Open Enrollment Period for Medicare

On October 15th, Medicare begins open enrollment for all new enrollees and anyone currently on Medicare who would like to make changes to their care plan. The period runs through December 10th and Medicare advises this is the time for all enrollees to review their current plan.

Medicare.gov suggests looking at several things to see if you can save money or find better coverage, or both. Begin by logging into your secure account and look to see if there will be any changes to your current plan next year. Use the estimated "Yearly Drug & Premium Cost” sheet to compare your current coverage for drugs and pharmacies to other options available in your area to see if you can reduce your costs.

If you are new to Medicare, you should know about screenings and doctor visits that are available for free. The first is a welcome to Medicare visit that is a basic check-up to update and review your medical and personal history as well as current medications. If lab tests are ordered, depending on your Medicare plan, you may be responsible for up to 20 percent of the costs.

Medicare also pays for a yearly wellness visit. This is not a physical examination but rather a discussion on your current health needs and any changes you have experienced or can expect. Again, depending on your plan, diabetes, cholesterol, lung, prostate, colorectal cancers and other screenings are free. Many of the CDC’s recommended vaccines are also free.

If you are on Social Security, you will be interested to know the Social Security Administration just announced the monthly COLA for 2025. Beneficiaries will receive a 2.5 percent increase in their monthly payments next year. This is the lowest cost-of-living-adjustment in the last four years and reflects a decrease in inflationary costs.

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Source : aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-2023/free-medicare-services.html