What Happens If You Don’t Review Your Medicare Plan During Annual Enrollment?
Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) starts on October 15, 2025 and ends on December 7, 2025.
This is the one time each year you can make changes to your Medicare plan for the year ahead. If you don’t act during this window, you’ll be locked into your current plan for 2026.
So what happens if you skip your review?
1. You Could Be Stuck With Higher Costs
Premiums, deductibles, and copays often increase from year to year. Without reviewing your options, you may end up paying more in 2026 than you need to.
2. Your Prescriptions May Not Be Covered the Same Way
Plans update their drug lists every year. A medication that was affordable in 2025 may suddenly cost much more in 2026.
3. Your Doctor or Hospital Could Drop Out of Network
Provider networks change annually. If your doctor isn’t covered next year, you may have to switch doctors or pay higher out-of-network costs.
4. You Might Miss Out on Extra Benefits
Many Medicare Advantage plans include extras like dental, vision, hearing, wellness programs, or even grocery allowances. If you don’t compare plans, you could miss benefits available in your area.
The Good News: You Still Have Time
Annual Enrollment begins October 15, 2025 — which means now is the perfect time to prepare. At Golden Valley Medicare, we help Montana seniors:
Review doctors and prescriptions
Compare every plan in your county
Understand your real costs (not just premiums)
Make confident decisions with free, local guidance
Annual Enrollment runs Oct 15 – Dec 7, 2025. Don’t wait until it’s too late.