8 things to consider when choosing or changing your coverage

  1. Coverage: Does the plan cover the services you need?
  2. Your other coverage: If you have other types of health or prescription drug coverage, make sure you understand how that coverage works with Medicare. If you have employment-related coverage, or get your health care from an Indian Health or Tribal Health Program, talk to your benefits administrator or insurer before making any changes.
  3. Costs: How much are your premiums, deductibles, and other costs? How much do you pay for services like hospital stays or doctor visits? Is there a yearly limit on what you could pay out-of-pocket for medical services? Make sure you understand any coverage rules that may affect your costs.
  4. Doctor and hospital choice: Do your doctors accept the coverage? Are the doctors you want to see accepting new patients? Do you have to choose your hospital and health care providers from a network? Do you need to get referrals?
  5. Prescription drugs: Do you need to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan? Do you already have creditable prescription drug coverage? Will you pay a penalty if you join a drug plan later? What will your prescription drugs cost under each plan? Are your drugs covered under the plan's formulary? Are there any coverage rules that apply to your prescriptions? Is the pharmacy you use in the plan's network?
  6. Quality of care: Are you satisfied with your medical care? The quality of care and services given by plans and other health care providers can vary. Get help comparing plans and providers.
  7. Convenience: Where are the doctor's offices? What are their hours? Which pharmacies can you use? Can you get your prescriptions by mail? Do the doctors use electronic health records (EHRs) or E-prescribe?
  8. Travel: Will the plan cover you if you travel to another state or outside the U.S.?

If you're in a Medicare plan, review the "Evidence of Coverage" (EOC) and "Annual Notice of Change" (ANOC) your plan sends you each fall. The EOC gives you details about what the plan covers, how much you pay, and more. The ANOC includes any changes in coverage, costs, or service area effective in January. If you don't get an EOC or ANOC, contact your plan.