Medicare AEP Checklist: 10 Steps Before Open Enrollment Ends

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7 every year. It’s 7 weeks long — which sounds like plenty of time. But most people wait until the last minute, rush their decision, and end up overpaying or stuck with a plan that doesn’t serve them well for the entire year.

This AEP checklist gives you the 10 specific steps to complete before open enrollment ends December 7. Work through them in order and you’ll head into the new year with the right plan.

Why AEP Is the Most Important Medicare Decision You’ll Make This Year

During AEP you can: switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare (or vice versa); switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another; join, switch, or drop a Part D drug plan. All changes take effect January 1.

If you don’t make changes, you stay in your current plan — even if that plan’s premium went up, benefits were reduced, or your doctor left the network. Miss December 7? You’re locked in until next October 15 (except for qualifying Special Enrollment Period events).

The Complete Medicare AEP Checklist

Step 1: Read Your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)

Every September, your current plan mails you an Annual Notice of Change documenting every change for next year — premium increases, benefit reductions, network changes, formulary updates. What to look for: premium changes (even $10-20/mo = $120-240/year), drug formulary tier changes, dental/vision/OTC benefit changes, MOOP changes, and network changes. Most people throw this away. Don’t.

Step 2: Verify Your Doctors Are Still In-Network

Networks change every year. Call each doctor you use regularly: “Do you accept [your plan name] for next year?” Don’t rely on online directories — they’re often outdated. Verify your primary care physician, specialists, preferred hospital, and preferred labs/imaging centers.

Step 3: Run Your Medications Through the Plan Finder

Formularies change annually. A medication that was Tier 2 (preferred generic) this year could be Tier 4 (non-preferred) next year — dramatically increasing what you pay. Go to medicare.gov/plan-compare, enter all your medications with dosage and quantity, and compare your current plan’s drug costs to alternatives. This step alone can save hundreds or thousands annually.

Step 4: Check Your Plan’s Star Rating

CMS releases updated star ratings every fall, timed for AEP. 4-5 stars: keep or enroll. 3-3.5 stars: there are likely better options in your area. Below 3 stars: strong signal to switch. Check at medicare.gov/plan-compare.

Step 5: Calculate Total Annual Cost — Not Just the Premium

The #1 mistake Medicare beneficiaries make: choosing a plan based on monthly premium alone. A $0/month plan can cost you more than a $100/month plan when you add deductibles, copays, drug costs, and out-of-pocket exposure. The Medicare Plan Finder calculates “Estimated Annual Drug and Premium Cost” that accounts for all of this. Use that number — not the premium — as your primary comparison metric.

Step 6: Review Supplemental Benefits

Most Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision, and hearing benefits — but the generosity varies dramatically. Compare: dental annual maximum (does it cover crowns and dentures, or just cleanings?); vision eyewear allowance; hearing aid coverage (hearing aids cost $2,000-6,000 out of pocket); OTC allowance per quarter; transportation to medical appointments; gym membership (SilverSneakers?). Real cash value of these benefits: $1,000-3,000/year.

Step 7: Consider Your Health Trajectory for Next Year

AEP planning isn’t just about this year — it’s about what you expect next year. Upcoming surgeries or procedures? New or worsening chronic condition? More specialist visits expected? Starting new high-cost medications? If you expect more intensive healthcare use, prioritize lower out-of-pocket plans even if the premium is higher. The math usually favors it.

Step 8: Talk to a Licensed Independent Medicare Broker

This is the step most people skip — and the one that saves them the most money. An independent broker: compares all plans in your area (not just one carrier); runs your medications through each formulary; verifies doctor network participation; finds the best total annual cost for your situation; does all this in 20-30 minutes; charges you absolutely nothing. Independent brokers are compensated by the insurance company — not you. Use them.

Step 9: Enroll — Don’t Just “Think About It”

If you’ve found a better plan, enroll before December 7. Enroll at medicare.gov, the plan’s website, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE, or through a licensed broker. If you decided to stay in your current plan after reviewing everything — that’s a valid choice, as long as you made it consciously with full information.

Step 10: Set Calendar Reminders for Next Year’s AEP

Right now, set recurring reminders: September 15 — “Read Annual Notice of Change when it arrives”; October 15 — “AEP opens today, start comparing plans”; November 30 — “One week left in AEP, enroll if you haven’t”; December 7 — “AEP closes today.” Future-you will thank present-you.

AEP Timeline Summary

1. Read ANOC (15 min) → 2. Verify doctors in-network (20-30 min) → 3. Run medications through Plan Finder (15-20 min) → 4. Check star rating (5 min) → 5. Calculate total annual cost (10 min) → 6. Review supplemental benefits (10 min) → 7. Consider health trajectory (10 min) → 8. Talk to Medicare broker (20-30 min) → 9. Enroll (10 min) → 10. Set calendar reminders (2 min).

Total: About 2 hours. Most Medicare beneficiaries pay thousands more per year because they didn’t spend 2 hours during AEP. Don’t be that person.