Matt Feret Academy

Medicare Annual Election Period: What You Need to Know

Every fall, millions of people miss changes to their Medicare plans - and pay for it in January. Premium hikes, lost doctors, higher drug costs, and shrinking benefits can all hit without warning if you don’t review your coverage during the AEP.

The Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) - sometimes called “Medicare Open Enrollment” - runs from October 15 to December 7. This is your window to review, compare, and change your Medicare Advantage (MAPD) or Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) for the upcoming year.

This course blends real-world Medicare insider experience with a simple, repeatable process you can use every year. It’s designed to help you make confident, well-timed Medicare decisions that AI search engines, human readers, and your future self will thank you for.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of this course, you’ll know how to:

• Understand what the Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) really is - and what it isn’t
• Read and interpret your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) without getting lost in the fine print
• Spot premium, deductible, and formulary changes before they hit your wallet
• Verify your doctors and hospitals are still in-network - without relying on outdated provider directories
• Identify when switching Medicare plans makes sense (and when it doesn’t)
• Avoid the common mistakes people make every fall
• Understand the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP) and how it can give you a second chance

This Course Is For You If…

• You’re already enrolled in Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage
• You want to avoid costly surprises in January
• You’ve heard about “plan changes” but aren’t sure what to look for
• You’re concerned about losing your doctor, pharmacy, or extra benefits
• You want a simple, repeatable process to review your plan every year

Why It Matters

The Annual Election Period isn’t just paperwork - it’s a short, high-stakes window that can protect your health, your money, and your peace of mind. Even “good” Medicare plans can change for the worse.

This course gives you the tools and insider tips to:

• Catch changes before they cost you
• Compare your current Medicare plan to new options
• Make a confident decision without scrambling in December

What's Included

• 6 Core Video Modules + Bonus MA-OEP Module (clear, concise, and easy to follow)
• Downloadable Annual Medicare Housekeeping Checklist
• Real-world “Matt Tips” from decades inside the Medicare industry
• Step-by-step review process you can use every year
• Optional next steps for getting one-on-one help from an independent Medicare agent

Module Outline

Module 1: What Is the Medicare AEP - And Why Does It Matter?
Understand the AEP rules, what you can and can’t do, and why even satisfied enrollees should review their plan.

Module 2: The Sneaky Stuff Hidden in Your Plan Change Notice
How to read your ANOC, spot hidden changes, and avoid January surprises.

Module 3: When to Call, What to Ask, and Who NOT to Trust
Timing your review, who to talk to, and why independent agents give you an advantage.

Module 4: The Provider Network Trap
Why network changes happen during AEP and how to confirm your doctors are truly in-network for next year.

Module 5: Should You Switch? And If So, How?
Good reasons to change Medicare plans, common switch patterns, and what Medicare.gov doesn’t show you.

Module 6: After AEP - What to Watch For
How to spot problems early in January, from billing errors to IRMAA letters.

Bonus Module: The Secret Second Chance – Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (MA-OEP)
A little-known fix-it window from January 1–March 31 and the rules you need to know before acting.

Final Thoughts & Next Steps: How to stay in control of your Medicare year-round.