AEP Preparation Checklist

Cassidy Clark

Sep 21

2 min read

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 medication list: names, dosages, and how often you fill them.
Confirm your must-keep doctors and facilities, so you can check them against any plan you're considering.
Think through the year you've had: any new diagnoses, procedures, or medications that change what you'll need in the year ahead.
Schedule time with a licensed benefit consultant. You don't have to wait for October 15 to start this conversation: SGIA is available for AEP prep appointments beginning October 1.

During AEP (October 15 – December 7)

Alongside your SGIA Benefit Consultant:

Compare your current plan against at least a few alternatives, using total annual cost, not just premium, as your baseline [2].
Verify formulary and network details directly, since brochures can be a step behind live plan data.
Check the plan's current Star Rating and how it compares to others available in your area [3].
Ask questions before you enroll, not after: get clarity on prior authorization, referral requirements, and drug tier placement.
Make your decision with enough buffer before December 7. Enrollment requests need to reach the plan by the deadline, so don't wait until the final days [1].

After You Decide

Confirm your enrollment went through with the new (or renewed) plan.
Update your medication and provider information with your pharmacy and doctors' offices ahead of the January 1 effective date [1].
Set a reminder to review again mid-year, since your Medicare Supplement coverage (if you have it) isn't tied to AEP and can be reviewed anytime.

SGIA Medicare Consulting is here to walk through every step of this checklist with you. We specialize in Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, MAPD, and Part D Prescription Drug Plans, and we're scheduling AEP appointments now for October 15 – December 7 with prep conversations available starting October 1. Visit sgiamedicare.com/schedule-appointment or call 888-284-3314 to reserve your time. We Make Medicare Simple.