How to Review Your Medicare Advantage Plan Before Switching

Start With Two Plans

Record your ZIP code, coverage year, and each plan’s exact name, plan ID, and type. Find your current plan in its member materials and look up an alternative for the same ZIP code and year using Medicare Plan Finder. Keep each plan’s Summary of Benefits and Evidence of Coverage handy.

Check Your Doctors and Hospitals

List the primary care doctors, specialists, and hospitals you rely on. Ask both the plan and the provider’s office about the exact plan and office address. For example, if your Brandon specialist sees patients at two offices, verify the address you actually visit.

Write down the network status, who confirmed it, and the date. If the answers differ, mark the check as pending and follow up. See the Brandon doctor and hospital network guide for questions to ask.

Compare Prescriptions and Pharmacies

Enter the same drugs, doses, quantities, and pharmacy for both plans. Check each drug’s tier and estimated cost for the same supply. Look for requirements such as prior authorization, step therapy, or quantity limits.

Check whether your pharmacy is in the plan’s network and whether it is preferred. Record annual drug cost estimates separately for each plan. Use the Brandon prescription cost guide for the detailed comparison.

Compare What You Might Pay

Start with monthly plan premiums, then compare medical and drug deductibles, copays for primary care and specialist visits, and hospital costs. Multiply a monthly plan premium by 12 for a full-year estimate and use the same number of visits and services for both plans. Note any out-of-network charges you might face.

Record the medical out-of-pocket maximum separately from your estimated annual drug costs. The medical maximum applies to covered medical services under the plan’s rules. Premiums and Part D prescription costs are separate.