OPINION: Why your Medicare.gov account deserves a closer look

We are in the middle of Medicare’s annual enrollment period, and lately I have spent a lot of time discussing plans, premiums, prescriptions and upcoming changes.

This time, though, I want to highlight a tool that nearly every person on Medicare can use and that I believe is far too often overlooked: a personal account at Medicare.gov.

If you have never set one up, you should. If you created one years ago and have not checked it since, now is a good time to log in again.

Your prescriptions are already there

One of the most useful features is the prescription drug information. Your Medicare account can store a list of medications tied to your coverage, and you can review or update that list while comparing plans.

That matters because prescriptions are among the first things I examine when helping someone review Medicare coverage. The lowest premium does not always mean the lowest total cost. One plan may cover your medications well, while another could place the same drugs on different tiers, use different pharmacy rules or lead to much higher annual expenses.

When that information is shared with your agent or anyone helping you, it can make the process much faster, as long as the medications have been entered correctly and checked for accuracy. Make sure the drug name, dosage, frequency and whether you still take it are all correct. A saved list is helpful; an inaccurate one is not.

There is also a feature I especially like: the prescription list can be printed. You can also save a copy or image on your phone or tablet so it is easy to reference or share when needed.

More than a medication list

Medicare.gov can also display your current Medicare Advantage or Part D enrollment. Medicare Supplement coverage and employer or group health coverage may appear as well, although in my experience that information is not always complete or fully current.

The site now also gives beneficiaries a way to track doctors and other providers, which can be especially helpful when comparing Medicare Advantage plans, since provider networks matter.

If you misplace your red, white and blue Medicare card, you can log in and print an official copy. You can also request a replacement card.

It can help your family, too

There is another reason to keep your Medicare.gov information updated that has nothing to do with shopping for a plan.

At some point, a spouse, adult child or trusted friend may need to help manage your health care. Having an up-to-date medication list and a clear picture of your Medicare coverage can give them a much better starting point than trying to piece everything together during a stressful situation.

Think about how helpful that could be during an unexpected emergency room visit, an appointment with a new doctor or when an adult child suddenly has to step in and help a parent with health care decisions.

Plan Compare is the real powerhouse

For me, this may be the strongest reason every Medicare beneficiary should become familiar with Medicare.gov.

Medicare’s Plan Compare tool lets you see the Medicare Advantage and standalone Part D plans available in your area. Enter a ZIP code and you can compare the plans offered there. Change the ZIP code and you can review options in another part of the country.

And this is not an insurance company website that only shows the plans that company sells. It is Medicare. The tool lets consumers compare available plans, premiums, drug costs, pharmacies and other important details in one place.

During annual enrollment, that is extremely valuable.

A little perspective

I have been helping people with Medicare since September 2002, which means I have just started my 25th year in this work. To put that in perspective, Medicare Part D did not even exist when I began. The prescription drug program did not start until 2006.

Back then, I also thought Medicare was only for old people. Now that I am only a few years away myself, the face looking back at me in the mirror reminds me how wrong I was.

Today I work with clients across two generations of Medicare coverage. In some families, I helped the parents with Medicare years ago and am now helping their children as they reach Medicare age.

I have also been helping people use Medicare.gov for about 15 years, and I have seen it become an increasingly valuable tool. But I have learned one important lesson along the way: do not assume every detail in an account is perfect just because it appears there. Use it as a starting point, and verify it.

Take ownership of your Medicare information

If you have never created an account, put it on your Medicare to-do list. Go directly to Medicare.gov, not through a link in an unsolicited email or text message, and look for the option to log in or create an account.

You do not have to become your own Medicare expert. A knowledgeable local agent can still help you interpret what you are seeing and compare your options. But having accurate information ready ahead of time can make that process faster and better.

Medicare has changed a great deal since I started doing this in 2002. One thing has not changed: an informed Medicare consumer is the best defense against confusion, costly mistakes and fraud.

Will Corporon is a trusted NWA expert in assisting seniors and those entering the retirement journey to navigate Medicare, long-term-care insurance and income planning. A passionate educator on all that comes with aging, he regularly speaks at NWA organizations like the UAMS Schmieding Center on these topics. Have questions about Medicare, long-term care, or other aging concerns? Send them to [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.