HARRISBURG, PA — As the annual Medicare open enrollment period swiftly approaches, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) is actively reminding senior citizens to review their health plans and make any necessary adjustments. The enrollment window, running from October 15 to December 7, provides Medicare beneficiaries the opportunity to select new coverage or modify existing plans, with changes taking effect on January 1, 2025.
This period serves as a critical time for new enrollees to sign up for Medicare Prescription Drug coverage and complementary health plans while allowing current beneficiaries to reassess their healthcare needs. They may opt to join, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Coverage to ensure their plan aligns with their requirements.
To aid beneficiaries in navigating these choices, the PDA offers free and unbiased health benefits counseling through the Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight program, commonly known as PA MEDI. Available at the state’s 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), PA MEDI provides invaluable assistance in plan comparisons, enrollment processes, and determining eligibility for Pennsylvania’s Medicare cost-savings programs.
Significant updates to Medicare coming in 2025 include a new $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs, the removal of the “donut hole” coverage gap for prescriptions, and an optional payment plan to spread drug costs over time. Additionally, Medicare Part B will expand its coverage to include Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention without requiring co-pays or deductibles.
Susan Neff, PA MEDI director, encourages older adults to review their plans: “If an older adult hasn’t reviewed their Medicare plan in recent years, now may be the time to check in. PA MEDI can help older adults compare all aspects of Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plans by looking at overall costs, provider networks, supplemental benefits, prior authorization requirements, and drug formularies.”
Importantly, PA MEDI counselors maintain neutrality and do not sell insurance products or endorse any specific insurance company or agent. Their primary focus is to guide beneficiaries towards optimizing their healthcare coverage.
For those interested in learning more about PA MEDI, becoming a volunteer, or accessing additional support, the PDA’s website and the PA MEDI Helpline at 1-800-783-7067 are available resources, operational Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
PA MEDI enjoys support from the Administration for Community Living (ACL), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with a financial assistance award of $1.9 million fully funded by ACL/HHS. The views expressed in the program do not necessarily reflect the official stance of ACL/HHS or the U.S. Government.
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