How to Find the Right Medicare Plan During AEP 2025
🧭 How to Find the Right Medicare Plan During AEP 2025
Choosing the right Medicare plan doesn’t have to be confusing. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is your once-a-year chance to ensure your health coverage is perfectly aligned with your needs for the coming year.
At PNJ Insurance Solutions, we help you compare top options and make informed decisions this AEP.
What is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), also sometimes called "Open Enrollment," is a critical time for millions of beneficiaries.
AEP begins: October 15
AEP ends (Deadline): December 7
New coverage starts: January 1, 2026
During AEP, you have the flexibility to make several key coverage changes, including:
Switching between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C).
Changing from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another.
Enrolling in, switching, or dropping a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D).
3 Critical Steps to Choose Your 2026 Plan
Even if you’re happy with your current plan, Medicare costs, benefits, and provider networks can change every year. Taking these three steps will help you avoid unwelcome surprises in January.
Step 1: Review Your Current Coverage for Changes
Your current plan will send you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and an Evidence of Coverage (EOC) in September. You must read these documents!
Check Plan Costs: Review changes to premiums, deductibles, copayments, and the out-of-pocket maximum for 2026.
Check Prescription Drugs: Check the Part D plan's formulary (list of covered drugs). Are your medications still covered, and are the copays affordable?
Check Provider Network: Did your doctors, specialists, or preferred hospital leave the plan’s network? This is critical for most Medicare Advantage plans.
Step 2: Create Your "Must-Have" Checklist
If your current plan is changing or no longer meets your needs, use this checklist to compare new options:
Provider Network: Confirm your primary care physician and specialists are in-network with the new plan.
Prescription Drugs: Compare the plan's formulary and the associated cost-sharing (copays/coinsurance) for your specific medications.
Total Costs: Compare the Out-of-Pocket Maximum (the most you'll pay in a year), plus deductibles, and co-pays.
Extra Benefits (Part C): Look for valuable benefits like dental, vision, hearing, fitness programs (e.g., SilverSneakers®), and over-the-counter (OTC) allowances.
Star Rating: Aim for a plan with a 4- or 5-Star Rating for better benefits and overall quality.
Step 3: Get Expert, Personalized Help
Medicare is complex, and choosing the wrong plan can be costly. If you’re overwhelmed by the options, don't go it alone.
A licensed, independent insurance advisor, like those at PNJ Insurance Solutions, can provide:
Unbiased Comparisons: We look across many different insurance carriers to find the plans that truly fit your unique health and financial situation.
Doctor & Drug Verification: We can check in minutes to make sure your doctors and prescriptions are covered under any plan you consider.
Simplified Enrollment: We handle the paperwork and logistics, ensuring your new coverage is locked in before the December 7th deadline.
💡 The PNJ Insurance Solutions Advantage
Choosing the right Medicare plan doesn't have to be a source of stress. Our team of experts specializes in simplifying Medicare, translating the jargon, and helping you feel confident in your choice. We focus on finding the value—not just the lowest premium—to ensure you have the coverage you need when you need it most.
Ready to find your best-fit Medicare plan for 2026?
Don't wait until the last minute! Contact PNJ Insurance Solutions today for a free, no-obligation review of your Medicare options.
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