Neighborhood NewsLifestyle & WellnessPublic Interest

Big changes coming to Medicare choices for 2025

With Medicare open enrollment having begun on Oct. 15, participants should be aware of big changes are coming for 2025.

Starting in January, some health care providers may no longer be “in-network” for certain Medicare Advantage Plans. New benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act also kick in, such as a new maximum $2,000 dollar cap on prescription drugs and a new payment plan option to make paying for prescriptions more manageable.

Changes in Medicare Advantage plans mean an estimated 60,000 Minnesotans currently have providers, clinics and hospitals that will no longer be in-network. Some beneficiaries will have to change doctors or change their Medicare Advantage Plan during open enrollment to get their health care coverage back in sync.

Open enrollment, which runs through Dec. 7, is the time each year when beneficiaries can make adjustments to their Medicare plans.

Also coming in 2025 is a new $2,000 maximum out-of-pocket limit on Medicare Part D prescription drugs. Once beneficiaries reach this amount, they don’t have to pay for their covered prescriptions for the rest of the year. Best of all, enrollment is automatic, so people don’t have to do anything to receive this benefit.

Also new in the coming year is the Medicare Prescription Drug Payment Plan, or MPPP. It helps people manage out-of-pocket costs for covered drugs by spreading costs across the calendar year. Instead of paying at the pharmacy, people pay a monthly amount to their health plan or drug plan. The MPPP is optional, so beneficiaries must contact their Medicare health or drug plan to enroll.

If you need help with Medicare, you have options:

  • Online: Visit www.Medicare.gov to create an account, compare plans and enroll.
  • Phone: Call 1-800-MEDICARE, available 24/7.
  • Senior LinkAge Line: Call 800-333-2433 for free help with Medicare in Minnesota, open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *