Medicare Plan Review

We recommend reviewing your Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan (MAPD) or standalone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) every year during the Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period (AEP) from October 15 through December 7.

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Why Reviewing Your Medicare Plan Each Year is Important

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Medicare Advantage Plans (MAPD)

Medicare Advantage plans can change each year, including:

  • Monthly premiums

  • Copays and coinsurance

  • Maximum out-of-pocket costs

  • Provider networks

  • Covered benefits

  • Prescription drug coverage

Prescription Drug Plans

Both MAPD plans and standalone Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) can change annually, including:

  • Formularies (list of covered drugs)

  • Drug tiers

  • Pharmacy networks

  • Prior authorization requirements

  • Deductibles and out-of-pocket costs

Insurance carriers are required to send members an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) by September 30 each year outlining plan changes for the upcoming year.

Your prescription needs may also change over time. Some members receive formulary exceptions for medications not normally covered by their plan. If your prescription has been denied, you may be able to request a formulary exception. Learn more on our Prescription Drug Plan page.

Call us at 818-999-3595 to review your prescriptions and compare Medicare plan options based on both your monthly premium and estimated out-of-pocket drug costs.

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Medicare Supplement Plan Review

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans should also be reviewed every few years to determine whether you can save money with a quality carrier.

In most states, you may apply to change Medicare Supplement plans at any time if you can qualify through medical underwriting and health questions.

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California Medicare Birthday Rule

If you live in California or certain other states that offer a Birthday Rule Special Enrollment Period, you may be able to change Medicare Supplement plans without medical underwriting.

In California, you can generally apply:

  • Starting 30 days before your birthday
  • Up to 60 days after your birthday

The new plan must typically be the same standardized plan or one with fewer benefits. Rules vary by state.

Medicare Plan F vs. Plan G

People enrolled in Medicare Supplement Plans F or C generally had to become eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.

Under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), first-dollar coverage plans such as Plan F and Plan C were phased out for newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries.

Because the pool of members enrolled in Plan F continues to age, premiums for Plan F are often significantly higher than Plan G.

At BenefitPackages.com, we frequently help clients save hundreds — and sometimes more than $1,000 per year — by switching from Plan F to Plan G, even after factoring in the Medicare Part B deductible.

For 2026, the Medicare Part B deductible is $283, which is generally the primary coverage difference between Plans F and G.

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Carriers We Represent

  • Anthem Blue Cross (Elevance)

  • Aetna

  • Alignment Health Plan

  • Beam

  • Blue Shield of CA

  • Cigna

  • Delta Dental

  • Health Net

  • HealthSpring

  • Humana

  • Kaiser

  • Imperial Health Plan of California

  • LA Care

  • Medico/Wellabe

  • Molina

  • SCAN

  • Sutter Health

  • UCLA Health Medicare Advantage

  • United Concordia

  • UnitedHealthcare / AARP

  • VSP

  • WellCare / Centene

We'll Help Review Your Medicare Coverage

Call 818-999-3595 to review your Medicare coverage and see whether you may qualify for lower premiums or better overall value.