Contact:
Simona Combi
Public Relations Manager
571-527-3982
simona.combi@ncoa.org

Oct. 8, 2024, Arlington, VA—The National Council on Aging (NCOA), the national voice for every person’s right to age well, encourages everyone with Medicare to check if their plan still meets their needs during this year’s Medicare Open Enrollment, from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2024. For those who switch plans, coverage starts on Jan. 1, 2025.

“Medicare plan coverage and prices can change from year to year, and so can your health situation,” said Jen Teague, NCOA’s Director for Health Coverage and Benefits.

Open Enrollment is an important time to review your plan to make sure it still covers the medications and services you need.”

Research shows that 7 in 10 individuals did not compare Medicare plans in 2022. Enrollees who do not comparison shop might end up spending more or keeping a plan that does not meet their needs.

Individuals can get free help reviewing their plan by contacting their local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) office. SHIPs are in every state, and they offer in-depth and objective insurance counseling to Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers.

New for 2025, people with Medicare Part D prescription drug plans will benefit from these provisions that take effect January 1:

• An annual cap of $2,000 in annual out-of-pocket costs, thanks to a provision in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
• The option to spread out their out-of-pocket costs over the year instead of paying high out-of-pocket costs in any given month. Consumers will have to contact their insurance plan or submit a Medicare Prescription Payment Plan election request form to choose this option.

Open Enrollment also is a good time for people with Medicare to check if they are eligible for programs that can help them afford their health care coverage. These include:

• Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), which help eligible beneficiaries pay for Medicare premiums, deductibles, and co-insurance. NCOA’s Benefits Participation Map shows that only 46.4% of eligible individuals were enrolled in the program.
• The Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), which can save eligible beneficiaries an average of almost $500 per month on prescriptions. More than 2 million adults 65+ who are eligible for LIS are not enrolled.

Individuals can check if they may be eligible for these programs by using NCOA’s free BenefitsCheckUp® website or calling our toll-free helpline at 844-902-2425, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.

About NCOA 
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. We believe that how we age should not be determined by gender, color, sexuality, income, or zip code. Working with thousands of national and local partners, we provide resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy to ensure every person can age with health and financial security. Founded in 1950, we are the oldest national organization focused on older adults. Learn more at www.ncoa.org and @NCOAging.