What are the upcoming changes to Medicare?

Beginning in January 2025, some doctors, clinics and hospitals may no longer be under some Medicare Advantage Plans.

New benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act will also start. Those benefits include a $2,000 yearly maximum out of pocket cost for prescription drugs. There is also a new payment plan option to help make paying for prescriptions easier.

What does the change to Medicare Advantage Plans mean?

Changes to Medicare Advantage plans mean that about 60,000 Minnesotans may have doctors, clinics, or hospitals that will no longer be under their plan. Some people will have to change doctors or change their Medicare Advantage Plan, because if your doctor is no longer under your plan, you will have to pay the full cost of the visit.

What is the new maximum out-of-pocket for prescriptions?

In 2025 there will be a new $2,000 limit on out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Part D prescription drugs. Once you spend $2000, you don't need to pay for your covered prescriptions for the rest of the year.

If you don’t have Medicare Part D, you can enroll.

If you have Medicare Part D, you don’t need to do anything to get this benefit.

What is the new Medicare Prescription Drug Payment Plan (MPPP)?

Another change for 2025 is the Medicare Prescription Drug Payment Plan (MPPP). This allows you to pay the same amount for your prescriptions each month, instead of the full cost at one time.

The MPPP is optional, so if you want to use it, you need to contact Medicare to enroll.

When is open enrollment?

Open enrollment is the time each year when people can make changes to their Medicare plans. Medicare Advantage open enrollment is from Tuesday, October 15 through Saturday, December 7, 2024.

If you need help

If you need help with Medicare, you have three options:

Online: Visit www.Medicare.gov.

Phone: Using your choice of relay service, call 1-800-MEDICARE, available 24/7.

Senior LinkAge Line: Using your choice of relay service, call 800-333-2433 for free help with Medicare in Minnesota, open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.