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When you shop for a home, what do you look for? First, you probably ask yourself if it’s in the right location. Second, you take a look at the size of the home to ensure it’s big enough. Third, you check out the cost to see that it fits your budget. And lastly, you look at the amenities and any other bells and whistles that can push that home past the competition.

While you may not look at those factors when shopping for a Medicare plan, the process is somewhat similar. You have certain things you look for and need in the plan, and you see how the competition stacks up before making that final decision.

To help you complete this process and pick the right plan, be sure to ask yourself the following four questions as you shop around:

1. Are the out-of-pocket costs too high?

A Medicare plan is supposed to help you manage the high costs of healthcare. There are many costs involved, though, and if you don’t factor them all in, you could get sticker shock later on.

Keep a close eye on those out-of-pocket expenses, as they can add up in a hurry. In particular, see what the plan costs in terms of:

• Prescription costs
• Deductibles
• Copays
• Coinsurance
• Maximums

Do you have to be a mathematician to add all of those up and compare them across plans? You could, but there’s no need to if you use the Medicare Plan Finder. It can save you a ton of time when shopping for a Medicare plan during open enrollment, and it offers quick, concise comparisons for not only costs but also other factors.

2. Are your doctors included? What about pharmacies?

Nothing beats the familiarity and peace of mind that comes with being able to stick with the same doctor or pharmacy. This is your health we’re talking about, and there’s a certain sense of trust that comes into play that’s not easily gained with a new provider.

As such, look at in-network providers when comparing plans. If you see a plan you like, make sure your doctor or pharmacy is part of the network, so you don’t have to switch. Use the Medicare Plan Finder for a helping hand in this regard.

3. Does the plan offer all of the benefits you need?

You may want a simple Medicare plan that’s budget-friendly, or you may want all of the bells and whistles. If the latter is your pick, a Medicare Advantage plan could give you added benefits that cover dental, vision, hearing, etc.

When using the Medicare Plan Finder, benefits will be listed so you can easily compare them across plans.

4. Is the plan properly rated?

When you buy an item online via Amazon, for example, you probably look at reviews. Why? To see that you’ll get a quality product in exchange for your hard-earned cash.

How can you do this with Medicare plans? By looking at their ratings. If the plan has the highest rating of five stars, you know you’ll probably be pleased with what it has to offer versus one with a 3-star rating.