Open Enrollment Mistakes That Cost Kansas City Residents Thousands

The annual 7-week window that can make or break your Medicare budget - here are the costly mistakes Kansas City seniors make every October

WHY ARE YOU USING 2024 Data for THIS BLOG? Because the data has not come in for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Any monetary calculations or listed numbers are based on the plan year 2023-2024. They are to be used, for example, only on what COULD happen in the 2025-2027 plan years. Do not base your entire life around any money quotes in this blog because they will be different. If you need more information, call. It is free.

Last October, Margaret from Overland Park made a decision that seemed smart at the time. She stayed with her current Medicare plan because "it was working fine." That single choice cost her $3,200 over the following year - money she could have saved by spending just 30 minutes comparing her options during Open Enrollment.

Margaret's not alone. Every year from October 15th to December 7th, Kansas City Medicare recipients have the power to dramatically improve their healthcare coverage and slash their costs. Yet 73% of them make the same costly mistake: they do nothing.

Here are the 7 Open Enrollment mistakes that are costing Kansas City residents thousands - and how to avoid them.

🚨 MISTAKE #1: The "Set It and Forget It" Trap

The Mistake:

Assuming your current plan will remain the same next year.

The Kansas City Reality:

2024 Impact Examples:

• Humana Honor eliminated grocery benefits at 12 Kansas City ZIP codes

• UnitedHealthcare raised prescription copays by 40% on common medications

• Blue Cross Blue Shield dropped Saint Luke's South from their network

What It Costs You:

• Average impact: $2,400-$4,800 annually

• Prescription increases: $100-$300 monthly

• Network changes: $500+ per specialist visit out-of-network

The Fix:

Review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter that arrives in September. Look for:

• Premium changes

• Formulary updates

• Provider network modifications

• Benefit reductions

Real Kansas City example: Tom from Independence discovered his diabetes medication was moving to a higher tier, increasing his cost from $25 to $180 monthly. By switching plans during Open Enrollment, he found the same drug for $10.

💊 MISTAKE #2: The Prescription Drug Blind Spot

The Mistake:

Not checking if your medications are still covered at the same cost.

The Kansas City Consequence:

Plans frequently move drugs between tiers or remove them entirely from their formularies.

2024 Kansas City Examples:

• Eliquis moved from Tier 2 ($47) to Tier 3 ($97) on 6 local plans

• Jardiance was dropped entirely from 3 major Kansas City Medicare Advantage plans

• Generic Metformin increased 300% on certain plans

What It Costs You:

• Tier changes: $600-$1,800 annually per medication

• Formulary removal: $3,000-$8,000 annually if you stay with non-covered drugs

• Prior authorization delays: Lost time and potential health impacts

The Fix:

Use Medicare.gov's Plan Finder tool with your complete medication list:

1. Enter ALL your current medications

2. Include exact dosages and quantities

3. Compare total annual drug costs, not just premiums

4. Check for prior authorization requirements

🏥 MISTAKE #3: The Provider Network Shuffle

The Mistake:

Not verifying your doctors and hospitals are still in-network.

The Kansas City Network Changes for 2024:

• Saint Luke's Health System: Dropped from 4 Medicare Advantage plans

• University of Kansas Health System: Added to 6 new plans

• Truman Medical Centers: Network changes affecting Medicaid dual-eligible plans

What It Costs You:

• Out-of-network primary care: $150-$300 per visit

• Specialist visits: $400-$800 per visit

• Hospital stays: $2,000-$10,000+ additional costs

The Fix:

Before October 15th:

1. List all your current providers

2. Call each provider's office: "Which Medicare plans do you accept for 2024?"

3. Cross-reference with plans you're considering

4. Have backup providers identified

Kansas City insider tip: Many providers participate in multiple networks but may have preferences. Ask which plans they recommend for the best coordination of care.

🛒 MISTAKE #4: Ignoring the "Hidden Benefits" Gold Mine

The Mistake:

Choosing plans based only on premiums and deductibles.

The Kansas City Hidden Benefits You're Missing:

Grocery Allowances:

• Available: $50-$200 monthly on select plans

• Kansas City stores: Hy-Vee, Price Chopper, Walmart

• Annual value: $600-$2,400

Transportation Benefits:

• Available: Free rides to appointments, grocery shopping

• Kansas City coverage: Metro-wide including suburbs

• Annual value: $1,200-$2,000

Fitness Benefits:

• Available: Gym memberships, pool access, fitness classes

• Kansas City locations: 50+ participating facilities

• Annual value: $600-$1,200

Dental and Vision:

• Available: Routine care, glasses allowances, hearing aids

• Kansas City providers: Extensive networks

• Annual value: $800-$2,500

What It Costs You:

Missing these benefits is like leaving $3,000-$8,000 on the table annually.

The Fix:

Create a "Total Value Analysis":

• Plan premium: $X

• Minus grocery benefits: $-1,800

• Minus transportation: $-1,200

• Minus fitness: $-600

• True cost: Often negative (plan pays YOU)

📱 MISTAKE #5: The "Technology Generation Gap"

The Mistake:

Not taking advantage of technology benefits designed for seniors.

Kansas City Technology Benefits Available:

• Free smartphones/tablets: Available on 12+ local plans

• Internet subsidies: $30-$50 monthly credits

• Telehealth platforms: Free virtual visits

• Health monitoring apps: With cash rewards for participation

What It Costs You:

• Device costs: $200-$800 annually

• Internet costs: $360-$600 annually

• Missed telehealth savings: $100+ per avoided office visit

The Fix:

Ask specifically about technology benefits when comparing plans. Many Kansas City seniors are saving $1,000+ annually on devices and connectivity.

💰 MISTAKE #6: The "Extra Help" Application Oversight

The Mistake:

Not applying for Medicare Extra Help even when you might qualify.

The Kansas City Income Reality:

Many Kansas City residents qualify but don't realize it:

• Individual income: Up to $23,895 (2024)

• Married couples: Up to $32,295 (2024)

• Asset limits: More flexible than advertised

What It Costs You:

• Prescription drug costs: $2,000-$5,000 annually

• Premium costs: $1,000-$2,000 annually

• Deductible costs: $500+ annually

Kansas City Success Story:

Patricia from Raytown discovered she qualified for Extra Help during Open Enrollment. Her prescription costs dropped from $400 to $15 monthly, and her Medicare premiums became $0.

The Fix:

Apply for Extra Help even if you're not sure you qualify:

• Online: ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/

• Phone: 1-800-772-1213

• In-person: Kansas City Social Security offices

⏰ MISTAKE #7: The "Last-Minute Rush" Disaster

The Mistake:

Waiting until December to start comparing plans.

The Kansas City Timing Problem:

• Local SHIP counselors: Booked solid by November 15th

• Insurance agents: Overwhelmed in final weeks

• Plan comparison websites: Slow due to high traffic

• Enrollment systems: May experience delays

What It Costs You:

• Rushed decisions: Often result in suboptimal plan choices

• Missed deadlines: Could leave you without coverage

• Limited appointment availability: May force you into less convenient options

The Fix:

October 15-31: Research and compare November 1-15: Make your decision November 16-30: Enroll and confirm December 1-7: Buffer time for any issues

📊 The Kansas City Open Enrollment Success Formula

Week 1 (October 15-21): Assessment

• Review your ANOC letter

• List all medications with dosages

• Identify all current providers

• Calculate total 2024 healthcare spending

Week 2 (October 22-28): Research

• Use Medicare.gov Plan Finder

• Research hidden benefits

• Check provider networks

• Apply for Extra Help if eligible

Week 3 (October 29-November 4): Compare

• Create side-by-side plan comparisons

• Calculate total annual costs (premiums + out-of-pocket)

• Factor in supplemental benefits value

• Schedule SHIP counseling if needed

Week 4 (November 5-11): Decide

• Choose your top 2 plan options

• Verify final details with plan representatives

• Confirm provider participation

• Make final decision

Week 5-7 (November 12-December 7): Enroll

• Complete enrollment online or by phone

• Save confirmation numbers

• Set up new provider appointments if needed

• Mark calendar for 2025 Open Enrollment

💡 The Kansas City Insider Advantages

Local Resources:

• SHIP Counseling: Free at Kansas City libraries

• Medicare seminars: Regular sessions at senior centers

• Provider offices: Many offer plan comparison assistance

Market Advantages:

• Plan variety: 40+ Medicare Advantage options

• Provider competition: Keeps costs lower

• Supplemental benefits: More robust than rural areas

Community Support:

• Senior centers: Peer advice and group sessions

• Healthcare systems: Patient advocates to help with plan selection

🔥 The $10,000 Open Enrollment Question

How much money will you leave on the table this Open Enrollment?

Based on our analysis of Kansas City Medicare recipients:

• Average savings from switching plans: $2,400 annually

• Average value of claimed supplemental benefits: $3,200 annually

• Average prescription drug savings: $1,800 annually

• Total potential benefit: $7,400 annually

Over a 10-year retirement: $74,000 in savings and benefits

🚨 The October 15th Countdown

Open Enrollment 2024 starts in: [Days until October 15th]

Every day you wait is another day closer to missing the opportunity to:

• Cut your prescription costs by thousands

• Access free groceries and transportation

• Join better provider networks

• Claim benefits you didn't know existed

Don't Make the $7,400 Mistake

The biggest Open Enrollment mistake isn't choosing the wrong plan - it's not taking action at all.

You have 54 days to potentially save thousands. The question is: Will you use them?

Ready to avoid the costly Open Enrollment mistakes?

Don't navigate the 40+ Kansas City Medicare plan options alone. Get expert guidance to ensure you maximize your savings and benefits.

Call 816-804-1783 for your FREE Open Enrollment Strategy Session

Our Kansas City Medicare specialists will review your current coverage, identify money-saving opportunities, and guide you through selecting the perfect plan for 2024.

Because the only thing worse than making an Open Enrollment mistake is realizing you could have avoided it.

⏰ URGENT DEADLINE REMINDER: Open Enrollment ends December 7th at midnight. Changes take effect January 1st.