14 Tips for getting great coverage

Tis the season … no, even if the Christmas decorations are pulling Halloween from the store shelves, it is not the time for the winter holidays. However, if you are 65 or older, it’s time to buy! Medicare open enrollment season is in full swing in the US and runs through Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2025.

Now is the time to evaluate your current coverage and shop around for perhaps the best or most suitable plan for your current health needs. Here are 14 tips for getting the best coverage and care from Medicare Open Enrollment:

1. Know the open enrollment rules

Medicare open enrollment is a time each year when you can:

• Switch from Medicare Parts A & B (Medicare Originar) to a Part C (Private Medicare) Plan
• Switch from Medicare Advery back to Original Medicare
• Join, Withdraw, or change part D Physician D Drugs
• Change Medicare Enrollment Plans

You’re never locked into your Medicare coverage for more than a year, and it’s important to check every year for the best insurance at the lowest cost.

2. Find out how your existing plan has changed

Not everyone knows this, but Medicare plans can – and do – change. So, the first step is to find out what’s new with your existing acquisitions.

If there are changes, your plan should have sent you an “Annual Notice of Plan of Change” (PNOC) by last September. If you think you missed it, call your insurer and ask for an “annual notice of change.”

Pay particular attention to:

• List of drugs the program will cover next year
• How much will those drugs cost?
• What will the premium be in 2026
• What percentage of the plan will cover different types of medical expenses

3. Find out what your favorite doctors are planning to accept in 2026

You may want to call your doctor’s office and ask to speak to the billing department. They should be able to tell you what programs they will be accepting in 2026. If they drop your current plan, then you’ll want to see if other plans are cheaper.

4. Check if your current plan is a good match for your health needs

Once you know what your Medicare supplement supplement plan will cover in 2026, you should compare how that compares to your current and expected needs.

Will your existing plan still cover the drug you are taking? Has your life changed, and now you have different needs?

5. Understand new drug strategies (impact on other coverage)

For prescription drugs (part D), while other premiums are expected to hold, there are significant changes that could result in higher cost burdens for certain beneficiaries, such as an increase in the out-of-pocket cap to $2,100 from $2,000.

Also, be sure to check carefully for any changes to your current coverage.

6. Compare your existing plan to alternatives

Even if your current plan works well for you, you should shop around early to see if there is a more cost-effective option.

You can contact your State Health Insurance Consure (SHIP) assistance program. Ship (sometimes called another name) provides free counseling to any Medicare recipient to help people choose a Medicare plan.

You can contact Medicare at 1-800-Medicare or Medicare.gov. They have a Medicare Plan comparison tool that can be helpful.

Boldin’s retirement planner also allows you to estimate your lifetime medical expenses for different types of coverage, health conditions and premium rates.

Looking for people’s help with open-ended writing questions?

Companies like Chapter and Coverright® offer a wide range of insurance and will:

• Answer questions you have about coverage
• We help you compare your options
• Make sure your doctors and prescriptions are covered

They are commission-neutral, and comfortable to work with. Read more below.

7. Beware of Medicare scams and don’t believe every advertisement you see

It is illegal for any designated Medicare agent to make unsolicited communications with you. Therefore, if you receive a call, text, or voicemail from someone who provides Medicare services, it is a scam.

Do not give up any personal information.

Also, be aware of the barrage of advertisements you will see during this time.

8. Check the ratings on the programs

Once you’ve identified a plan or plans that might be right for your specific health needs, you can check what those plans cost.

Medicare.gov allows you to research Plan quality and performance ratings.

US News and World Report is also a reliable source. They check all the insurance companies. See their best Medicare plans and best plans by state.

9. Cut your medical expenses

For additional coverage, protect co-pays can add up. To save money, talk to your doctor. Ask if they will offer you a more expensive alternative or a generic?

Whatever your doctor prescribes, shop around to fill your medicine. Filling the same drug at Costco Versus CVS can save you a lot. Ordering a 90-day supply online can save you even more.

10. Use a health savings account (HSA)

If you’re still working and eligible to contribute to an HSA, use it. Your contributions are pre-tax, the money in your account grows tax-free, and you can withdraw money from the account at any time tax-free, as long as the money is used for qualified medical expenses.

Read more about HSAS: What they are and why they are a mandatory preservation method.

11. ProACTIACT to stay healthy

If you are in good health, you will spend less money on health care costs.

Medicare offers free vaccinations, preventive screenings and excellent programs.

12. Make sure that out-of-pocket medical expenses are included in your permanent financial plan

Out-of-pocket medical expenses are one of the three biggest expenses for policyholders. Studies have shown that the total cost of Eckat Medicare is higher than the total cost of retirement security. In other words, social security money does not cover at all the retirement they will have to spend their lives.

Therefore, it is important to make sure that your retirement savings are prepared for these large expenses.

The Boldlin Retirement Planner is an award-winning tool that can help you prepare. This easy-to-use software provides detailed and complex calculations and includes health care costs.

13. Get people’s help with your decisions

Finding the right coverage is not easy. Also, most of the help you’ll get comes from consumers who are tied to only those few who have little insurance. Your skepticism is justified. You deserve clear, unstructured guidance that shows you all your options.

To help you make confident health decisions, Boldlin has partnered with CoverRight® and Chapter. Both are independent agents, giving you access to a variety of shooters – not just one. Best of all, they’re neutral, meaning their experts get the same no matter what you choose.

Their goal is to help you find the coverage that best suits you.

Boldin Medicare Partners: Help with your coverage decisions

The Boldlin Group has researched and tested both the industry and the chapter and believes that both offer a great service that fits your needs. These companies are independent agents representing a range of tastes. In addition, we receive compensation for these links.

CoverRight®: Click here to book an appointment or call 866 595 3191 to speak with a licensed counselor.

CHAPTER: Compare plans online or call 212 461 4182 to speak with a licensed advisor.

14. Know your downtime

From January 1 to March 31, 2026 You can change Medicare enrollment strategies or plan back to Original Medicare if you change your mind after enrolling.