2. Assuming Medicare Covers Everything

The Mistake:
Thinking Medicare is all-inclusive, like a magic healthcare umbrella. It’s not.

What’s Not Covered:

• Dental, vision, and hearing

• Long-term care (like nursing homes or assisted living)

• Prescription drugs (unless you have Part D or MAPD)

• Out-of-pocket maximums with Original Medicare (there aren’t any!)

The Risk:
These gaps can lead to thousands in unexpected bills—often during times when you're already managing a health issue.

How to Avoid It:
Partner with a C & K advisor to customize your coverage. We’ll walk you through Medigap, Medicare Advantage, and supplemental plans like HIP (Hospital Indemnity) and CHAS (Cancer, Heart Attack, Stroke) to protect you where Medicare doesn’t.

🩺 3. Not Checking Your Provider Network

The Mistake:
Enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan without confirming your doctors and hospitals are in-network.

The Consequences:

• Higher bills for out-of-network care

• Losing access to preferred providers

• Needing referrals or prior authorizations that delay your care

How to Avoid It:
Before signing up for an MAPD plan, let us double-check your provider list. If staying with your favorite doctors is your top priority, a Medigap plan might be the better fit.

🔁 4. "Set It and Forget It" Syndrome

The Mistake:
Signing up for a plan and never reviewing it again.

The Consequences:

• You miss out on better benefits or lower-cost options

• Coverage may change (and not in your favor)

• Prescription costs could skyrocket if your plan drops a med

How to Avoid It:
Use the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) from October 15 – December 7 to review your plan each year. Not sure what’s changed? C & K Healthcare Advisors offers complimentary annual plan reviews to make sure you stay protected and on budget.

🧾 5. Going It Alone (a.k.a. the DIY Disaster)

The Mistake:
Choosing a Medicare plan based on a mailer, a friend’s advice, or an outdated blog post.

The Consequences:

• You end up with coverage that doesn’t fit your needs

• You might overpay or miss out on important benefits

• Fixing the mistake can be time-consuming—and expensive

How to Avoid It:
Let’s take the guesswork out of the process. At C & K, we provide personalized, one-on-one guidance at zero cost to you. We help you make educated decisions that feel easy and stress-free.

🛑 Bonus Tip: Don’t Rely Solely on Employer Coverage After 65

Still working and thinking you don’t need Medicare yet? Careful! If you don’t coordinate properly, you could face coverage gaps or penalties down the road.

✅ Talk to your HR department
✅ Consult with a C & K Medicare specialist to get a full picture

💬 Final Thought:

Medicare doesn’t have to be stressful—and it definitely shouldn’t be expensive because of preventable mistakes. At C & K Healthcare Advisors, we’re here to make your transition into Medicare seamless, confident, and downright empowering.