And How to Avoid Costly Surprises
After helping Huntington residents navigate Medicare for many years, I can tell you something with confidence:
Most Medicare mistakes are not made because people are careless.
They’re made because people are rushed, overwhelmed, or given incomplete information.
Medicare is important. The decisions you make can affect your doctors, your costs, and your peace of mind for years — but they don’t have to be stressful.
Let’s walk through the most common Medicare mistakes I see locally, and more importantly, how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Choosing a Medicare Plan Because Someone Else Likes It
This is one of the most common mistakes — and it’s very understandable.
A friend, neighbor, sibling, or coworker says:
“I love my plan — you should get it too.”
Their advice is usually well-intentioned, but Medicare is highly personal.
People have different:
- Doctors and specialists
- Health conditions
- Prescription needs
- Budgets
- Travel habits
A plan that works perfectly for one Huntington resident may be a poor fit for another — even if they live on the same street.
How to avoid it:
Choose coverage based on your doctors, your needs, and your lifestyle — not someone else’s experience.
Mistake #2: Not Understanding Original Medicare First
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) is the foundation of all Medicare coverage — yet many people skip over it.
What often gets missed:
- There is no out-of-pocket maximum
- Medicare generally covers about 80% of approved services
- Prescription drugs are not included
Without understanding this foundation, it’s easy to choose additional coverage for the wrong reasons.
How to avoid it:
Always understand how Original Medicare works before comparing Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement options.
Mistake #3: Focusing Only on the Monthly Premium
It’s natural to look at the monthly cost first — but this can be misleading.
Some plans with low premiums may come with:
- Smaller provider networks
- Higher copays when care is needed
- Prior authorization requirements
Other plans may cost more monthly but offer:
- Broader doctor access
- Fewer surprises
- More predictable long-term costs
How to avoid it:
Look at the total picture — not just the monthly price.
Mistake #4: Assuming All Medicare Advantage Plans Are the Same
This is a big one.
Even plans from the same insurance company can be very different. Every Medicare Advantage plan has:
- Its own network
- Its own list of doctors and hospitals
- Its own copays and approval rules
And it’s important to understand this key fact:
No Medicare Advantage plan offers doctor access anywhere near as broad as Original Medicare.
That doesn’t make Medicare Advantage bad — but it does mean the trade-offs must be understood.
How to avoid it:
Always review plans at the plan level, not just the company name, and always check your doctors.
Mistake #5: Calling the First 1-800 Number You See
Medicare has become big business.
Large marketing organizations spend millions of dollars on ads designed to push urgency and emotion — encouraging people to call a 1-800 number quickly.
When you do, you’re usually speaking with someone who:
- Doesn’t know you
- Doesn’t know your doctors
- Doesn’t know Huntington
- May be limited in which plans they can discuss
How to avoid it:
Slow the process down. Medicare decisions deserve thoughtful, local guidance — not rushed conversations.
Mistake #6: Not Taking Advantage of New York’s Consumer Protections
This is one of the biggest missed opportunities I see.
Huntington residents benefit from strong New York protections, including guaranteed issue rights for Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans.
That means:
- You generally cannot be denied coverage due to health
- You cannot be charged more because of medical history
- You have flexibility to adjust coverage over time
Many people don’t realize how powerful this is — and never plan around it.
How to avoid it:
Understand your rights and build a Medicare strategy that can evolve as your needs change.
Mistake #7: Treating Medicare as a One-Time Decision
Healthcare changes. Life changes. Plans change.
Yet many people enroll once and never review their coverage again — even when:
- Doctors change
- Prescriptions change
- Costs increase
- Networks change
How to avoid it:
Think of Medicare as an ongoing relationship, not a one-time transaction. Annual reviews matter.
The Good News: Most Medicare Mistakes Are Preventable
Here’s the reassuring part.
For many people, getting on Medicare is a huge improvement over prior coverage — or having no coverage at all.
No matter which Medicare path you choose, most people experience:
- Better access to care
- More predictable costs
- Greater peace of mind
Mistakes don’t happen because people don’t care — they happen because people aren’t given clear, honest explanations.
Final Thoughts for Huntington Residents
Medicare decisions don’t have to be rushed.
They don’t have to be confusing.
And they don’t have to be made alone.
The best Medicare decisions are made with:
- Education instead of pressure
- Clarity instead of urgency
- A plan built around you, not marketing
If you’d like help reviewing your options or avoiding these common mistakes, I’m always happy to help — no pressure, just honest guidance.
👉 Learn more about Medicare help in Huntington, NY
👉 Schedule a free, no-pressure Medicare consultation
Education comes first. Confidence follows.
