5 Things to Know Before Choosing a Medicare Plan
Every fall, thousands of people pick a Medicare plan based on premium alone — and spend the next year paying for that choice in other ways. A short checklist keeps the decision grounded in how you actually use care.
Start with your prescriptions
Drug formularies change every year, even on the plan you already have. Pull your current medication list and check it against each plan's formulary before you compare anything else.
“Premiums are the easiest number to compare and the least useful one on its own. Total annual cost is what matters.”
— Elena Vasquez
The five checks that matter
- Formulary
Confirm every medication you take is covered, and at what tier.
- Network
Verify your primary care doctor and specialists are in network for next year, not just this one.
- Total cost
Add premiums, deductibles, copays, and the out-of-pocket maximum together.
- Extras
Dental, vision, and hearing benefits vary widely between Advantage plans.
- Travel
If you spend months away from home, check how the plan handles out-of-area care.
Work through the list with a licensed agent who can run your medications and providers against every plan available in your county — it usually takes under an hour.
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Elena reviews every prescription on your list before recommending a plan, so you know exactly what your medications will cost next year.
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