“Do your own research”: What Medicare’s annual open enrollment circus teaches us about the seductive trap of DIY health and science Henry Miller | October 29, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/10/29/do-your-own-research-what-medicares-annual-open-enrollment-circus-teaches-us-about-the-seductive-trap-of-diy-health-and-science/ A striking example of the dubiousness of that maxim is the annual rite of fall for seniors—Medicare’s Open Enrollment period, which extends through December 7. The government opens the door for beneficiaries to compare dozens of plans, each with its own premiums, deductibles, drug formularies, and provider networks, and to choose the one that best fits their health and their budget. Tens of millions of older Americans are told, in effect, to do their own research about which plan to choose, but many people do not review their options at all.