With AEP underway, it's worth taking an honest look at whether your current plan still fits your needs for 2027. Here's how to review your coverage before making a decision. Start With Your ANOC and EOC If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, your insurer was required to mail you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) by September 30 [1]. It arrives alongside or shortly before your Evidence of Coverage (EOC). Together, these two documents lay out exactly what's changing i

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is officially open, running October 15 through December 7. If you've been putting off a decision about your 2027 coverage, this is the window to make it. What AEP Actually Covers AEP is the yearly period when you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) [1][2]. It's the main opportunity most people get each year to change this type of coverage. Any changes made during

The Annual Enrollment Period moves fast once it opens, and the beneficiaries who feel calm and in control during AEP are almost always the ones who started before October 15. Use this checklist to get ahead of it. Before October 15 Watch your mail (and email) for your ANOC. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans must send it by September 30 [1]. Read your ANOC and EOC together and note any changes to premium, deductible, drug coverage, or network [1]. Pull together your medicati

Comparing Medicare plans side by side can feel overwhelming when every brochure claims to offer "more benefits" and "lower costs." The best way to cut through it is to walk into every comparison with the same set of questions. Here's what to ask. Questions About Cost What is the monthly premium, and is it different from what I pay today? What is the annual deductible, and does it apply to all services or just some? What is the plan's maximum out-of-pocket limit? This caps wha

Before you can decide whether to keep, adjust, or replace your Medicare coverage this fall, you need a clear picture of what you actually have right now. Here's how to give your current plan an honest look before AEP opens. Start With Your ANOC and EOC If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, your insurer is required to mail you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) by September 30 [1]. It arrives alongside or shortly before your Evidence of Coverage (EOC). Together, thes

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is around the corner, and it is time to begin preparing to review your coverage. This month we will be providing you with the information you need to be ready for AEP and feel confident in preparing for your 2027 coverage. Be sure to schedule your appointment with SGIA Medicare Consulting for AEP to review your coverage and see what your options are for 2027. What AEP Actually Covers AEP is the yearly window when you can join, switch, or dro

Preventive care is not just about staying healthy today, it is one of the most effective ways to protect your finances down the road. When you understand how prevention connects to cost, it changes the way you think about the coverage you already have. Early Detection Changes Outcomes Screenings for conditions like colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and cardiovascular disease exist specifically to catch problems while they are still manageable, often before symptoms even appea

Staying active is one of the best things you can do for your long-term health, and depending on the type of Medicare coverage you have, your plan may help more than you'd expect. The key is understanding where the line falls between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. What is Covered by Original Medicare Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover general gym memberships or fitness classes [1][3][4][5][7]. That said, it does cover several fitness-related services w

One of the most underused parts of Medicare is also one of the most valuable: preventive care that costs you nothing when you know where to look. Every year, beneficiaries leave benefits on the table simply because they don't realize the services are already included in their coverage. Free Annual Wellness Visit After your first 12 months of Part B coverage, you're entitled to a yearly wellness visit at no cost [2][7][8]. This isn't the same as a routine physical exam. Instea

Most people think about their Medicare coverage twice a year: once when they enroll, and again during the Annual Enrollment Period each fall. But mid-year is one of the most useful times to take a closer look at your plan, before the pressure of fall enrollment sets in and while you still have time to act on what you find. Pull claims history By this point in the year, you have six months of real claims data to work with, and that tells you far more than any plan brochure can

Most people know there's one key window to enroll in Medigap (Medicasre Supplement) without facing health questions or higher premiums: the six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period that begins when you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. But what many people don't realize is that your state may give you additional opportunities to switch or enroll, sometimes every single year. States with Continuous or Year-Round Protections Three states offer some of the strongest M

Choosing a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan isn't just about choosing the plan with the lowest premium or the most coverage. It's about finding the right fit for your specific health situation, your budget, and how you use healthcare. Here's a framework to help you think through the evaluation. 1. Start With Your Health Needs Look at how often you use healthcare. How many doctor visits, specialist appointments, or procedures do you typically have in a year? Do you take regu

How Supplemental Coverage Affects Out-of-Pocket Costs One of the most common questions people have about Medicare is: what will I actually owe? The answer depends significantly on whether, and how, you supplement your Original Medicare coverage. What You Owe Under Original Medicare Alone in 2026 Without supplemental coverage, here's what the numbers look like: Part B Premium: $202.90/month for most beneficiaries in 2026 Part B Deductible: $283 annually for 2026. After that, y

When you become eligible for Medicare, one of the biggest decisions you'll face is how to structure your coverage. For many people, it comes down to two paths: staying with Original Medicare and adding a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan, or enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). Both options have real advantages and there is no one right option for everyone. The SGIA Benefit Consultants can help you determine what is best for your unique health and financial needs

If you have Original Medicare, you already know that Part A covers hospital stays and Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient care. But there's something important to understand about how these two parts work together: they don't cover everything and may need to be supplemented. What is a Medicare Supplement Plan? Original Medicare pays a large share of your approved medical costs, but it typically leaves you responsible for 20% of outpatient services with no cap on what y

Many people believe October is the only time they can think about their Medicare coverage. This is a common misconception, and reviewing your plan mid-year can ensure your coverage is always what you need. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) only applies to Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D Prescription Drug Plans, while Medicare Supplement plans can be changed at any time. When Can You Make Changes Outside of AEP? Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Certain life events open

If you are managing two or more chronic conditions, Medicare has a program specifically designed to help, and most people have never heard of it. It is called Chronic Care Management (CCM), and it is a covered benefit under Medicare Part B. Who Qualifies? You may be eligible for CCM if you have two or more chronic conditions that: Are expected to last at least 12 months or for the rest of your life Place you at greater risk of serious health decline or death Common qualifyin

Medicare is not a set-it-and-forget-it program. Certain life changes can affect when you can enroll, what you pay, and what options are available to you. Here is what you need to know. Turning 65: Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a 7-month window: Starts 3 months before your birthday month Includes your birthday month Ends 3 months after your birthday month If you sign up in the first 3 months, coverage generally starts on the first day of your birthday month. If you s

Did you know that moving could affect your Medicare coverage? Before you start packing boxes, here is what you need to know. If You Have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plan Medicare Advantage plans are tied to a specific service area. If you move outside that area, your plan generally will not cover routine care at your new location, although emergency and urgently needed care are always covered anywhere in the U.S. Moving outside your plan's service area triggers a Special

There are more ways to save on your Medicare prescriptions than most people realize. Here's what to know. All month we've been walking through how Medicare Part D works, from formularies to tiers to making sure your medications are covered. We're wrapping up May with something just as important: the practical tools and programs that can lower what you actually pay at the pharmacy. 1. Ask Your Doctor About Generics or Biosimilars Generic drugs are copies of brand-name drugs