Our Services
Annual Coverage Review
An annual coverage review is a free yearly check-up on your Medicare plan, done each fall during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15–Dec 7). Plans can change their premiums, drug formularies, copays, and networks every year — and your own health and medications change too — so we re-compare your current coverage against the plans we offer to confirm it's still the right fit before changes take effect January 1.
What we review
We look at your plan's Annual Notice of Change against your current doctors and prescriptions, then check whether a drug dropped off the formulary, moved to a higher tier, or a copay went up. We compare that to the plans we offer for the coming year so you can see clearly whether staying put or switching serves you better.
How it works (step by step)
Each fall we reach out, or you contact us, and we pull up your current plan. You tell us about any new medications or doctor changes. We run the numbers across the plans we offer for next year, flag anything that's gotten worse, and walk you through your options. If a switch makes sense, we handle it before the December 7 deadline.
Who it's for
Every current Medicare member benefits, but it's especially important if you started a new prescription this year, changed doctors, received an Annual Notice of Change with cost increases, or simply haven't reviewed your plan since you first enrolled. Set-it-and-forget-it is where people quietly start overpaying.
Why local matters
When a Sioux Falls-area network shifts or a regional plan changes its Sanford or Avera arrangements, we hear about it and factor it into your review. Because we serve South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and southwest Minnesota, we keep an eye on how the plans we offer change across the whole Big Sioux market, not just one state.
Questions, answered
Do I really need to review my Medicare plan every year?
It's strongly recommended. Plans can change costs, drug coverage, and networks annually, and a plan that fit perfectly last year may not next year. A short review each fall during AEP helps you avoid being moved into a worse position simply by doing nothing. Even if you keep your plan, you'll know you made an informed choice.
When is the Annual Enrollment Period?
October 15 through December 7 each year. Any plan change you make during that window takes effect January 1. We review your coverage during this period so you have time to switch before the deadline if a better-fitting option exists among the plans we offer. Starting early in the window leaves room to weigh your choices calmly.
What if my plan dropped one of my medications?
That happens when a formulary changes, and it's exactly what a review catches. If your drug moved tiers or came off the list, we compare the plans we offer that cover it better and help you switch during AEP so you're not paying more than you need to next year. Catching it early in the fall gives us time to fix it.
Does the annual review cost anything?
No. The review is free and part of staying your advisor year-round. We're paid by the carriers, not by you, so there's no charge to re-check your coverage each fall — whether you end up switching plans or keeping the one you have. It's simply part of the ongoing relationship after you enroll.
What is the Annual Notice of Change?
The Annual Notice of Change, or ANOC, is the letter your plan mails each fall describing what's changing for the coming year — premiums, copays, drug coverage, networks, and benefits. It's easy to set aside unread, but it often holds the cost increases that matter most. We go through it with you so nothing important slips by before the AEP deadline.
Can I switch Medicare plans during the Annual Enrollment Period?
Yes. From October 15 to December 7 you can switch between Medicare Advantage plans, move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, or change your standalone Part D plan, with the new coverage starting January 1. We compare your current plan to the options we offer and, if a switch makes sense for your doctors and drugs, handle it before the deadline.
What's the difference between AEP and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
The Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15–Dec 7) is when anyone can change Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage for the next year. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan 1–Mar 31) is narrower — if you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change. We track both windows so you use whichever one applies to your situation.
My plan's premium went up — what should I do?
A premium increase is a good reason to review, but the premium is only part of the cost. We check whether your drug coverage, copays, and network also changed, then compare the full yearly cost against the plans we offer for next year. Sometimes staying is still best; sometimes a switch saves money. Either way, you'll see the numbers clearly before deciding.
Will switching plans during AEP interrupt my coverage?
No. When you switch during the Annual Enrollment Period, your new plan simply begins January 1 as the old one ends, so there's no gap. We confirm the new enrollment processed and that your coverage is active before the start date. The transition is seamless when it's handled inside the proper window, which is part of what we manage for you.
What if I'm happy with my plan — do I still need a review?
It's still worth a few minutes. Even a plan you like can quietly raise a copay, move a drug to a higher tier, or adjust its network for the new year. A quick review confirms your plan still fits before changes lock in January 1. If everything checks out, you keep it with confidence; if not, there's time to act.