The last day to write to you for medication is December 7, 2025, and you should not let this date pass. These are common mistakes made when approaching the next year. Due to the rush, knowing them can help you avoid them, even if the plan you chose for 2025 worked, you should review it for 2026, as coverage, premiums, copays, and formularies can change from year to year. It is also important not to forget the deadline, as well as to be clear about the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. The first refers to Part A and Part B, while the second refers to Part C.
You should not forget to review Part D to ensure that your medications are covered, as well as making sure that your doctors or specialists are still in-network. Another mistake is not submitting the required documents or not doing so on time, which can incur costs. Another common oversight is not checking the difference between the total annual cost and the monthly premiums, which may be low and attractive, but when added to deductibles, copayments, and maximum payments, can result in a high annual cost. You should also keep in mind that insurers may send proof of coverage documents or additional forms when updating your plan, so you should remain alert.
Organizing Medicare for 2026
The next open enrollment deadline for Medicare is December 7, 2025, so you should set an alert on your phone or mark it in your calendar. It is very common that leaving it until the last moment leads to mistakes that will then have consequences throughout the next year. That is why, if you keep in mind the most common errors and oversights, you will be less likely to make them. Remember that when it comes to Medicare, planning is important to ensure that your health is covered without any surprises.
If you haven’t submitted your Medicare form yet, note the following common mistakes so you can avoid them.
Plan review
In the rush, it is quite common to continue with the existing plan without reviewing and comparing plans year to year. However, the reality is that the benefits of coverage, premiums, copayments, and formularies often change over the years, and not reviewing them could mean you end up paying more or that the coverage the plan currently offers is insufficient for the care you need.
Enrollment deadline
This is the most common in any type of procedure beyond Medicare. If you do not enroll before December 7, you will not be able to do anything unless you can justify a circumstance such as moving or losing other coverage to enter a special enrollment period. Don’t forget that waiting until the last minute usually leads to delays in paperwork and increases the risk of technical problems.
Differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
It is common for subscribers not to clearly understand the difference between the two, especially the coverage each one offers.
- Original Medicare. Includes Part A and Part B, which cover hospital and medical benefits, but do not include prescription drugs or services like vision or dental care.
- Medicare Advantage. Includes Part C, which combines those benefits but may come with network restrictions.
Prescription drug coverage
This is another common area of confusion. That is why it is important to review the prescription drug plan, that is, Part D. It is important to remember that medications and their prices change, which can affect a treatment you regularly take.
Keeping doctors
If you want to keep any important doctor or specialist, confirm that they are still in the network, especially for Medicare Advantage plans. If you change plans, you may find that your trusted doctor is not covered, requiring you to pay out-of-network fees to see them.
Submission of documentation
Rushing is responsible for not submitting all the necessary documents correctly and/or on time.
Total Annual Cost vs. Monthly Premiums
Financial experts remind us that one of the most important things to consider is controlling the difference between the total annual cost of Medicare and the monthly premiums. A low premium may seem attractive, but in reality, when higher deductibles, copayments, or maximum out-of-pocket costs are added, the total amount can be much higher than expected.
Communication with the Insurance Company
Assuming that the premium update happens automatically is another mistake, as insurance companies usually contact clients to fill out some kind of additional form. That is why it is important to stay attentive to avoid losing coverage.