Open enrollment checklist: 7 things to do before November ends

The checklist

• Confirm your doctors and any specialists are still in-network for next year.
• Check the formulary for every prescription you take regularly.
• Re-estimate household income for subsidy purposes.
• Compare your renewal to at least two other plans, not just last year's plan.
• Confirm dental and vision are still bundled the way you expect.
• Update dependents — new babies, kids aging off, divorces.
• Ask your broker: "What changed in this plan versus last year?"

That last question is the one most people skip. Plans quietly tweak networks, copays, and drug tiers every year. A 10-minute review now is worth a lot of headaches in March.