Medicare Annual Enrollment is underway from October 15 through December 7, and there is still time to take a careful look at your coverage for 2027. You may decide your current plan still fits your needs, or you may find that changes in costs, prescriptions, providers, or benefits deserve attention. Either way, a thoughtful review can help you head into the new year with a clearer understanding of your options.

At Arcuri & Associates Assurance Agency, we believe Medicare education should feel personal and straightforward. For retirees and Medicare beneficiaries in Columbiana County, Mahoning County, and throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Florida, this point in the enrollment window is a useful time to slow down, ask questions, and review the details that matter most to you.

Start With the Annual Notice of Change

One of the most important documents to review is your Annual Notice of Change, often called the ANOC. Your plan sends this notice before the new plan year, and it explains changes that may take effect in 2027.

It is easy to focus only on the monthly premium or a headline benefit. Those details matter, but they do not tell the whole story. The Annual Notice of Change may also show updates to your provider network, prescription drug formulary, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, pharmacy network, annual out-of-pocket limit, or extra benefits.

A plan that worked well this year may still be a good fit next year. However, the only way to know is to understand what is changing and how those changes relate to your health needs, medications, budget, and preferred doctors.

Confirm Your Doctors and Hospitals Are in Network

For many people with a Medicare Advantage plan, access to familiar doctors, specialists, hospitals, and medical facilities is a major consideration. Before making any decision, confirm that the providers you want to use participate in the plan network for the coming year.

Think beyond your primary care provider. Consider specialists you see regularly, hospitals you prefer, outpatient centers, therapists, home health providers, and other facilities that may be important to your care. A network can change from year to year, so it is worth checking even if you are satisfied with your current arrangement.

Our team at Arcuri & Associates Assurance Agency can help you organize the questions to ask and better understand how network rules may affect the coverage you are considering.

Review Prescriptions, Formularies, and Pharmacy Choices

Medication costs can have a meaningful effect on the value of Medicare coverage. Whether you have a standalone Medicare Part D plan or prescription drug coverage included with a Medicare Advantage plan, review your medications carefully.

Start with an up-to-date list that includes the name of each medication, dosage, and how often you take it. Then look at whether each drug is included on the plan formulary, what tier it falls under, and whether there are any coverage rules such as prior authorization, step therapy, or quantity limits.

Also review your pharmacy options. Some plans may offer different pricing through preferred pharmacies, mail-order programs, or standard network pharmacies. The lowest monthly premium does not always produce the lowest overall medication cost. Looking at estimated costs for the medications you actually take can provide a more complete picture.

Look Beyond the Monthly Premium

A Medicare plan is more than its premium. When comparing options, it helps to look at the full range of costs you could pay throughout the year, especially if your health care needs have changed.

• Monthly premiums
• Medical and prescription drug deductibles
• Copays for doctor visits, specialists, urgent care, and hospital services
• Coinsurance for certain tests, treatments, or services
• The plan’s annual out-of-pocket maximum for covered medical services

Consider how often you typically use care and what kinds of services you expect to need. A lower premium may be appealing, but higher cost-sharing may matter more if you anticipate frequent appointments, procedures, or hospital care. On the other hand, someone with limited medical use may prioritize different features. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

Evaluate Dental, Vision, Hearing, and Other Benefits

Many Medicare beneficiaries also want to understand benefits beyond routine medical care. Depending on the plan and where you live, these may include dental insurance features, vision services, hearing-related benefits, transportation assistance, fitness programs, allowances, or other supplemental offerings.

These benefits can be valuable, but it is important to review the details. Ask what services are included, what limits apply, which providers can be used, whether prior approval is required, and whether there are copays or other costs. A benefit that sounds attractive may have rules that affect how useful it is for your circumstances.

We encourage clients to consider these extras as part of the overall picture, not as the only reason to choose a plan. Your doctors, medications, medical costs, and coverage rules generally deserve the same careful attention.

Has Your Medicare Coverage Need Changed?

Annual Enrollment is also a good time to consider whether your overall Medicare approach still reflects your life today. A Medicare Advantage plan, a Medicare Supplement plan—also known as Medigap—and a standalone Part D plan each work differently. The appropriate path depends on your individual situation, eligibility, location, health care preferences, and budget.

Perhaps you have moved, started seeing new specialists, added medications, retired from employer coverage, or experienced a change in household finances. These situations can affect the questions worth asking. If you are reviewing broader retirement planning decisions, such as a 401(k) rollover or annuity strategy, it can also be helpful to understand how health care costs fit into your overall budget. Medicare choices should be made carefully and separately based on coverage needs, while keeping the larger financial picture in view.

Arcuri & Associates Assurance Agency also offers guidance on related protection needs, including hospital indemnity insurance, life insurance, dental coverage, and vision coverage. During a personal review, we can help you identify which conversations may be relevant to you without assuming that every product or benefit is appropriate for every person.

You May Not Need to Change Plans

Medicare Annual Enrollment is not a requirement to switch coverage. If your doctors remain accessible, your medications are covered appropriately, your costs are manageable, and the plan continues to meet your priorities, staying put may make sense.

Still, understanding your Annual Notice of Change and reviewing your options is worthwhile. Even a small adjustment to a formulary, pharmacy network, copay, or out-of-pocket limit can matter during the year ahead. The goal is not to make a change simply because enrollment is open. The goal is to make an informed decision.

A Personal Review Can Make the Details Easier

Medicare information can feel overwhelming, especially when plan documents use unfamiliar terms. Our approach is to make the conversation easier to follow. We take time to listen, explain Medicare coverage in plain language, and help you compare the factors that matter most to you.

For our neighbors in Salem, Columbiana County, Mahoning County, and the communities we serve across Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Florida, Arcuri & Associates Assurance Agency provides personal support before, during, and after enrollment. We are here to help you understand your coverage, not to rush you into a decision.

FAQ

When is Medicare Annual Enrollment?

Medicare Annual Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. During this period, eligible Medicare beneficiaries can review and make certain changes to Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage for the following year.

Do I have to change my Medicare plan during Annual Enrollment?

No. You do not have to change plans. However, reviewing your Annual Notice of Change, provider access, prescription coverage, and expected costs can help you determine whether your current coverage remains a good fit for 2027.

Why should I review my prescription drug coverage every year?

Drug formularies, tiers, pharmacy networks, and coverage rules can change from one year to the next. A review helps you see whether your current medications are covered and what your estimated costs may be under the plan for the coming year.

What is the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medigap?

Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative way to receive Medicare-covered services through private plans. Medicare Supplement, or Medigap, policies help pay certain out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare. They work differently, and availability and suitability depend on individual circumstances.

Can Arcuri & Associates Assurance Agency help me review my options?

Yes. We offer a free, no-obligation personal review to help you understand your current coverage and the changes that may affect you. Before the December 7 deadline, call Arcuri & Associates Assurance Agency at (330) 853-6132 to schedule your review.