It's common for Medicare Advantage plans to require prior authorizations for tests or procedures that are out of the ordinary. The reason is that these tests tend to cost insurers more to cover, so you may have to jump through some hoops to get them approved.

Medicare's fall open enrollment period is rapidly winding down. At this point, you only have about another week to make changes to your coverage for 2025. And if you're enrolled in Medicare Advantage, you may be thinking of switching to a new plan for the new year.

Deciding between Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare with Medigap? Learn the key differences, costs, and factors to consider for smarter healthcare planning.

Deciding between Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare with Medigap? Get expert advice about the key differences, costs and factors to consider for smarter healthcare planning.

But unfortunately, because Medicare is a complex program consisting of different parts, a lot of retirees end up unclear about its rules. And that's a problem. If you're approaching retirement, it's important that you understand Medicare's ins and outs.