The big question: What kind of coverage do you need? Enrolling in a health insurance plan is a personal decision that requires a bit of research on your part. And to help you with the process, we created the checklist below. Today we're also talking about: - information to gather before you commit to a plan
- financial assistance programs
- how to shop around
A checklist to help you choose a plan  Make a list of your historical healthcare needs: Consider things like medications, surgeries, and any other services that you may need on a regular or semi-regular basis.
Add any new healthcare needs that may arise in the coming year: If you have a chronic health condition or are at high risk for developing a certain condition, you may require more frequent care.
Find out if your primary care doctor is in the plan's network: Some Medicare plans don't cover out-of-network healthcare professionals, which means you'll be left paying the full cost of those services.
Contact your doctors and check to see which of their services are covered by Medicare: This is called "accepting assignment."
Make a healthcare budget: Between premiums, deductibles, and fees for services, Medicare costs can quickly add up. If your income is limited or fixed, look into financial assistance programs right away. Financial assistance programs to know about You can always reach out to your local social services office to see if there are financial assistance programs specific to your state. Some available programs include: - medicare savings programs, which can help cover Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, as well as other plan costs
- Medicare Extra Help, a financial assistance program that helps cover Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) costs
- Medicaid, a federal and state program that offers healthcare coverage to individuals, including those on Medicare, who have an income that falls below certain limits
One thing you can do today Fill out the checklist above to narrow down your options to find your ideal Medicare plan. Tomorrow, we'll answer an age-old question: Is Medicare Advantage worth it? See you then! Until next time,
The Healthline Team | 
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