How Do You Compare Medicare Plans During AEP?

List your current doctors, prescription drugs, and preferred pharmacies first, then compare plans on network coverage, drug coverage, total yearly costs, and plan star ratings using the official Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov or by working with a licensed agent. Affordable Medicare Quote connects agents with beneficiaries during AEP who need guidance comparing options.

What information should you gather before comparing?

Gather your list of current doctors (including specialists), all prescription drugs with dosages, and the pharmacies you use regularly before you start comparing plans. This preparation ensures accurate results when you filter plans and helps you avoid surprise costs or network gaps mid-year. Without this information, Plan Finder results may show plans that don't cover your actual needs.

You'll need:

• Doctor names and specialties – Include primary care, cardiologists, endocrinologists, or any provider you see routinely.
• Prescription drug list – Write down the exact drug names, dosages, and how often you refill (e.g., atorvastatin 20 mg, 90-day supply).
• Pharmacy preferences – Note whether you use a local retail pharmacy, mail order, or both.

Having this list ready before you open Plan Finder saves time and gives you the most accurate cost estimates for each plan option.

How do you estimate total yearly costs?

Add the plan's monthly premium, estimated drug costs, and expected out-of-pocket expenses (copays, coinsurance, deductibles) to calculate total yearly cost, not just the premium alone. A zero-dollar premium plan may cost more annually if it has high copays or excludes your medications from preferred tiers. Plan Finder displays an estimated annual cost for each plan based on the drugs and doctor visits you enter.

Components to include:

• Monthly premium × 12
• Deductible (if the plan has one)
• Drug tier copays for each prescription
• Doctor visit copays or coinsurance
• Maximum out-of-pocket limit (if you anticipate high utilization)

The plan with the lowest premium is rarely the lowest total cost when you factor in actual usage. Compare the "Estimated Yearly Cost" column in Plan Finder for an apples-to-apples view.

What do star ratings tell you?

Star ratings measure plan quality and customer satisfaction on a 1–5 scale, covering areas like customer service, care coordination, and how well the plan manages chronic conditions. Plans with 4 or 5 stars typically deliver better member experience and clinical outcomes. Medicare publishes ratings annually based on performance in multiple categories, and higher-rated plans may also offer extra benefits during certain periods.

Ratings are based on:

• Customer service responsiveness
• Care coordination for members with diabetes, heart disease, or other chronic conditions
• Prescription drug safety and accuracy
• Member complaints and appeals
• Health screenings and preventive care rates

You can filter Plan Finder results by star rating, but balance quality with network fit and cost—sometimes a 3.5-star plan covers your doctors while a 5-star plan does not.

How does the official Medicare Plan Finder work?

Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov lets you enter your ZIP code, drugs, and doctors, then displays all available plans ranked by estimated yearly cost and filtered by your criteria.

Steps to use Plan Finder:

1. Go to Medicare.gov/plan-compare and enter your ZIP code.
2. Add your prescription drugs (name, dosage, frequency) and preferred pharmacies.
3. Optionally add your doctors to check network participation.
4. Review the list of plans, sorted by estimated total yearly cost.
5. Click into each plan to see the full Summary of Benefits, formulary tiers, and provider directory links.

Plan Finder updates nightly during AEP with the latest plan data. You can save comparisons, print summaries, and enroll directly online for most plans. Licensed agents can also run the same tool on behalf of beneficiaries and explain trade-offs in real time.

How Affordable Medicare Quote handles this

Affordable Medicare Quote delivers beneficiaries to licensed agents who need help comparing plans during AEP, including live transfers and call backs of individuals actively researching options. Agents receive leads from consumers who have indicated interest in reviewing their coverage. These are not plan recommendations or enrollments—they are introductions to potential clients who want to compare doctor networks, drug coverage, and costs with a licensed professional.

Because plan rules, premiums, and networks vary by county and change annually, agents use the same Plan Finder tool (or carrier quoting platforms) to walk beneficiaries through side-by-side comparisons. Affordable Medicare Quote does not provide plan advice, star-rating endorsements, or cost guarantees; we connect agents with Medicare-eligible consumers during the AEP window when plan shopping peaks.

Frequently asked questions

Can I compare Medigap and Medicare Advantage side by side in Plan Finder?

Plan Finder shows Medicare Advantage and Part D plans but does not include Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policies. You must quote Medigap separately through carriers or a licensed agent, since Medigap has different underwriting and no formulary.

When is the deadline to compare and switch plans during AEP?

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7 each year. Any plan change you make takes effect January 1, so compare early to avoid last-minute enrollment issues.

Do I need to re-enter my information every year in Plan Finder?

If you create a Medicare.gov account, Plan Finder can save your drug list and preferences year over year. Otherwise, you'll re-enter your information each time you compare.

What if my current plan isn't showing up in Plan Finder?

Your plan may have been discontinued or renamed for the coming year. Check your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) mailed in September, or contact your plan directly to confirm its status.

Can a licensed agent see the same Plan Finder results I see?

Yes. Licensed agents use the same Medicare.gov Plan Finder or carrier-provided quoting tools that pull identical plan data. Agents can walk you through the comparison and explain trade-offs based on your specific doctors and drugs.

Affordable Medicare Quote · affordablemedicarequote.com · (888) 603-5358