Medicare Annual Enrollment in Idaho
Medicare Annual Enrollment is one of the most important times of the year to review Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug coverage.
Plans can change every year.
Your doctors, prescriptions, pharmacies, premiums, benefits, copays, and drug costs can also change.
Need help during Medicare Annual Enrollment in Idaho? Call Chris Antrim at 208-203-7776 to review Medicare Advantage, Part D, doctors, prescriptions, pharmacies, and plan changes.
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“We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.”
What Is Medicare Annual Enrollment?
Medicare Annual Enrollment is the fall review period for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.
It is also commonly called Medicare Open Enrollment or AEP.
This is the time when many Medicare clients review current coverage and compare options for the next year.
When Is Medicare Annual Enrollment?
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7 each year.
Changes made during this period are generally effective January 1 of the next year.
Plan requests must be submitted by the deadline.

Do not wait until the last day if you need help comparing plans.
What Can You Change During Annual Enrollment?
During Annual Enrollment, many people can:
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
- Switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare
- Join a Part D prescription drug plan
- Switch Part D plans
- Drop Part D coverage
The right options depend on your current coverage and situation.
Why Review Your Medicare Plan Every Year?
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can change annually.
Changes may include:
- Monthly premium
- Deductible
- Copays
- Maximum out-of-pocket limit
- Doctor network
- Hospital network
- Drug formulary
- Drug tiers
- Pharmacy contracts
- Prior authorization rules
- Extra benefits
A plan that worked well last year may not be the best fit next year.
Annual Notice of Change
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans send an Annual Notice of Change.
This notice explains important changes for the next plan year.
Review it carefully.
Look for changes to:
- Premium
- Deductible
- Copays
- Benefits
- Drug formulary
- Pharmacy network
- Doctor and hospital network
- Prior authorization
- Maximum out-of-pocket limit
Bring this document to your annual review.
Medicare Advantage Plan Changes
Medicare Advantage plans can change each year.
Review:
- Is your doctor still in-network?
- Is your hospital still in-network?
- Did the premium change?
- Did copays change?
- Did the maximum out-of-pocket limit change?
- Did dental, vision, hearing, or extra benefits change?
- Did prior authorization rules change?
- Did the drug coverage change?
Do not assume your plan stayed the same.
Part D Prescription Drug Changes
Part D plans can change formularies, tiers, deductibles, premiums, pharmacies, and copays.
Review each medication every year.
Check:
- Is the drug covered?
- What tier is it?
- Does the deductible apply?
- Is prior authorization required?
- Is step therapy required?
- Are there quantity limits?
- Which pharmacy gives the best cost?
Helpful page:
Medicare Prescription Drug Review.
Doctor, Hospital, and Network Reviews
Network checks are important for Medicare Advantage plans.
Before staying with or switching plans, verify:
- Primary care doctor
- Specialists
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Urgent care
- Labs
- Imaging centers
- Mental health providers
Boise and Treasure Valley clients should especially check St. Luke’s, Saint Alphonsus, and preferred medical groups if those providers matter.
Pharmacy Reviews
Pharmacy choice can affect Part D costs.
One pharmacy may be preferred for a plan while another may cost more.
Review:
- Preferred pharmacies
- Standard pharmacies
- Mail order
- Retail pharmacy options
- 30-day and 90-day fills
- Drug tier costs
Do not assume the same pharmacy is best every year.
Medicare Advantage vs Medigap During AEP
Annual Enrollment is often used to compare Medicare Advantage and Part D options.
However, switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap may involve medical underwriting unless a guaranteed issue right or other rule applies.
Do not assume you can move into a Medicare Supplement without health questions.
What Annual Enrollment Does Not Always Allow
Annual Enrollment does not mean every Medicare change is available with no restrictions.
For example:
- Medigap underwriting may apply in many situations.
- Some changes depend on current coverage.
- Plan availability varies by county.
- Prescription and network changes require careful review.
Enrollment rules depend on the situation.
Common Annual Enrollment Mistakes
Avoid these mistakes:
- Choosing only by premium
- Ignoring prescription changes
- Forgetting to check pharmacies
- Assuming doctors are still in-network
- Ignoring the Annual Notice of Change
- Choosing a plan for dental benefits only
- Waiting until the last day
- Assuming a spouse needs the same plan
- Not reviewing travel needs
- Not checking prior authorization rules
How Chris Helps With Medicare Reviews
Chris Antrim can help review the plans and carriers he represents.
A review may include:
- Current plan
- Annual Notice of Change
- Doctors
- Hospitals
- Prescriptions
- Pharmacies
- Expected costs
- Medicare Advantage options
- Part D options
- Medigap considerations
The goal is to help clients make a more informed Medicare decision.
Questions to Ask During Annual Enrollment
Ask:
- Did my premium change?
- Did my deductible change?
- Are my doctors still in-network?
- Are my prescriptions still covered?
- Is my pharmacy still preferred?
- Did my copays change?
- Did my maximum out-of-pocket change?
- Did benefits change?
- Is prior authorization required?
- Is a different plan better for next year?
- Should I review Part D separately?
- What is the deadline?
Local Boise Medicare Annual Enrollment Help
GoIdahoInsurance helps Idaho Medicare clients review coverage during Annual Enrollment across Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, Caldwell, Kuna, Star, Garden City, the Treasure Valley, and throughout Idaho.
Before Medicare Annual Enrollment ends, review your doctors, prescriptions, pharmacy, plan changes, and expected costs Call Chris Antrim at 208-203-7776 for Idaho Medicare review help.
Required Medicare disclaimer:
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent a limited number of organizations that offer a limited number of products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program to get information on all of your options.
Additional disclosure:
Plan availability, premiums, provider networks, prescription formularies, drug tiers, pharmacies, copays, deductibles, maximum out-of-pocket limits, benefits, star ratings, enrollment periods, penalties, underwriting rules, and carrier participation can change. This page provides general Medicare information and is not a guarantee of eligibility, plan availability, enrollment approval, benefits, costs, penalty avoidance, underwriting approval, or claim payment.
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