Plan Now For Coming 2025 Medicare Changes

Plan now for the significant Medicare changes coming in 2025.Photo byAmerican Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance

Just over 67 million Americans are enrolled in Medicare, according to the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance.

It's important to know that some changes are coming in 2025. These modifications will affect spending limits for prescription drugs. They will also introduce improvements designed to provide better healthcare to seniors.

Here's what you need to know about 4 significant changes and some suggested DO NOWs.

1. Expect Medicare drug plans to change. Due to many factors, expect whatever drug coverage you have to change. Medicare gives all seniors a once-a-year opportunity to review costs and coverage for the coming year. According to the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance (AAMSI), doing a comparison during Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) can save you hundreds of dollars.

DO NOW: Prepare a list of medications you take. When AEP begins on October 15th use one of the free online Medicare drug plan comparison tools to look up your 2025 costs.

2. Changes for those who take many costly drugs.

Starting next year, seniors covered by Part D will have a $2,000 out-of-pocket limit. This applies only to medications paid for by Part D. If you take multiple costly prescription drug plans this can save you many thousands of dollars.

DO NOW: Ask your doctor about any changes they anticipate in your drug regimen for 2025. You'll definitely want to research to find the best Medicare drug plans when AEP begins or speak to a local Medicare insurance agent who can compare various plans available in your area.

3. Changes will benefit those with Medicare Advantage plan coverage.

One of the reasons Medicare Advantage plans have grown in popularity is the availability of free benefits. These can include dental, vision and hearing. But many seniors are not taking advantage of these benefits. Thus, Medicare Advantage plans will be required to provide you with a "Mid-Year Enrollee Notification of Unused Supplemental Benefits". This notification will list all supplemental benefits your plan covers that you didn't use during the first half of the year.

DO NOW: More than 99% of Medicare Advantage Plans offer at least one supplemental benefit according to AAMSI. If you've had your plan for a number of years, it could be smart to get an updated list of benefits available before the year ends.

3. A change to how insurance agents are compensated.

Starting in 2025 the government will pay $100 more per enrollment to agents who sign seniors up for Medicare Advantage Plans or Medicare Part D for the first time. It will also require the end of company-paid-for sales incentives and bonuses. The hope is that providing agents with fair initial compensation remove the steering of seniors towards plans that may not be a good fit.

DO NOW: If you are unhappy with your plan for any reason, set an appointment now to discuss 2025 offerings. Many local Medicare insurance agents are booked solid once Medicare's Open Enrollment begins. Call now so you are at the head of the line come October.

Jesse Slome is director of the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance (AAMSI). Slome advocates for smarter Medicare decision making and ways to save. Click the Follow Slome button on Newsbreak to get future updates.