10 Medicare Mistakes to Avoid
Most Medicare mistakes are not caused by a lack of intelligence. They happen because an important rule or plan detail was assumed instead of verified.
1. Enrolling because you turned 65 without checking employer coverage
Some people should enroll at 65. Others with qualifying current-employment coverage may be able to delay Part B. Enrolling blindly can create unnecessary premiums or HSA problems; delaying blindly can create penalties and coverage gaps.
2. Choosing a Medicare Advantage plan for one extra benefit
Dental, vision, hearing and other supplemental benefits can matter, but they should not outrank the medical network, prescription coverage, prior authorization rules and major cost-sharing.
3. Comparing plans on premium alone
A lower premium can come with more pay-as-you-use-it exposure. Compare fixed premiums and realistic annual out-of-pocket costs.
4. Assuming your doctor is still in-network
Networks can change. Verify the provider with the plan for the coverage year you are considering.
5. Ignoring prescriptions until after enrollment
A plan can cover your doctors well and still be expensive if your medications fall on unfavorable tiers or pharmacies.
6. Thinking Medigap has an annual open enrollment like Medicare Advantage
It does not. Federal Medigap Open Enrollment is a one-time six-month window tied to being 65 or older and enrolled in Part B.
7. Dropping Medigap before confirming you can replace it
In many situations, you may not have a federal right to buy another Medigap policy later. Understand guaranteed-issue rights before canceling coverage.
8. Treating COBRA like active-employer coverage for Part B timing
The Part B Special Enrollment clock can begin when active employment or job-based coverage ends, even if COBRA continues.
9. Skipping the Annual Notice of Change
Premiums, benefits, cost-sharing, networks and formulary details can change each year. Review what is changing before the next plan year.
10. Assuming you can fix everything later
Some changes are easy during an enrollment period. Others, especially Medigap eligibility, may not be. Know the exit route before you make the move.
Primary sources
This guide is based on current information from Medicare.gov and CMS. Rules can change, so verify time-sensitive details before acting.