For retired Americans who receive Medicare, the new calendar year in January will bring with it some changes they will need to know about to help them manage their finances, as well as their health.
Generally speaking, hospital insurance is covered by Medicare Part A. Assuming people paid their Medicare taxes while they were working, a premium is not required. Deductibles, however, are often required during hospital stays.
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Outpatient and preventive costs are covered by Medicare Part B. In 2024, the standard monthly premium is $174.70. If a retiree has a higher income, that premium can increase as well. This increase is the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA).
The premium for Medicare Part B is expected to slightly increase in 2025, and an announcement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) explaining the details should arrive soon.
Medicare Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, is a Medicare health plan private companies offer that covers benefits typically included in Parts A and B. It often includes Part D prescription drug coverage as well.
And Medicare Part D drug coverage has a big change coming in 2025 that many Medicare enrollees will be happy to learn about.
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New Medicare law caps prescription drug costs
Next year, a new prescription drug legal requirement takes effect, capping yearly out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000.
This means that for those enrolled in Part D coverage and whose annual prescription drug costs are higher than $2,000, they will not have to pay a copayment or coinsurance for Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year.
Another new option for payments takes effect in 2025. Beneficiaries will now be able to spread their drug costs across monthly payments throughout the year.
More on Medicare:
- Medicare changes will impact your wallet in 2025
- Humana hit by troubling Medicare Advantage change
- Medicare Open Enrollment period: What you need to know
Medicare will also cover more support for caregivers, such as training to increase their ability to improve care for enrollees. This includes a new pilot program for both people living with dementia and support for their caregivers.
And the Federal Employee Health Benefits program will offer coverage for U.S. Postal Service employees, retirees and their families through a new initiative.
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Medicare Part D late enrollment penalties.
There are some more details the CMS wants enrollees to know about Part D late enrollment penalties.
“You may have to pay a late
enrollment penalty if you enroll at any time after your Initial Enrollment Period
is over and there’s a period of 63 or more days in a row when you don’t have
Medicare drug coverage or other creditable prescription drug coverage,” according to medicare.gov. “You’ll generally have to pay the penalty for as long as you have Medicare drug
coverage.”
Medicare describes three ways to avoid paying a penalty.
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First, it’s important for beneficiaries to get Medicare drug coverage when they are first eligible. This applies even if the enrollee isn’t currently taking any medications.
Second, recipients should add Medicare drug coverage in the event they lose other creditable coverage.
If enrollees go 63 days or more in a row without Medicare drug coverage
or other creditable prescription drug coverage, they may have to pay a
penalty when signing up for Medicare drug coverage later.
Third, it is recommended that recipients keep records showing when they had other drug
coverage, and to prioritizing telling their plan about it.
More details on specific Medicare premium increases are expected later this fall.
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