The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from Oct 15 to Dec 7 every year. This is when you can join, drop, or switch your healthcare coverage
Annual Enrollment 2024 is especially important because of policy changes made earlier this year. These policy changes will go into effect from Jan 1, 2025, and may impact your healthcare coverage.
To be sure you are properly covered in 2025, carefully read the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) sent by your healthcare plan. This document defines all the ways your healthcare coverage may (or may not) change in the coming year.
Download the Medicare Cheat Sheet 2025
When going through your Annual Notice of Change:
- Pay special attention to your Part D prescription drug plan
For the year 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have cut down out-of-pocket costs for drugs and capped the limit at $2,000.
This means you will pay no more than $2,000 for medications during the entire year.
However, because of the cap it is possible that plan providers may revise their drug lists. Drugs may be moved from one price tier to another, new drugs may be added, and alternative brands may be substituted for your current brand.
Check your individual plan’s formulary to be certain the medications you need are listed for 2025.
- Consider your need for telehealth
For many senior adults with mobility concerns, telehealth is useful and convenient.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth was available for most senior patients having Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or Medicare Advantage (Part C). It didn’t matter if you were in the city or country; if you wanted them, and your health plan covered them, you could get telehealth services.
From Jan 1st, 2025, barring certain exceptions, Original Medicare will limit telehealth services only to patients in rural areas, and only when the patient is present in a recognized medical facility.
However, the matter is currently under consideration, so it is possible that provision of telehealth services may be extended in light of patient requirements.
Meanwhile, Medicare Advantage plans may offer wider and more flexible coverage for telehealth services. If these are important to you, make sure to read your plan’s ANOC to check for updates that may affect you.
Guidance from Experts
If the thought of navigating healthcare plans makes you anxious, call our Patient Relations Team for guidance and awareness on any questions you have.
Speak to a Patient Relations Team member at (800) 941-1106, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm CST, Monday to Friday.