• Understand that you may need to get approval from the plan
before it will cover certain services or supplies.
• Check your plan’s Star Rating to see how it performs on quality,
customer service and more.
Medicare Can Help
To compare options and fi nd the best coverage to fi t your needs:
• Visit Medicare.gov and conduct side-by-side comparisons of
costs and coverage.
• Call 1-800-MEDICARE. Help is available 24 hours a day, including
• Access personalized health insurance counseling in your community
at no cost, available from your State Health Insurance Assistance
Program (SHIP). Visit shiphelp.org or call 1-800-MEDICARE
10002501
Medicare Open Enrollment Open Through Dec. 7
Reviewing your Medicare options could save you money
Family Features
If you’re enrolled in Medicare, it’s important to remember
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from Oct. 15 through Dec.
7 each year. Th is is the time for people with Medicare to compare
their prescription drug and health coverage options for the
upcoming year.
NEW THIS YEAR
Th e new prescription drug law is lowering out-of-pocket costs on
covered prescriptions. New in 2025, all Medicare plans will include
a $2,000 annual cap on what you pay out-of-pocket for prescription
drugs under Medicare Part D. Th e cap only applies to drugs that are
covered by your plan, so it’s more important than ever to review your
plan options to make sure your drugs are covered. Th at means you
will not pay more than $2,000 in 2025 on prescription drugs covered
under Medicare prescription drug coverage - that includes expensive
prescription drugs to treat cancer, chronic illnesses and more.
Th is is in addition to improvements already in eff ect due to the prescription
drug law including a $35 cap on a month’s supply of each
covered insulin product - and no out-of-pocket costs for recommended
adult vaccines covered under Part D, including the shingles vaccine.
Also starting in 2025, you can choose to spread your out-of-pocket
drug costs across the calendar year instead of paying all at once at the
pharmacy. It’s called the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. You
can opt in with your plan in advance of Jan. 1 and throughout 2025.
How to Compare Prescription Drug
and Health Coverage Options
Medicare.gov is the offi cial source for information about Medicare
and Open Enrollment. Start here to get unbiased information to
fi nd the type of coverage that best meets your needs.
Comparing prescription drug and health coverage options is easy at
Medicare.gov. Get started by clicking on “Find Plans.” Th en enter
your ZIP code, current prescriptions and favorite pharmacies. You
will see a side-by-side comparison of the total cost for all the plans
in your area, including the premium and how much you’ll pay for
your prescriptions. You’ll also be able to see what plans cover your
prescriptions and whether some plans off er extra benefi ts. If you are
happy with your current choice, you don’t have to do anything. If
you choose a new option for 2025, you can enroll on Mediare.gov.
Before you enroll in a plan,
consider this advice:
• Check if your health care providers are in a plan’s network.
• Check if your prescriptions are included on a plan’s formulary and
if the plan works with your pharmacy.
• Review a plan’s estimated total costs to you, including deductible
and other out-of-pocket costs. Remember low monthly premiums
may not always be the best overall value for your specifi c needs.
• Check if Medicare Advantage plans off er extra benefi ts, like vision,
hearing or dental coverage, if you need these services.
weekends.
for locations near you.
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