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yesterday

Medicare Open Enrollment Begins as Millions Face Plan Cuts and Cost Changes

The enrollment window will put displaced beneficiaries to work finding new coverage while testing federal protections and counseling resources.

FILE - A Medicare Advantage PPO card rests on top of a Medicare card in Portland, Ore., June 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
Ron Oliveira gets his blood pressure taken by dietician and exercise physiologist Nikky Dhawan at St. David's Medical Center. Make sure you have all types of healthcare covered including in-patient and out-patient therapies when picking a Medicare plan.
People participate in a rally on the 61st Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, across from Bellevue Hospital in New York City in July.
Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, speaks in Washington, DC, in September.

Overview

  • Open enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7 and is the annual period when people can switch Medicare Advantage plans, change Part D drug plans, or move between Original Medicare and Advantage.
  • Insurer actions have left roughly 2.9 million beneficiaries affected by the termination of about 680 Medicare Advantage plans, forcing many people to shop for replacement coverage before January.
  • Major policy shifts that take effect January 1, 2027 include negotiated prices for 15 high‑cost drugs (including several GLP‑1 medicines) and an increase in the Part D out‑of‑pocket cap to $2,400.
  • Officials warn of heightened scam activity during enrollment and remind people that CMS will not call to request personal information; beneficiaries can use Medicare.gov Plan Finder, ANOCs, SHIP hotlines, and 1‑800‑MEDICARE for help.
  • People whose Advantage plans end have a protected path back to Original Medicare and 63 days to buy Medigap without medical underwriting, and beneficiaries with ongoing care should check formularies and provider networks to avoid disruptions.